What is the best bait for a smart ‘coon!?

[JayceMusgrove82]

I have a problem with coons eating my deer corn, and recently, they killed my favorite rooster! I set out foot traps, DP coon traps, huge live traps, even snares, but they keep out smarting me! The bait I use is Marshmallows, dog food, cat food, tuna, sardines, even my precious deer corn! Is it a smart coon? Or a dumb human!?

 

[WindingRoad]

I have a problem with coons eating my deer corn, and recently, they killed my favorite rooster! I set out foot traps, DP coon traps, huge live traps, even snares, but they keep out smarting me! The bait I use is Marshmallows, dog food, cat food, tuna, sardines, even my precious deer corn! Is it a smart coon? Or a dumb human!?

Have you tried human urine. NOT as bait as deterrent. Google.

 

[JayceMusgrove82]

I have used deterrent, but I’m not looking to scare them off! I’m looking to relocate, and if necessary...dispatch them!

 

[SueT]

I've caught them with peanut butter.....

 

[WVduckchick]

I've been very successful with combination of cat food plus mini marshmallows! A small tin can inside the live trap (secured to the center of the trap so they can't reach it from the sides), with a trail leading them in. Also a pile around a paw trap will cause them to stick a paw inside too.

 

[LlamaGirl4]

Yes peanut butter is good like @SueT said. Canned cat food or bagged?

 

[JayceMusgrove82]

I've caught them with peanut butter.....

Already tried that

I've been very successful with combination of cat food plus mini marshmallows! A small tin can inside the live trap (secured to the center of the trap so they can't reach it from the sides), with a trail leading them in. Also a pile around a paw trap will cause them to stick a paw inside too.

okay

 

[JayceMusgrove82]

I've been very successful with combination of cat food plus mini marshmallows! A small tin can inside the live trap (secured to the center of the trap so they can't reach it from the sides), with a trail leading them in. Also a pile around a paw trap will cause them to stick a paw inside too.

I use paw traps a lot, but the coons always figure out where I hid them! and i have probably spent at least 60 bucks on cat food...it just never works...my coons ar geniuses

 

[JayceMusgrove82]

Yes peanut butter is good like @SueT said. Canned cat food or bagged?

peanut butter and cat food just wont cut it!

 

[WunnySharbit]

The best bait I have found is the poor chicken. I put it in the hav-a-hart trap and put it back where the coon had it. i also *slightly* rearranged some of the "stuff" in the area to help hide the back and one side so it thinks it found nice cozy place to eat. I have never had any luck with an other bait (except to catch curious chickens). Also, as someone pointed out, once they have the taste of blood..... Also, I think this may only work with the original coon? Lower ranking or transients just passing through may not feel confident enough to steal a kill. My nuisance, I'm pretty sure. was a momma with tag-along mostly-grown kits or one of the kits. A chicken is a quick, filling meal, easily shared.

I have wanted to try those humane paw traps--put in the food, they reach in, and they're caught--but I'm not sure where to look for them. Even after you've caught them, you have to do something with them.....DISPATCH THEM don't relocate them. They will be back--"the best techniques are passed on by the survivors"--and they will be smarter. They also carry diseases-and a parasite that could kill your chickens, pets, even you! A quick death is also preferable to sending them to starve in the woods--most raccoons I have seen seem more feral than wild and rely on humans to survive.

Maybe this raccoon is smart because someone trapped and relocated it near you?!?