Raccoon problem - getting solved

[techbsmith]

After reading others success here at BYC, I bought one of the Duke Dog-Proof traps and set with marshmallows.

This morning my dog was sounding the alarm at the back fence behind the chickens - and there was my first catch. Looks to be about a 4 month old raccoon. I'll be resetting the trap later this afternoon and hope to clear out the family soon.

If you buy this trap, I suggest getting the set tool for it. I'm not sure why they don't include it, but mmkay. It makes it a LOT easier to set the trap and not worry about broken fingers.

Link to the trap
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B005KW3AY6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Link to the set tool
https://smile.amazon.com/Duke-DP-Se...rd_wg=TlK57&psc=1&refRID=4WR6YN365MHSR5GQ8TY9

 

[Howard E]

Good catch!

With some practice, you should be able to set the Duke or any of the other Dog Proof traps without the use of the setting tool, although it does make it easier. To set by hand, try holding the trap with both hands, trap body against the heel of your hand, then use both sets of fingers to pull the spring back far enough you can set the trigger. The fact that it takes that much effort is also why it works so well. Once caught, almost no coon is going to be able to pull his arm out.

With the pull only trigger, using a full sized marshmallow is also a neat trick, as it filters the catch to those animals are attracted to the sweets, plus there is almost no way possible for them to yank it out without setting off the trap. You can also drop a few mini marshmallows on top of the trigger to get them using it.

How did you anchor the trap?

PS: If you want to hasten the process, get 3 or 4 traps and set them up in a row....somewhat close together but far enough apart the caught animals won't get tangled up with each other. Then drop a few mini marshmallows on the ground around each trap.

 

[techbsmith]

I anchored using a few zip ties to a chain link fence post - I can set the trap by hand, but it's MUCH easier using the tool LOL I have old arthritic hands, so there's that. I did have the trap get picked clean one night - so I might try putting one regular marshmallow in the bottom with some mini's on top to entice.


here are some pics of the set trap.

 

[Howard E]

You might want to use a couple loops of wire vs. the zip ties. With a full sized coon, several hours of them yanking on it could wear out the zip ties and cut them, leaving the coon to walk off with your trap.

A 16 to 18 inch (+) section of 1/2" rebar with a washer welded to the end makes a good anchor anywhere. Just pound it in deep with a hammer. If that won't slip over the trap's end swivel, use a small carabiner clip to tie them together. Another option is to use a loop of heavy wire, like #12 or even #9. About a 4 inch loop. Fix that solid to the chain's end swivel. Loop it around something solid and pass the trap through the loop, so that it snugs down tight around the post or other anchor.

To up the chances for success, find the trail the coons are using to come and go. If they are going under that chain link fence, look for a dip on the soil leaving them an easy to crawl under section. That is where the trail will lead to, and the grass will be matted down. Almost a highway once you know what to look for. Set the trap in the middle of the trail they are using so they can't miss it.

 

[DyingPhoenix]

I had a SERIOUS coon issue at my place, relating to the neighbors large scale feral cat feeding program.

I lost two traps figuring out what works best as an anchor and I would not trust rebar unless it super deep.. I lost one from it, thinking it was deep enough.. When they have hours to work at it, they will wear down and destroy the whole area trying to work things loose and you'd be surprised what they can get out of. Try and keep everything out of reach or they can and will use it as leverage to pull their hand out.

I used a red ground anchor. It has a loop on the top and fins that you screw into the ground. Looks like this http://www.truevalue.com/assets/product_images/styles/xlarge/409995.jpg

I use a heavy duty oval screw link to attach it. Have caught over 40 raccoons in a little over 30 days ( no joke), and this setup has held onto the toughest, biggest and meanest coons out there. Here's a pic to show one of my setups in action. Multiple traps are recommended for sure!

 

[Howard E]

Can you see the coon trail in this photo?

Maybe now?

And the other way.....note where and how they go through the livestock panel......go through it like flowing water......


With a DP trap, X marks the spot. Or you could set a snare in the livestock panel where they go through. There isn't much suspense with the snare. They go through it......they get caught.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

If you could see just 10% of the coons in your area you would be floored.

 

[techbsmith]

Thanks for the tips - after reading, I went back out and took a steel cable and used a quick connect to secure it to the trap, then ran it a few loops around the corner fence post which is set in concrete and used a carabiner to secure the other end. My old husky is a combination of Houdini and Samson - he was named Samson as a pup That dog is strong as can be and a true escape artist, I think this would even be Sam proof as far as being able to work the trap free.

I can post some pics later, out behind my house is a big field that was set with corn last year and will be soy beans this year. About 300 meters to the left are some woods that border the crop field. At the corner of the woods, I can clearly see a trail where something is coming/going. It could be the coyote's, raccoons, or both. The wild turkey come/go into the field about 600 meters further north from my fence row and the deer even further up.

When inspecting my fenced area, I can see where the critters are coming in and I had the trap located in their path. I've hunted in the past, so path selection was a natural

Anyway - just checked this morning - all bait is still there, course there's still about 2 hours of dark. Wish me luck!

 

[Lucky Llama]

These traps are great. I have had a terrible coon problem for years. I've tried all kinds of traps with limited success. I put out 5 of the Duke dog proof traps and have caught 8 coons and 6 oppossums in the past 10 days. I also second buying the d\setting tool.