Object number
52/279
Description
This spring jawed gin trap was used in the Aylesbury district of Buckinghamshire. It has spring-release serrated jaws and a central bait pan. It is stamped with the inscriptions '51711' and '1X1'.
Physical description
1 hawk trap: metal; worn
Label Text
Hawk trap. This trap was used to capture hawks around the Aylesbury district of Buckinghamshire, likely before 1904 when such traps were made illegal. The inscriptions '1x1' and '51711' are stamped along the edge. Such traps were often used in areas with commercial fisheries to protect fish from predators. Although harmful bird traps such as these are now illegal, sixteen cases of illegal trapping were reported to the RSPB in 2015. Trapping hawks for falconry is still permitted, but requires a government license which are rarely issued. Falconry birds are usually bred in captivity.
Archival history
Letter, Donor to Mr Higgs, 23 October 1952 - '... I am afraid I cannot tell you a lot about the objects I brought in, except that they all were picked up in the vicinity of Buckingham or Aylesbury. ...'
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