Racoon ESCAPED my trap overnight?

[007Sean]

It will never enter a cage trap again. Switch to Dukes dog proof, bait with fish scent (tuna juice), mini marshmellows, be sure you attach it to something solid. You will want the "setting" tool. These are not "release" traps, you shoot what is caught.

https://www.amazon.com/Duke-Dog-Proof-Trap-Traps/dp/B00S0CQSVK

X2, Duke's are very efficient at catching coons.

 

[kdmurphy]

Not only do my coons eat the food and escape, but they will drag the trap away. I have 2 coons digging huge holes in my yard at the base of my bird feeder.
Will try chaining the trap to a tree and see what happens. Gonna shoot them if I can do it when the wife is gone.

 

[rjj100]

I have the large havahart 1085 trap with the easy set handle. A large raccoon always has gotten out, he comes every night for his 2AM donut. I have put it at the far back and have wrapped it in plastic and tied it to the back top. Recently I added a lot of weight to the top back and propped heavy weights against one side so that he can no longer roll it on its side and move it. Still no luck. I suspect he keeps his tail out and reaches for the bait, so he can back out.
What can I do to capture and keep the coon from escaping? Help

 

[BagBegBog]

What can I do to capture and keep the coon from escaping? Help

I've heard people have had good luck by attaching jars or cups of sticky things like marshmallow fluff & peanut butter to the trip plate or just behind it. That way they can't just rip out pieces of it, instead they have to climb in. They're known to lick those jars clean. The main problems are the raccoon flipping the trap or reaching in from the sides, but as long as you cover the trap and have it secured it should force the raccoon to go in if it wants the treat.

The best advice I've heard for "educated" raccoons is to set the trap where you want it, and how you want it (put it near where the raccoons tend to appear, cover it, secure it to the ground, use the bait you're intending to use etc.) and then force the trap open with zip ties. This way it normalizes the trap to the raccoon, so they stop perceiving it as a threat, and it instead becomes part of their environment. Keep an eye on the bait, resupply as needed, and eventually they'll have a go at it again. It may take a few weeks, but the key is to keep the door open so that they can just enter the trap, grab the bait and leave without any trouble. It "re-educates" them to think this is a lovely place to get a quick snack. After a few days of feeding the raccoons that bait, remove the zip ties and arm the trap normally. This technique has worked well for me in the past, but one thing I've learned about raccoons is they'll often surprise you with how creative they can be!

 

[rantcliff]

Will I have "caught" four raccoons, but three of them have forced their way under the trap door and gotten out. Perhaps my trap is too "cheap". Is there a heavier duty one I should use?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
This is a really old thread, and there are better grade traps out there. Some people love the Duke traps, look them up too. And only trap if you will shoot the raccoons!
Mary

 

[TOR]

2011 lol I use 1.5 double coil jaw trap, hole set. never fails..not discriminate to other animals. than shoot them.