Law Spring Traps

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Spring Traps

Listed below are the approved spring traps for grey squirrels that are available to buy today and their conditions of use as set out under the Spring Traps Approval Orders 1995.  In Northern Ireland they are covered by  the Spring Traps Approval Order (Northern Ireland) 1996.  In Scotland they are covered by the Spring Trap Approval Order (Scotland) 1996.

Approved Spring Traps for grey squirrels (other older traps are still legal but not so easy to get hold of)

BMI Magnum 110
BMI Magnum 116                                  
Fenn Trap Mk 4
Fenn Trap Mk 6                            
Springer No4
Springer No6                                                        
Solway Feeders No4
Solway Feeders No6                                              
Victor Conibear 120-2 
Kania Trap 2000
Kania Trap 2500
DOC 150
DOC 200
DOC 250
WCS Tube Trap
Skinns Superior Squirrel Trap                                   
                                                                             
All spring traps must be set in a natural or artificial tunnel which is suitable for the purpose. It is an offence to set any spring trap in the open.

Additional spring traps approved for use in England only.

Seven traps have been added to the approved spring traps order effective from 1st October 2007 - ‘The Spring Traps Approval (Variation) (England) Order 2007’.

A PDF version of the ‘Variation’ can be found at the following link:

Two more traps have been added to the approved spring traps order effective form 1st October 2009 - 'The Spring Traps Approval (Variation) (England) Order 2009'.

A PDF version of the ‘Variation’ can be found at the following link:

This Order varies the Spring Traps Approval Order 1995 ("the 1995 Order") in relation to England only.

[1] – Edible Dormice (glis glis) -  See, however, section 11(2)(b) of, and Schedule 6 to, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (c.69). By virtue of those provisions, whether or not the trap in question is approved by this Order, it is an offence to use any trap for the purpose of taking or killing any dormouse, except pursuant to a licence granted by the appropriate authority under section 16 of that Act.

When trapping near water always check for any signs of otter activity, such as;

* Otter tracks (footprints).

* A regular feeding place such as a rock in midstream, which will be recognised by assorted food remains such as fish bones.

* Otters have regular sites where they deposit their droppings or spraints.

* If in doubt do not set a trap

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