What keeps getting out of my traps?!?!?!?

[Roy]

Last time that I had coon problems I sat next to a tree overlooking my coop with my rifle for about an hour after dark. Sure enough, here he comes. One shot, no more problems. If you relocate, it just causes problems for others...

 

[mominoz]

You also may want to cover the trap with something , tarp, towel something to make it look like a cave and sprinkle leaves and stuff over it. That way they aren't as tempted to reach through the bars, I did this for coons, and feral cats too.

 

[mud21]

I took a half hour tonight camo-ing the trap. I swear you can hardly see it. Look heres a picture:






Cant see it, can you?! Told you it was well hidden.

Well anyways, it is well covered, and I stacked wood against the back and sides, so hopefully whatever it is can only get the bait by going in the trap, not reaching through the sides. We'll see what happens... sure hope I can get rid of it tonight and not have to worry bout it while Im gone.
If this doesnt get it, once I get back, Roy, Ive got a friend who would probably be glad to try your method for me.

 

[ivan3]

Are you using a standard, single door, havahart?

 

[eggsited chickens]

anything yet???

 

[mud21]

ok, Thursday morning my carefully camo-ed trap was tipped over, drug around, the branches and logs scattered, and naturally, was empty. So whatever-it-is had a field day tearing it all apart. My mom didnt set it while I was gone, so obviously nothing since then. I guess Ill try it again tonight.
and yes, single door havahart.

 

[pebblessix]

Do you know we had a predator last year that was really challenging to trap. The trap was thrown all over the place. One morning we even found the door bent. My husband ended up using tent stakes to hold the trap in place and of course, camoflaging it as much as possible. Turned out to be a bobcat! Oh...the cat also pulled one of our chickens through the pen by the head. We heard the ruckus and came running. Believe it or not, she survived the attack.

 

[danielbrown]

It may be time to set some leg hold traps.

 

[ivan3]

Mud21 wrote: and yes, single door havahart.

Good.

1. Place trap off of ground on two short sections of 2"x2"/2"x4". I place them lengthwise just under the bottom edges of the trap. This prevents anything you do catch from digging up grass, pull in leaf clutter, and mixing it all with its feces.
2. A small pair of bolt cutters, some heavy duty zip ties and some hardware cloth for this: Measure the sides, back and top of trap (only need to cover the holding area of trap). Cut the hardware cloth (bolt cutters make quick work of this step), place over sides, back, top of trap and zip tie in place (can't reach through from outside).
3. Place a 40Lb. paver on top of trap (a bag of sand or something heavy and flat will do). It has to be heavy enough to prevent a 30+lb. raccoon from tipping it over or setting off the trap by shaking it.

It might take several nights. If it is a coon it will get frustrated. I have watched them hop straight up off the ground because they want the bait but don't want to enter the trap.​