AU2013101384A4

AU2013101384A4 - An animal decoy

Info

Publication number: AU2013101384A4
Application number: AU2013101384A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kirsten Elizabeth Wall; Michael Ian Wall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Wall Kirsten
Priority date: 2013-10-22
Filing date: 2013-10-22
Publication date: 2013-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-22
Also published as: ZA201603455B; WO2015058240A1

Abstract

AN ANIMAL DECOY Abstract A decoy (1) for attracting animals, the decoy is adapted in use to encourage said animals to move location, said decoy (1) including: a base (3); and a representation (2) of at least one said animal, said representation (2) being secured to said base (3); wherein said decoy (1), in use, is positioned by a user in a predetermined location to attract the attention of said animals to encourage said animals to move towards said decoy (1) and thereby move location. Figure 1

Description

1 AN ANIMAL DECOY Field [0001] The present invention relates to the movement of animals and in particular to methods and apparatuses for herding animals. Background [0002] The movement of a group of animals is not typically the result of planning or coordination, but rather each animal responding to the same external circumstances in the same way or choosing a behaviour that mimics that of the majority of the other animals. [0003] An example of this behaviour is a flock of birds that fly together at the same height and in the same direction. Another example is when a group of animals is being hunted. The group of animals attempting to flee act as one, making it harder for the hunter or herder to separate and isolate an individual animal. It is generally believed that the principle behind this behaviour is risk minimisation to protect the group. [0004] Nonetheless, it is often required to control and guide the movement of animals, particularly livestock. An example of this requirement is the need to transport livestock between farms or for export. Another example of this requirement is moving sheep from a paddock to a shearing shed. In these cases, often catching pens or the like are used to funnel and isolate an individual animal. The catching pens are designed to be small and winding, so that the shearer isn't confronted with the task of isolating the animal to be shorn. Further, these areas can be noisy due to operation of the shears and other machinery. [0005] Another method used to guide the movement of animals is to use dogs, horses, motor bikes and even helicopters in a manner that limits the options available for the animals, essentially creating a barrier on either side of the animals, attempting to force the animals to move in a certain direction or along a certain path. This is particularly noticeable when rounding up cattle on outlying paddocks, mustering cattle or feral horses.

2 [0006] However, as mentioned above, often the desired direction or path is confined, noisy or looks dangerous and the animals instinctively resist movement in that direction, resulting in a time consuming process for the animals and the herder. [0007] Further, if an area appears to be some sort of trap, the animals will not naturally enter that area if that area is not already occupied by a similar (friendly) animal. In this regard, only a complete animal is sufficiently recognised as a non-trap. Object [0008] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. Summary [0009] An aspect of the present invention provides a decoy for attracting animals, the decoy is adapted in use to encourage said animals to move location, said decoy including: a base; and a representation of at least one said animal, said representation being secured to said base; wherein said decoy, in use, is positioned by a user in a predetermined location to attract the attention of said animals to encourage said animals to move towards said decoy and thereby move location. [0010] Preferably, the representation of the at least one said animal is sized to correspond to the size of the animals being encouraged to move. [0011] Preferably, the representation of the at least one animal is of a domestic animal. [0012] Typically, the domestic animal is a sheep, goat, or cow. [0013] Preferably, the decoy includes one or more attachment portions adapted to affix to the decoy.

3 Brief Description of Drawings [0014] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a decoy positioned in a catching pen; [0016] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the decoy positioned in a different catching pen; [0017] Figure 3 shows sheep being attracted to the decoy in a catching pen; [0018] Figure 4 shows the sheep moving into the catching pen; [0019] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the decoy positioned in a trailer; and [0020] Figure 6 is shows the sheep in the trailer after having been attracted by the decoy in the trailer. Description of Embodiments [0021] Referring to the drawings, there is depicted a decoy 1 for attracting animals. The decoy 1 is adapted in use to encourage animals to move location. The decoy 1 includes a representation 2 of an animal to be moved, the representation is secured to a base 3. [0022] In the Figures, the representation 2 of the animal is a printed image of a plurality of sheep. However, any number of sheep can be used to make up the representation 2. The printed image 2 is secured to the base 3, using any suitable securement means, such as adhesives, glue, bonding agents, cable ties, hook and loop fasteners, studs or the like. The base 3 ensures the representation 2 is visible to the animals that are being encouraged to move. As shown in the Figures, the base 3 is made from wood. However, it will be appreciated that the base 3 could be made of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, corflute or the like. [0023] The representation 2 of the at least one animal may be sized to correspond to the size of the animal being encouraged to move. The decoy 1 shown in the Figures is rectangular in shape. However, the decoy 1 may be cut or trimmed to match the profile and size of the animal being 4 encouraged to move. This adjustment of the profile results in the representation 2 being perceived as more realistic to the animals, further encouraging them to move towards the decoy. That is, the decoy cold be a three dimensional representation of an animal or a two dimensional representation of an animal. [0024] Preferably, the decoy 1 includes additional attraction devices (not shown), such as a scent of the animal being attracted, or a noise that mimics the sound of the animal being attracted or the like. These additional attraction devices further add to the attraction of the decoy 1 and can speed up the movement of the animal. [0025] In use as shown in Figure 3, a group of sheep turn around the corner of a shed and the first sheep instantly recognises the decoy 1 as being the same animal. The first sheep of the group heads towards the decoy 1 enticing the rest of the group to follow, as shown in Figure 4. It will be appreciated that the decoy 1 can be used and positioned in a number of locations where a group of animals would not normally move towards. Examples include shearing sheds, catching pens, stock crates, or following a ute or trailer that has had the decoy 1 positioned thereon. [0026] The decoy 1 may have a matte finish provided over the representation 2 that reduces reflection of light. This allows the animals to better see the representations 2 and become attracted to the animal decoy 1. The representation 2 of the animal may be in colour or black and white, depending on how the animal perceives colour. [0027] An alternative embodiment of the decoy 1 is a synthetic or life like version of the animal. The decoy 1 is an artificial but realistic depiction of at least one whole animal. There is no need to provide a sample of the actual animal or parts of the animal when making the decoy 1. This allows the decoy 1 to be applicable to a wide variety of animals. The decoy 1 is readily reproducible and easy to manufacture. [0028] The decoy 1 is also easily portable, and a single decoy 1 can be used at multiple staging points within a catching pen, or multiple decoys could be used to further decrease the time taken to herd the animals. [0029] The representation 2 of the animal is shown as a side profile view. The side profile view shows the whole animal, including the face, and helps the animal looking at the decoy to 5 identify the animal being represented and therefore be attracted to the decoy 1. It is the ability for the animals to quickly identify the whole animal that provides sufficient enticement for the animals to move towards the decoy 1. [0030] The decoy 1 also helps to keep isolated animals calm. For example, when there is only one sheep left in a catching pen after all other sheep have been shorn, the isolated sheep feels it is not alone and will stand beside the decoy 1 for comfort. [0031] The representations 2 of the animal could be any animal, both wild or domestic. Examples of the animals that move in groups whose movements sometimes need to be guided include sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, horses, deer, kangaroos, or wildebeest. [0032] Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. A decoy for attracting animals, the decoy is adapted in use to encourage said animals to move location, said decoy including: a base; and a representation of at least one said animal, said representation being secured to said base; wherein said decoy, in use, is positioned by a user in a predetermined location to attract the attention of said animals to encourage said animals to move towards said decoy and thereby move location.

2. The decoy of claim 1, wherein the representation of the at least one said animal is sized to correspond to the size of the animals being encouraged to move.

3. The decoy of claim 1 or 2, wherein the representation of the at least one animal is of a domestic animal.

4. The decoy of claim 3, wherein the domestic animal is a sheep, goat, or cow.

5. The decoy of any one of the preceding claims, further including one or more attachment portions adapted to affix to the decoy. Mick Wall Kirsty Wall Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON