Trapping a Raccoon - Baiting / Setting The Trap

[Nifty-Chicken]

Looking for some experienced coon trappers!

I'm using a "have a heart" trap and need to know:

1) What are the best baits to use

2) Do you suggest baiting the trap a few nights with it secured open (meaning it won't close) in an effort to get the coon use to going in safely. Or do you suggest to "set it and forget it"?

Here's the little bugger I'm trying to catch:

Here is what happens if you set a trap, use shrimp as the bait and let the chickens out during the day:

 

[thndrdancr]

Omg, I had to laugh at the chicken in the trap.

I cant help you with bait for a coon, but I do know I bot one yesterday for a possum prob we are having. I had heard cat food was good, I didnt know if canned or dry, and all critters seem to LOVE the canned, (I think they instinctively know canned cat food opening, my chicks went nutz when I opened it and they never even heard of cat food before..so has to be instinct, right?

)so I bot a can for 28 cents, and baited it last night.
We had the possum within an hour!

Jill

 

[panner123]

Being from Northern Ca. also, I know you can call the Fish and Game, they will send a trapper out to catch the coon. They have been to my place for bear and shunk. The first is to big for me, unless I get a clean shot at it. The second, well I get them in the trap and let the trapper take them out. How he does it I don't know, but he doesn't get sprayed on. I called the office on Hazel in Orangeville, the # is under state government in the phone book. If you have any trouble getting them, like me know, I think I still have the trappers cell #. He lives in Wheatland.

 

[panner123]

Sorry forgot to tell you what to use for bait, dry cat food. Only set the trap at night. You will get 5 or 6 before you know it.

 

[Carole AM]

I usually use some kind of stinky leftovers! Or if I have grease leftover from a roasting pan, or bones, I use that too. Last year we had a horrible problem with coons. Marshmallows work too.

I know what you mean about keeping the trap out & set during the day! I always catch the curious! Here's Jimmy, my red pyle OEGB roo.





Good luck catching that sucker!

 

[Sabrinainmiss]

I have caught several with peanut butter and dry cat food. Set at night and wait til morning. They are tricky rascals be sure to sprinkle a little cat food up front then dab some peanut butter and put cat food on it in the back. Works like a charm.

 

[thechickenfarmer]

We use mini marshmallows, my father says they really go for the colored ones

 

[peacebird]

we tried last night for the first time - used apple quarters. The apples are gone and the trap is moved about 3 foot - but never snapped shut?

it is an older, kind of rusty havaheart..... was going to oil the works this afternoon and try again...

 

[Newchickenmom&kids]

We use leftovers or meat that is questionable of needing thrown out...like hot dogs. We set it at night. Many times will need to leave it baited for two nights but the other day I used some corn bread biscuits and got one that night!! We've used all sorts of food though. Good Luck!

 

[bayouchica]

those stinkin' coons ugh we have too many !
When I set my soft trap I'll get an old butter container & put a couple of holes in it & twisty tie it in the trap.This keeps the coon from tipping the food over, where he has to go inside the trap to eat.
Coons here love the chicken food and of course eggs!
good luck,Miriam