BADGER CRIME TRAINING SESSIONS
WHO CARRIES OUT THE TRAINING?
Obviously to carry out this type of training the trainers will have a lengthy badger related CV and experience in :-
1. Attending a Court of Law in badger crime cases
2. Giving Evidence in Court
3. Discovering a badger dig
4. Coming face to face with badger diggers
5. Having a good knowledge of badger ecology and other wildlife who may also inhabit a badger sett, ie fox.
So training sessions other than those offered by the Rural Task Force, RSPCA, Badger Trust, etc, will be delivered by Selby and Goole Badger Watch together with a colleague from another Badger Group who is a very experienced badger sett monitor, and is currently devising some exciting training sessions in the future.
These sessions will take place in woodland in the Selby area and will involve some true to life scenarios should you find a badger sett which has been dug or is in the process of being dug.
Watch this space for an update on this training.
TRAINING - BADGER SETT MONITORING
It is important to read this section on training. We would really love more proactive members who are willing to be trained and have the time and commitment to visit a badger sett or setts on a regular basis and write up their findings. Every member will be trained to the same high level of competence so that collectively we are working to the same standards and producing records which are both credible and accurate.
However, if you are unable to undertake badger sett monitoring, but would like to help in some other way, then please do get in touch. We would love to hear from you too.
FIRST THINGS FIRST....
So, after you have made the initial contact with our Group, we will meet up for coffee and have a chat. That way, you have the opportunity to ask questions and decide if it's for you.
If you then decide to go ahead:-
The first part of your training will be a Powerpoint presentation which covers all aspects of badger awareness. This lasts for approximately one hour and afterwards there is an opportunity to ask questions.
VISIT TO AN ACTIVE BADGER SETT
The second stage of your training will take place at an active badger sett. You will be shown all the signs of an active badger sett and why these signs tell us that the sett is in current use. The words "in current use" become very important in a Court of Law should the sett be attacked or destroyed.
VISIT TO THE SECOND ACTIVE BADGER SETT
So the next part of your training will involve going to another active badger sett. This time however, you will be pointing out and explaining why the sett is active and in current use. This really is a good exercise and you will be helped in every way possible.
COMPLETING THE BADGER SETT SURVEY FORM
An important part of being a sett monitor is completing the sett survey form. This must be an accurate and truthful account of what you see. Images of the sett should also be taken with the correct date and time.
A freestanding number is placed at each entrance hole. Each numbered entrance, ie 1, 2, 3 and so forth, is then photographed in it's present state, and recorded, ie active and in current use or not active.
It also helps to draw a sketch of the location and where the entrance holes are.
4G CAMERA TRAPS
We have used a variety of camera traps since they first appeared on the market. We have now progressed to 4G Spypoint cameras which send images directly to your mobile phone immediately they are triggered. We will teach you how to use these cameras, where to position them and more importantly how to stop them from being stolen. We will also cover points of law, accessing land and obtaining permission from the landowner.
RURAL TASK FORCE AND RSPCA TRAINING
Occasionally, the Rural Task Force and the RSPCA hold joint training days on badger crime. This training is very valuable and anyone attending will gain a great deal of knowledge and experience.
FINDING A DISTURBED BADGER SETT
Finding a badger sett which has been attacked or is in the process of being dug can be distressing. This is where all your recording and your images become very important. At first, you may panic, unsure of what to do, so it is vital to remember this word: FARM
F = FIRST contact the police
A = Avoid disturbing the scene/destroying evidence
R = Record what is happening and who is involved
M = Monitor their movements (video/photos/eye witness) if safe to do so. Never place yourself in danger, nor confront them.
REMEMBER THE WORD: FARM
CRIME SCENE - A BADGER DIG
RECOGNISING WHEN A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED
Sadly, it goes without saying that if you are a member of a badger sett monitoring group, then there's a chance that you may discover a dug badger sett or people actually in the process of digging the sett. Part of your training will cover this aspect.
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