How do I trap a racoon? It's gotta go

[OutdoorFun4]

I just got one using a standard Home Depot Havahart trap.

It took me a while as the raccoon would flip the trap over and set it without being caught. The secret was to secure the trap with tent stakes.

I used marshmallows and peanut butter.... the cat food will work.

Good luck.


Don't forget to vote in the latest coop contest.

 

[Sjisty]

I caught 2 possums with marshmallows and a coon with a Little Debbie cake (chocolate). I also caught an armadillo with a cinnamon roll, but let him go.

 

[Chris09]

If you are going to use a 'Live Trap' put some mason bricks on the 2 long sides and on the end that the door IS NOT on.. That way they cant reach in and get the bait/food with out going in the trap... I use a 'Catfish bait' like this You should be able to get it or something like it at Wallmart or a sporting good store..

Chris

 

[Germaine_11.20]

I got home last night and am going to go buy the trap(s)

One last question, do racoons live in packs or families? If I have one will I most likely have more here that I just haven't seen?

Thank you all for the great info and help. I am going to get it!!!

 

[sonew123]

raccoons do live in packs if she is a mamma. We just got done trapping a momma one night and then 1 yr old babies everynight for 3 nights! Last night nothing so I think our little family is gone now! We will continue to use teh trap until snow falls...

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Thanks sonew! That was important to know. Glad you go rid of yours.

 

[Lollipop]

All great advice. Just wanna add my 2 cents. I keep a trap set 24/7 and bait it with a couple whole eggs. Predators, coon, possum, fox, etc, will gofor an easy meal before they tackle the coop and live birds, most of the time. the eggs work great and can be left in the trap for up to a month before rebaiting, if nothing is caught. Try it. It`s cheap, effective, and clean........Pop

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Hi Pop, thank you. I have 4 barnyard cats though. Am I going to catch them on a regular basis? That is a worry of mine. That the cat will go in and then the racoon. Then my cat is racoon food.

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
Funny thing is ( and I hate killing any animal) but my FIL took all of them and skined to make real coon skin caps for all the granchildren! ewww..Oh and yes you will catch a cat or two. I caught my very own silkie this am. After I let them out to free range-two mintues later I hear the trap go off and low and behold she was sitting in it looking at me like "WHAT????" what a goof! Wealso have many live traps out for the chipmunks that are stealing all the chicken feed! 14 so far in the last 2 weeks! we release them on state land 10 miles down the road

 

[Germaine_11.20]

I was wondering about that! Plus I read a post on cooking them up and feeding them back to the chickens. Good protein.

I would have to use my camp stove though. Outside is where that smell should be.