trapping short eared owls (1 Viewer)

Conservation Dept. here in New York State has requested my assistance trapping short eared owls for research purposes.
They plan to fit two birds with telemetry transmitters.
I constructed four bal-chatris of type I have used for buteos.
Dept. also has purchased large mist net.
On the initial attempt the birds disregarded gerbil baited bal-chatris.
Anyone out there with experience or advice concerning short ears.

I would recommend any responses be as Private messages.

P.S.
Out of curiosity, what question is the NY Conservation Dept. trying to answer with telemetry?