Einstein-Like RACCOON

[bryan99705]

Is your coop and run strung with coon proof wire? If the coons cannot get in or reach thru the wire, they will give up and go elsewhere or be hungry enough the hit the traps harder and get caught

 

[Opa]

I also feel it's prudent to run a hot wire around the perimeter of your coop and run.

 

[7L Farm]

I like hot wire. I have it & check it regularly to make sure its working. As far as trapping the coon take a can of sardines open it get the ones in oil. Put the can under the trap behind the trigger & stake the trap down. Yes you need to set it & get a stick & push the plate down to see how sensitive it is. Set it with a hair trigger.

 

[bobbi-j]

Quote:
How do you check yours? When they were younger, our boys (farm kids) used their town-kid friends as testers!

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
How do you check yours? When they were younger, our boys (farm kids) used their town-kid friends as testers!

Its a cheap meter I got it at TSC. You just touch the wire & it lights up if its getting power.

 

[featherbaby]

I had a problem with a bait stealer once. I couldn't figure out how he was doing it. I had done almost all of the above things but still couldn't catch him. One night I just sat up and watched....he was coming every night. I was astounded to see the biggest raccoon in the history of the world come ambling up to the trap. I knew at once he could not fit inside the (regular coon sized trap) trap. Well, that sucker got down on his knees and packed himself into the trap inching along until he got to the bait. Sure enough the door came down.....ON HIS BACK! His huge back HELD THE DOOR OPEN!!!!! After leisurely eating the bait and licking his paws, he simply put it in reverse and wiggled out under the door. I would have given anything for a video of that! Hopefully this is not your problem too. Unfortunately this one had to die of lead poisoning. So sad.

 

[Delmar]

Quote:
Are those chicken proof?

 

[Opa]

Quote:
Are those chicken proof?

Yes they would be because the bait and trigger are both 3" down inside an 1 1/4" tube. Trap is activated by coon pulling up on trigger

 

[bryan99705]

Quote:
How do you check yours? When they were younger, our boys (farm kids) used their town-kid friends as testers!

Its a cheap meter I got it at TSC. You just touch the wire & it lights up if its getting power.

But that's not as fun as watching a city kid come unglued when hits the hot wire!

 

[turbodog]

One trick I learned about using live traps was to set the trap on bricks with the bait under the trap, not in it. Then place something heavy like a cinderblock on top so the critter can't tip it over.
They walk into the trap and in trying to get to the food, eventually walk over the trip plate.