Get Duke dogproof traps, and forget live traps! IMO

[cosmo1104]

Have been messing with live traps for a few weeks and the coons just are too smart for them. No matter how I hide them, cover them with blocks etc, they just wouldn't go in. I live in a suburb area and I think they're just too used to them. Had a duke trap out for 3 nights baited with fish and 2 coons gone Today was a 33 pound girl, big coon! here's hoping the rate stays up, there are a TON of coons in the area.

 

[KrisH]

Have been messing with live traps for a few weeks and the coons just are too smart for them. No matter how I hide them, cover them with blocks etc, they just wouldn't go in. I live in a suburb area and I think they're just too used to them. Had a duke trap out for 3 nights baited with fish and 2 coons gone Today was a 33 pound girl, big coon! here's hoping the rate stays up, there are a TON of coons in the area.

Where did you get it? how big is it? and better yet how do you get them out? I looked up a picture and not sure but I essume you would have to "dispatch" them prior to getting them out of it.

RobertH

 

[ivan3]

KrisH wrote: Where did you get it? how big is it? and better yet how do you get them out? I looked up a picture and not sure but I essume you would have to "dispatch" them prior to getting them out of it.

Get them from any online retailer that doesn't charge any more that $25, or so, bucks. They're about this big (read the instructions on how to set with with screwdriver - unless you crush coconuts between your hands with ease). Just keep them cleaned and they remain quite serviceable. Yes, `release' is not an option. We still catch more in live traps. However, we are in the boonies and don't have to deal with `suburban familiars', i.e., too smart for a box.

 

[FenikT]

I laid out a coon w/ one of these last week. Lost one of my 8 w/o chicks to a coon several weeks back and have had one raiding my hanging feeder after-hours in the run.

The can trap worked like a charm. Baited it w/ a small piece of fried pork and stuck it upright along my fence line at dusk. A few hours later I peeked out the window w/ the flash light and saw a set of eyes glowing back @ me. He lived long enough to see the light of day, then I laid him out flat w/ a Ruger Mini 30.

They are relatively easy to set, compared to a 220 conibear. As far as maintenance, I let it set out in the elements for a couple days. It let it get some rust blister, which I then sprayed over w/ a couple coats of rustoleum rust converter. Hit it w/ a couple coats of flat black rustoleum paint and you're set.

I hate killing critters but I won't tolerate a marauding coon in my back yard, period.

 

[cosmo1104]

Where did you get it? how big is it? and better yet how do you get them out? I looked up a picture and not sure but I essume you would have to "dispatch" them prior to getting them out of it.

RobertH

I got mine from Amazon.com for $20 shipped but I have Prime which offers free shipping. But if you research these traps they're great for areas that have dogs and cats, as they can't set them off. You put a piece of food in the bottom that requires a "hand" to grab and the trigger mechanism only works when they pull it out.

A few pointers from by brief experience:

1. put the chain loop around something that CAN NOT be pulled out of the ground, how my bugger today pulled it out is beyond me. Also i would rely on the loop part you insert into the traps stake to hold, the first coon got out that way by shaking it loose, so the chain became undone.( the end of the chain has a part on it designe to go thru the stake that is supposed to not be able to come back off) WRONG! I just put a little $1 lock on the chain.

2. Yes, you'll have to kill the buggers to get them off, but isnt that really the point? Rehoming them is just adding a problem to someone else, and there aren't many coon rescue shelters.

I haven't lost a chicken yet, but they were stealing food, so it was only a matter of time. I'd rather be pro active and take care of the problem than lose my girls because I waited for them to become blood thirsty. And its not like they're endangered species.

Plus, I found a few friends today that eat them. I'm not excited about eating raccoon, but if I'm gonna kill it, I'd rather be respectful and not waste the meat. I hate wasting kills. maybe dogfood??

 

[ivan3]

FenikT wrote: They are relatively easy to set, compared to a 220 conibear. As far as maintenance, I let it set out in the elements for a couple days. It let it get some rust blister, which I then sprayed over w/ a couple coats of rustoleum rust converter. Hit it w/ a couple coats of flat black rustoleum paint and you're set.

Great ideas ideas on upkeep. I've been using nothing, as bait, for a few years now, but a mixture of peanut butter and bacon grease (rubbed on bars of live traps or dripped into and around the DP's). Have yet to have a coon refuse the easiest potential meal (so far, so good -- at least we haven't had another family of them up on top the chicken coop tearing the shingles from the roof in frustration - with one already in the only trap set - that was 8 yrs ago when we had yet to feather-out).

 

[Triple Willow]

Plus, I found a few friends today that eat them. I'm not excited about eating raccoon, but if I'm gonna kill it, I'd rather be respectful and not waste the meat. I hate wasting kills. maybe dogfood??

I was wondering if you guys eat them when you catch them. They have dark meat but they taste really good. There are all kinds of good recipes for cooking them. Just be careful not to dry it out. I think the last one I ate was grilled. A local church here has an annual "Wild Game Supper". You wouldn't believe all the different meat that local hunters prepare and bring. Some even go on hunting trips to other states so there is a big variety of meats. (I never thought of eating bear. lol) Really, it is no different than eating meat out of the grocery and a lot more healthy for you. The settlers survived on this kind of food. Years ago the outdoors was the grocery store!

 

[brandon170]

If you have cats around that you don't want caught in the dp traps then use some sweet smelling bait like jelly or marshmallows. They are not cat proof. I'm not a cat fan but I thought I'd throw out the info

 

[cosmo1104]

If you have cats around that you don't want caught in the dp traps then use some sweet smelling bait like jelly or marshmallows. They are not cat proof. I'm not a cat fan but I thought I'd throw out the info

Thanks, was kinda thinking a cat could trip it! Do coons smell the sweet as far away as the tuna or cat food?

 

[brandon170]

I doubt they will smell it as far away as a meat bait