Trapping coons

[cutman]

I put out 27 dog proof foot holds and 1 cage trap last night. Caught 6 and had 4 traps with bait stolen but traps didn’t go off.

6 down...a million to go!

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[Doe Shooter]

I use those traps also. I get the best results by securing them from an overhead branch far enough away from anything they can climb or wrap around. If they can wrap it around anything to lock the trap down ,they can pull a foot out and get away.

 

[SwampCat]

Good job. Coons are one of the worst predators on ground nesting animals. With low fur prices, they go largely unchecked. Keep up the good work.

 

[Fishman]

So do you sell the hides? My dad uses a live trap on his place and takes them to a local store where the owner of the store gives them to people that like to eat coon.

I got a couple of the dog proof traps for Christmas and immediately went out and set one that afternoon. I returned the next morning to find the area where I set the trap completely tore up and the trap was gone. I had anchored it to the ground with a piece of rebar that was fashioned into a shepard's crook. The coon or opossum somehow was able to lift the chain approximately 14 inches in the air and over the hump of the crook and then off the upward turn. I felt really bad about an animal walking around with a trap and chain attached to their foot. I looked for a couple of hours and never did find any signs of the critter. My treeing walker coonhound isn't very good at tracking coons as she couldn't track it either.

 

[Chainsaw]

In the day used to trap coon with leg hold traps. We attached the trap to three feet of light chain and a window weight of 3 to 5 lbs. The coon would drag it around a short distance leaving an obvious trail and then it would get hung up. By that time his leg below the trap jaws would have swollen and they just plain couldn't pull out then. Ran 138 traps with only three sets to a stop so each day it would be early evening dark by the time the last three sets were checked--99 percent of the time the coon were still there usually curled up sleeping. I don't know if the window weight drag applies to dog proof traps as I never used them. All sets were made in water back then so dogs were seldom a problem. From what I'm hearing about pull outs with dog proof traps though it sounds like it would apply.

Keep after them Cutman; those are some good looking coons.

 

[SwampCat]

I rarely have a pull out with a dog proof and have only ever had one "foot" left in a trap - and that coon got tangle up in a barbed wire fence. I have had great luck with dog proofs. I just tie them off to a tree with two strands of baling wire. They are quick and easy to set.

 

[Doe Shooter]

So do you sell the hides? My dad uses a live trap on his place and takes them to a local store where the owner of the store gives them to people that like to eat coon.

I got a couple of the dog proof traps for Christmas and immediately went out and set one that afternoon. I returned the next morning to find the area where I set the trap completely tore up and the trap was gone. I had anchored it to the ground with a piece of rebar that was fashioned into a shepard's crook. The coon or opossum somehow was able to lift the chain approximately 14 inches in the air and over the hump of the crook and then off the upward turn. I felt really bad about an animal walking around with a trap and chain attached to their foot. I looked for a couple of hours and never did find any signs of the critter. My treeing walker coonhound isn't very good at tracking coons as she couldn't track it either.

That's a hard lesson I also learned. I add 18" chain and tie a 6' piece of rope to the chain then find the set up where I can set the trap where the overhead branch gives you a springy effect . You need to have it where the coon can only travel in a circle and not be able to snag the holding chain on something. Coons are very strong and can pull a 2' stake out of the ground. This also works well when the ground is frozen and you can drill a hole in a log and push the ground pin into the hole in the log. They can climb a tree with the trap on a foot. If they wrap it it around a limb enough times to lock the trap down they can pull a foot out. I've had no escapes with my method.

 

[catscratch]

An old tire works well. Wire the trap to the tire and the coon will usually be hiding inside the tire.

I make stakes out of rebar with a washer welded to the top. Use small enough diameter that the chain attachment can spin freely on it and not wrap up. A swivel on the chain is your friend also, make sure everything is in good working order.

 

[Fishman]

I like the welded washer idea on the rebar. Attach the trap to the other end and hammer it down. I saw a couple of YouTube videos and those guys used rebar so I figured I was ok with the shepard's crook. The trap was set out in the open near a deer feeder and there weren't any trees within 15 yards. The woods at my dad's place are pretty thick and there is no telling where it went. I actually dug up some animal's burrow that I thought it may have gone into, but no luck. I will weld up a couple of pieces of rebar with either a T at the top or a washer some where up the bar.

 

[E_308]

If you give a coon something to grab and get leverage you will either loose coons or coons and traps if you are using short rebar stakes. If you are routinely setting the same area look at wolf fang stakes from Minnesota traps. With a quick link this is all I use on coyote traps. That said I use a lot of 18" welded washer rebar stakes on short chains. This is on solid clay ground, in the mud around ponds I run a longer stake or the wolf fangs. On my DPs I put an extra inline swivel in the factory chain - that would be my #1 tip keep the chain spinning. Also don't load the trap with too much bait so they get their foot past the wrist. Put the trap in the open where they can't grab anything and you won't loose anymore.

 

[catscratch]

I like the welded washer idea on the rebar. Attach the trap to the other end and hammer it down. I saw a couple of YouTube videos and those guys used rebar so I figured I was ok with the shepard's crook. The trap was set out in the open near a deer feeder and there weren't any trees within 15 yards. The woods at my dad's place are pretty thick and there is no telling where it went. I actually dug up some animal's burrow that I thought it may have gone into, but no luck. I will weld up a couple of pieces of rebar with either a T at the top or a washer some where up the bar.

I would avoid a "T" at the top. It gives the chain something to catch on and leverage. Coons sometimes climb when threatened, don't forget to look up the next time you're out. It could have gotten tangled in a branch or crook of a limb.

 

[mattpatt]

Stacking them up!

These have been stealing our 22% protein feed we put out for deer. Not any more. All caught with dog proof z-traps. Bait was a jumbo marshmallow skewered onto the trigger and a little fish oil drizzled on top for smell. The Fish oil isn’t really necessary but I had it so I used it. Marshmallows are by far the best bait for catching coons.

Matt


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[cutman]

Nice, Matt. I use z traps with marshmallows as well, but I pour maple syrup on top.

Can’t wait til this weekend to set them again.

 

[shawn cox]

Stacking them up!

These have been stealing our 22% protein feed we put out for deer. Not any more. All caught with dog proof z-traps. Bait was a jumbo marshmallow skewered onto the trigger and a little fish oil drizzled on top for smell. The Fish oil isn’t really necessary but I had it so I used it. Marshmallows are by far the best bait for catching coons.

Matt


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Nice job Matt. I was using Freedom brand dp but I found I was always having to adjust them after a catch to get them set again. I bought a dozen Ztraps this year and that's all I will buy for now one. I also only use marshmallow because it is most effective for me and no mess.

 

[E_308]

Z traps are my favorite also, and I have most of the other brands. The Freedom Brands set the easiest without any tools. For bait I use dry cat food with fish oil added. I just fill a milk jug half full of cat food and add a 1/2 ounce of fish oil. Works well to throw out for a little chum. To only target raccoons marshmallows are the way to go, but with no fur market I am an equal opportunity nest predator predator! The fishier baits will catch your opossums and skunks too in the DP.

 

[shawn cox]

Z traps are my favorite also, and I have most of the other brands. The Freedom Brands set the easiest without any tools. For bait I use dry cat food with fish oil added. I just fill a milk jug half full of cat food and add a 1/2 ounce of fish oil. Works well to throw out for a little chum. To only target raccoons marshmallows are the way to go, but with no fur market I am an equal opportunity nest predator predator! The fishier baits will catch your opossums and skunks too in the DP.

yes this last time I only used marshmallows. in the past I would always mix dry cat food with the marshmallows and add a little fish oil around the trap. I would catch both coons and opossums in them. I only trap to help out my deer, turkey and quail. There is no market for our fur here because it doesn't get cold really so I am in it for helping my deer and game birds.

 

[PineSapJunky]

Not to hijack the thread. Seen where this is where we're showing off our raccoon kills. After deer season is over I open my place up to friend with coon dogs. Decided to go out with him last night ended up taking 6. On average we kill about 200 raccoons a year using dogs and traps. It has helped our turkeys and my feed bill a ton over the years. What's gets me when people ask me "how do I have so many turkeys" my first question is "how many raccoons, opossums and skunks have you killed lately?" More times than not it's always "none". It amazes me how people just think wildlife habitat "just is" and not understand that it's a process. One reason why I love this forum. Don't feel like I'm alone in my struggle.

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[cutman]

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