View Full Version : CrayFish
Green Dweller Beloved
21-02-2007, 21:32
Evening,
I saw an episode of Ray Mears once where he'd caught half a dozen or so crayfish and was cooking them on sticks around a fire.
I know that the british Crayfish are protected, but apparently you can non-british one's which inhabit our rivers.
Have any of you caught Crayfish large enough to eat?
How do you catch them?
How would you know where to look?
How do you know what a bristish one and waht isn't.
Cheers Guys
hi there
first you need to apply for a licence to trap the crayfish (consent to use fishing insruments other than rod and line) without this it is illegal you then need to have the correct traps you can contact the environment agency who are willing to help and supply a good info pack . ive been trapping signals for a while now and they have to be my favourite shellfish hope this helps
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
:D :D :D
ady
Green Dweller Beloved
21-02-2007, 21:49
ive been trapping signals
OK, do you know how much it will cost to get a license approx?
And what is a Signal? Is this the nbon-british crayfish i've heard of?
Cheers
bushtank
21-02-2007, 21:51
Evening,
I saw an episode of Ray Mears once where he'd caught half a dozen or so crayfish and was cooking them on sticks around a fire.
I know that the british Crayfish are protected, but apparently you can non-british one's which inhabit our rivers.
Have any of you caught Crayfish large enough to eat?
How do you catch them?
How would you know where to look?
How do you know what a bristish one and waht isn't.
Cheers Guys
"caught them" :D i get at least 250 plus every year from down south location secret
thats correct they are the non native species that are killing ours it does not cost you anything for the licence just fill out an fr2 form and send it in along with how many traps you wish to use and they will send you tags to place on each trap
he isnt lying either ive seen the catch
:D :D :D
Ogri the trog
21-02-2007, 21:57
OK, do you know how much it will cost to get a license approx?
And what is a Signal? Is this the nbon-british crayfish i've heard of?
Cheers
Don't know about the license fee, but the intruder is the American Red Signal Crayfish. Bigger and more aggresive than the native ones, it also harbours a disease which doesn't affect it but is deadly to the native inhabitants.
HTH
Ogri the trog
billycan
21-02-2007, 21:57
You can only find crayfish in areas of hard water, i.e chalk streams as crayfish need the calcium to manufacture their shells.
I have caught ones as big as my hand, i would put some photos up but i dont know how.
It is easy to distinguish the Americans from the English, as usual the Americans are much bigger and more aggressive, always waving their massive pincers at you. The under side of their claws is a bright orangey and some have white/ bluey streaks.
See this link for a photo...
Crayfish (http://www.britishecologicalsociety.o rg/articles/education/resources/curriculum/ecologyposter/harmcrayfish/)
I have had the most success at night with a lamp and net, simply scooping them up with a net, but you have to be fairly quick. A lot of people use traps made specificaly for crayfish, i made one but they weren't interested in a rabbit leg!??
They tend to hibernate during the winter in the river banks when the water is colder but are more active in the warmer months and also the water levels are lower which makes it easier to see and reach them.
Hope this helps...
Green Dweller Beloved
21-02-2007, 22:02
"caught them" :D i get at least 250 plus every year from down south location secret
Fair to say you'd like to keep your location secret, but maybe you could share your catching method with us and maybe tips on finding a good location??
Thanks
these are the traps i use http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LOBSTER-Prawn-Crab-Crayfish-Eel-Baitfish-Trap-pot_W0QQitemZ170081660237QQihZ 007QQcategoryZ11729QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem use a nice oily fish bait in them the environment agency gave me info on local rivers that had problems with signals
:D :D :D
Green Dweller Beloved
21-02-2007, 22:46
Cheers Guys
there is an episode of HFW's cook on the wild side where he and a bloke catch amerian crayfish by dangling an old chicken carcas in the water, but in these days of chicken flu that might not be so well recieved by the general public!
sc
Don Redondo
22-02-2007, 10:21
quickest way to eradicate an invasive species is to make it a gourmet food item ;)
bushtank
22-02-2007, 21:57
The crayfish is a gourmet food but there are so many that we will probably not eradicte them just reduce the numbers at the moment there are about 10 tons a year harvested from local rivers and canals down south and that is a under estimate :eek:
Nautilus21
23-02-2007, 09:57
Try crab lines (you know the seaside type ones) and a net - cheap - even cheaper just tie a small weight and bit of bacon onto some string - works like a charm - My brother and I regularly catch 20 ish in as many minutes by having four lines out - Better than any 'Snack and Share' Combo anywhere..
Def agree Winter is not the best time - Summer Autumn give the best chance but they can be caught all through the year..
Always fish in the shadiest darkest spots you can - then sit in the sun for 2-3minutes before retrieving them - exactly like crabbing
You cannot mistake the American for British - they have huge red undersides to their claws - if they dont then put them back - to be honest you are unlikely to catch any British unless you know where they are - and you are also unlikely to catch the two along side each other but if you are in any doubt just stick em back and wait for the next ones!
Boiling water 3-5minutes - until they turn bright red - twisting and pulling out the middle of the three tail 'segments' will pull out all the guts as well! - then crack open the rest of the tail .. Pepper and Lemon or just some homemade thousand islan style dressing awesome- Claws can aslso be broken open and eaten - but a significant amount of effort for not a lot of return (obvioulsy the bigger ones are more worthwhile)
Any questions then let me know!
Wavey Davey
23-02-2007, 10:40
This has interested me for some time and I've been thinking about applying for a trapping licence but this is much simpler. I'm really going to try this out when it gets a bit warmer.
Matt Weir
23-02-2007, 11:11
there is an episode of HFW's cook on the wild side where he and a bloke catch amerian crayfish by dangling an old chicken carcas in the water, but in these days of chicken flu that might not be so well recieved by the general public!
sc
For years my Mum & Dad have took the kids to New Brighton and fish for crabs using this method so if the crayfish are as greedy as crabs then it should work a treat.
Matt.
John Dixon
23-02-2007, 11:42
is there no where in the north west area they inhabit???
Matt Weir
23-02-2007, 11:44
I'd have thought it would be too cold up here for them John?
Matt.
Nautilus21
23-02-2007, 12:00
Wavey Davey
There are lots of places in Suffolk Norfolk and Essex that are good and I can certianly point you towards a good river or two - but some things are secret but PM me with where abouts you normally go/live and I'll dig around my little book of knowledge !!
BTW to everyone else Bacon is an awesome bait not to be underestimated - cheap - always available (acceptable when its found in the fridge not like stinky fish heads oops) and all stays around for a while..
As an added tip - although I am really starting to give away trade secrets - keep any 'washing powder bags' for those of you who dont know (chaps) I am told that you put your 'tablets' in them before the go in the wash???- even though the doctor told me to swallow them?? - anyway enough confusion - basically they are a bit like a big teabag with a drawstring... -put your weight and bait in these and the little crayfish get a bit more tangled when they are trying to get at the bait and tend to 'drop off less'..
I also think that fishing this way you dont need a licence as these seem to be entirely for 'trap' fishing..but would be happy to be told otherwise
John
Loch Ken in Galloway is absolutely over-run with them. please come up here, bring yer mates and take as many as you want. They are doing real harm to the salmonid fish stocks :( ( although the Perch are thriving on them :) )
Last summer we filled a 50 gallon drum in under 4 hours, with the little b8ggers. They are a good bit smaller than their cousins down south, so getting the meat out is a wee bit more time consuming.......but they are tasty all the same.
I don't beleive a licence is required to trrap them in Scotland, but that might be worth checking out.
best area is the West end of the loch. oily fish like mackeral/herring do well, although I hav personally caught them on a worm, being fished for perch :banghead:
to my knowledge there is no licence required to fish for the "american" or "signal" crayfish and in some areas I have been told that it is illegal to put them back into the water if caught, if using a cage it is easy to return our natives to the water, as the signal has bright red claws this should be simple, so if there is some law infringing on your personal freedoms to hunt shoot and fish again ignore it and use a little personal responsabilty instead.
Let the natives go and eat all the ones with red claws.
enjoy they are delicious
just checked with environment agency, and there is a licence required, so keep it subtle, you will be doing our natives a huge favour although it is way to late for most places
Nautilus21
23-02-2007, 13:18
There definitely is a requiremnt for a licence for any trapping or netting of fish (and for this dfefinition crayfish come under it) - it is easy to obtain - there will be no problem or cost (as I remember) just ring the environment agency - there is no point getting caught for doing something without a liccence if you can get one - its just not worth it...
I believe that fishing for them either comes under your general rod licence for those who fish - or if you are using crab lines I think you are OK without - but I would get a licence anyway..
weekender
23-02-2007, 14:11
Is the way Ray killed them the best way or are there other ways of dispatching them??
Also i looked on the enviroment website, what heading do i need to look under for the license to trap.
I recently enquired with a local EA ranger that I know about a trapping license and was told to forget it because there are native crayfish in my area (East Yorkshire) and they are paranoid about depleting native stocks (quite rightly). Nautilus 21 could well be right about rod license, etc., but I was also told the EA regard any intentional capture of crayfish by any method as trapping and you need a license to trap - because the risk is that physically moving signal crayfish can cause inadvertent population spread (however futile that might appear). I was also told that when applying for a license, you have to specify where you will go by OS Grid Reference and are advised to then seek confirmation from the land owner before actually fishing/trapping. I don't know if any of this is true, but it came from a reliable source and everything I've seen on the EA web site supports it.
There is critical mass of these non-natives in some areas and it is in these places that licenses are given out freely - because removing them helps the invasion problem. But the further north you go on mainland UK, the harder it is. I believe it is very hard to get a license much north of Manchester/Leeds. EA are targeting illegal trapping in Yorkshire at present.
The reason I was interested in the first place was because I tried them in Hampshire last summer and they really are very tasty wild food. So if they are in abundance in your area, go for it!
Chris
Try this amusing/interesting video (http://www.vega.org.uk/video/programme/58) about their invasion! And some tips about where to find them in your local river system.
Chris
billycan
23-02-2007, 15:09
The accepted technique for dispatching them is to put the bag of them into the freezer for 1/2 an hour or so which makes them torpid and slow enough not to wriggle around or be aggessive, then just stick them into a large pan of water at a rollong boil so that they are completely submerged. There done in about 3mins.
The crayfish in our streams here tend to be small, at least the ones that I have seen and I have just grabbed them or scooped them with a net.
The prawns however tend to be pretty darn big. A bone from a piece of fried chicken has worked great for me in a trap. But the most fun is spearing them, especially at night. Their eyes glow when you shine a light on them, so there is the target and you can also gauge their size that way too. I suspect you could do the same with crayfish.
bushtank
23-02-2007, 19:36
The crayfish in our streams here tend to be small, at least the ones that I have seen and I have just grabbed them or scooped them with a net.
The prawns however tend to be pretty darn big. A bone from a piece of fried chicken has worked great for me in a trap. But the most fun is spearing them, especially at night. Their eyes glow when you shine a light on them, so there is the target and you can also gauge their size that way too. I suspect you could do the same with crayfish.
i would love to be getting the prawns like you do as for the crayfish they are not good with bright lights and will b8gger off soon as they see it due to their colour thay can be quite hard to see :D
i would love to be getting the prawns like you do as for the crayfish they are not good with bright lights and will b8gger off soon as they see it due to their colour thay can be quite hard to see :D
When not in a survival situation, and I hope it is always not in a survival situation, it is great fun to set some traps and catch some with the spear. You will get wet that way though. Awesome when it is pitch black in a valley, stream full of prawns with guavas hanging over the pool and wild dogs baying deeper in the valley. The prawns are already hiding, but the orange eyes in the light give em away.
Do the crayfish eyes glow orange in the light like the prawns?
bushtank
24-02-2007, 10:20
When not in a survival situation, and I hope it is always not in a survival situation, it is great fun to set some traps and catch some with the spear. You will get wet that way though. Awesome when it is pitch black in a valley, stream full of prawns with guavas hanging over the pool and wild dogs baying deeper in the valley. The prawns are already hiding, but the orange eyes in the light give em away.
Do the crayfish eyes glow orange in the light like the prawns?
crayfish eyes do glow when light is shone on them but they do have smaller eyes than a prawn
in the next few days i will be recieving my consent form from the EA to trap crayfish this time they have given me 12 months instead of 6 and allowed me more traps and a longer stretch of the river i trap (5 miles)
:D :D :D
The accepted technique for dispatching them is to put the bag of them into the freezer for 1/2 an hour or so which makes them torpid and slow enough not to wriggle around or be aggessive, then just stick them into a large pan of water at a rollong boil so that they are completely submerged. There done in about 3mins.
I normally find that sticking them strait into boiling water tends to make them less aggressive far quicker than taking them home to freeze first.
billycan
24-02-2007, 14:41
Clearly you wouldn't take them home and put them in your freezer if you were about to cook them in the woods!
have many of you actually tried fresh crayfish :) they are tops i advise not to try the so called pre-pack (crayfish tails) stuff from supermarkets no taste at all
:D :D :D :D :D
for those that are interested its worth looking here http://www.efishbusiness.com/formsandguides/ you can find out about crayfish and downlosd the fr2 aplication form
:D
Wavey Davey
25-02-2007, 16:05
Thanks Ady. That's a useful link.
Cheers, David.
scottishwolf
26-02-2007, 21:22
John
Loch Ken in Galloway is absolutely over-run with them. please come up here, bring yer mates and take as many as you want. They are doing real harm to the salmonid fish stocks :( ( although the Perch are thriving on them :) )
Last summer we filled a 50 gallon drum in under 4 hours, with the little b8ggers. They are a good bit smaller than their cousins down south, so getting the meat out is a wee bit more time consuming.......but they are tasty all the same.
I don't beleive a licence is required to trrap them in Scotland, but that might be worth checking out.
best area is the West end of the loch. oily fish like mackeral/herring do well, although I hav personally caught them on a worm, being fished for perch :banghead:
I'm thinking of heading down to Loch Ken for a few days and want to catch some crayfish. Can anybody tell me the best places and ways to do this? :)
Mr scottishwolf,
the top end (west) is best (known to the pike anglers as crayfish alley - a deadbait fished on the bottom resembles a korky the cat skeleton in less than 30 mins :eek: ).
As to technique - knock yerslef up a wee creel with chicken wire or the like( there are design on t'interweecher), stick a bit o oily fish in it and chuck it oot as far as ye can.
Don't forget to to attatch a long enough lanyard ( the loch is bleeding freezing at this time of year - so you dont want to be swimming to retreive it.) I find if I don't get anything in 30 mins, move it a few yards.
have a good feast - but mind and pull the gut out of them before you chow down. Mind and check the licence situation, although if you are chapping them and eating them I can't see anyone getting to bent out of shape.
Gailainne
26-02-2007, 21:43
but mind and pull the gut out of them before you chow down
:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:
w00dsmoke
26-02-2007, 23:04
There are Crayfish in the upper Clyde and in parts of the Tay, and we now know about Galloway what about the rest of Scotland?
Does anyone know?
Matt Weir
27-02-2007, 07:28
I've bought a net (the one Ady05 recommended) and have rang the EA and am just awaiting my info pack. Only thing is that the EA website states 'North West rivers are now some of the last in the country free of these invaders and are a refuge for the rare native white-clawed crayfish'.
DOH lol
A well, I did intent to go trapping whilst away camping anyway.
Can't wait to get Mr Pinchy on my wild food menu :D
Matt.
Matt Weir
27-02-2007, 07:31
for those that are interested its worth looking here http://www.efishbusiness.com/formsandguides/ you can find out about crayfish and downlosd the fr2 aplication form
:D
Ady,
Is the FR2 form the same one that the EA sends out in the crayfish trapping info pack?
Matt.
bushtank
27-02-2007, 14:59
Ady,
Is the FR2 form the same one that the EA sends out in the crayfish trapping info pack?
Matt.
yes it is mate
hi matt-w
i actually phoned the EA and spoke to a guy there who was very helpfull in telling me some local waters that held the signals in before i applied
:D :D :D
Matt Weir
27-02-2007, 16:42
Thanks Chaps,
I also called the very nice man at EA but was under the impression that all infested waterways are listed in the info pack? Hopefully I'll find out in a day or so. If not then I will give them a call back.
Matt.
I think I'm being a bit thick! I can't find a phone number, where are you getting this geezers' number from? I wouldn't mind getting into this when I get back to UK for good in a couple of months, so I'd like to find out if there are any waterways around me where I could get some traps out.
I think I'm being a bit thick! I can't find a phone number, where are you getting this geezers' number from? I wouldn't mind getting into this when I get back to UK for good in a couple of months, so I'd like to find out if there are any waterways around me where I could get some traps out.
you can try this number 01480 483968 tell them you would like an info pack on the crayfish the pack does not tell you locations but it does give you a list of phone numbers for different regions if not speak to your local fishing clubs and see if they have any problems with crayfish on there waters
:D :D :D
Thankyou very much, I will phone them presently!! I checked out the pots on ebay and they look fantastic. I take it they pack down small and are relatively lightweight? They look so in the few pictures available.
i use waterproof keep net bags they hold 13 traps in each (collapsed) and easy to carry
:D :D
weekender
27-02-2007, 17:39
Have been reading this thread with great interest as soon as i could think of a question someone else has asked it or answerd it, great thread and thanks for the info everybody. :You_Rock_
weekender
27-02-2007, 17:40
Have been reading this thread with great interest as soon as i could think of a question someone else has asked it or answerd it, great thread and thanks for the info everybody. :You_Rock_
Moonraker
28-02-2007, 00:50
Is the way Ray killed them the best way or are there other ways of dispatching them??
Also i looked on the enviroment website, what heading do i need to look under for the license to trap.
Ideally you would use the method advocated by billycan above but that is not possible in the field.
Removing the central fin at the end of the crayfish's tail is the correct method of dispatch in France where movement of living specimens is illegal. This removes the internal organs and kills the crayfish cleanly. It is called "crayfish neutering" . You can also achieve the same result by a sharp twist of the tail which breaks the intestinal tract.
Here is a illustration of the method;
http://www.lisney.co.uk/graphics/bcuk_small_photos/bcuk-crayfish_kill.png
Just got off the phone to an incredibly nice lady who is sending out an info pack to me as we speak. I will have to wait till I get settled back in UK to take advantage of this and also to start taking out the american invader (!) but at least I will be ahead of the game!
Beer Monster
28-02-2007, 11:56
Guys one other thing to be aware of is that Signal Cray fish carry (but are immune to) and spread "crayfish plague" which along with the competition for food is wiping out our native white claw. The info will probably be the EA pack but thought it was worth putting in here just in case.
The plague fungal spores can survive upt to 2 weeks in water or damp environments (mud etc) so it is essential to thoroughly dry all kit (boots, waders, nets or other tackle and buckets) and preferably disinfect it before moving to a different river system to help prevent the spread.
There is quite a good page on the Penrith Anglers webpage (http://www.penrithanglers.co.uk/crayfishplague.htm):-
As the spores remain viable only when damp, complete drying of equipment that has been in contact with water or sediments is an effective way of killing them. It is best to avoid fishing different rivers on the same day, alternatively dry or disinfect any boots or nets before moving between rivers.
Spores can also be killed by Iodine-based (iodophors) disinfectants.
if you guys catch any signals try this
Ingredients
15g/˝oz butter
2 shallots, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 sprig thyme
handful freshly picked wild mushrooms, cleaned and chopped
250g/9oz risotto rice
100ml/3˝fl oz dry white wine
600ml/1 pint hot fish stock
225g/8oz cooked crayfish tails
2 tbsp mascarpone or double cream
2 tbsp freshly grated parmesan
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh flatleaf parsley
Method
1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and sauté the shallot and garlic for 5 minutes, or until softened.
2. Add the thyme and mushrooms and gently fry for 2 minutes.
3. Stir in the rice until coated in the fat. Pour in the wine and allow to bubble for a minute or so.
4. Add a ladleful of the stock, bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer, stirring constantly.
5. Add another ladleful of stock and stir again until absorbed. Continue adding more stock in this way until the grains of rice are plump and creamy. It should take about 15-18 minutes.
6. Fold in the crayfish tails for the last few minutes of cooking, followed by the mascarpone and parmesan. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper and stir through the parsley. Serve.
:D :D :D
if you guys catch any signals try this
Ingredients
15g/˝oz butter
2 shallots, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 sprig thyme
handful freshly picked wild mushrooms, cleaned and chopped
250g/9oz risotto rice
100ml/3˝fl oz dry white wine
600ml/1 pint hot fish stock
225g/8oz cooked crayfish tails
2 tbsp mascarpone or double cream
2 tbsp freshly grated parmesan
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh flatleaf parsley
Method
1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and sauté the shallot and garlic for 5 minutes, or until softened.
2. Add the thyme and mushrooms and gently fry for 2 minutes.
3. Stir in the rice until coated in the fat. Pour in the wine and allow to bubble for a minute or so.
4. Add a ladleful of the stock, bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer, stirring constantly.
5. Add another ladleful of stock and stir again until absorbed. Continue adding more stock in this way until the grains of rice are plump and creamy. It should take about 15-18 minutes.
6. Fold in the crayfish tails for the last few minutes of cooking, followed by the mascarpone and parmesan. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper and stir through the parsley. Serve.
:D :D :D
MMMmmmm..... that sound absolutly delish :You_Rock_
bushtank
28-02-2007, 19:37
Ideally you would use the method advocated by billycan above but that is not possible in the field.
Removing the central fin at the end of the crayfish's tail is the correct method of dispatch in France where movement of living specimens is illegal. This removes the internal organs and kills the crayfish cleanly. It is called "crayfish neutering" . You can also achieve the same result by a sharp twist of the tail which breaks the intestinal tract.
Here is a illustration of the method;
http://www.planetluna.org/graphics/bcuk_small_photos/bcuk-crayfish_kill.png
Thats a new one on me i have only done this to remove intestinal tract after cooking. not before to kill them i will give it a go soon :beerchug:
Matt Weir
28-02-2007, 21:45
Ok, I have received my info pack now and looking through the 'how to fill your application' section worries me slightly.
My intention is that wherever and whenever I am out and about I intend to put traps down. Aparently this is a big no-no for 2 reasons. One is that a section of the application asks for specific dates and areas, down to actual grid refs. Another is that this is actually counter productive with regards to reducing numbers as 'casual' trapping only reduces the numbers of fully grown males and to bear in mind that it is the fully grown males who tend to eat many of the adolescent crays thus self regulating to some degree. Apparently an aggressive and sustained trapping practice is what is required.
Admittedly me taking one or two once in a while will nowhere near affect things as they are and the EA say that the problem is likely to get worse over time but obviously I don't want to add to the problem through poor practice and ignorance.
If anyone can offer advice then please go ahead.
Thanks,
Matt.
stevesteve
01-03-2007, 16:11
When I was a student in London one of my colleagues was mad about Pike fishing. I went wih him a couple of times and managed a 17lb fish myself. We were using 1/2mackerel as bait and if you wound them in at almost any time you could be fairly sure that there would be a large crayfish hanging off it. I was told at the time that these were the American ones but I don't remember the details.
The secret location... one of the major parks in central London. It is (or certainly was ~20 yrs ago) alive with the little beggars. Net fishing not allowed but if you had something like those net shopping baskets that collapse down on themselves with a bait in the bottom I bet you could just haul them up.
Cheers,
Steve
Ok, I have received my info pack now and looking through the 'how to fill your application' section worries me slightly.
My intention is that wherever and whenever I am out and about I intend to put traps down. Aparently this is a big no-no for 2 reasons. One is that a section of the application asks for specific dates and areas, down to actual grid refs. Another is that this is actually counter productive with regards to reducing numbers as 'casual' trapping only reduces the numbers of fully grown males and to bear in mind that it is the fully grown males who tend to eat many of the adolescent crays thus self regulating to some degree. Apparently an aggressive and sustained trapping practice is what is required.
Admittedly me taking one or two once in a while will nowhere near affect things as they are and the EA say that the problem is likely to get worse over time but obviously I don't want to add to the problem through poor practice and ignorance.
If anyone can offer advice then please go ahead.
Thanks,
Matt.
hi matt
its not as simple as just going where you like and droping a trap or two the grid ref is a big yes but once you have given this you can phone them and tell them you wish to trap a longer stretch of the river the date issue is from the date you wish to start up untill usually a 6-12 month period depending on what your consent allows at the end of each season you have to return a catch report i guess this is for there records of growth within the river my first season was a 6 month consent then it went to 12 months the guys at EA will help you fill out the fr2 form as they did with me its not as bad as it seams as you know we need these signals removed
hope this might help you out
ady
:D :D :D :D :D