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Trapping Coons and Possums
2/24/2012 5:31:17 PM
I've got a problem with either possum(s) or coon(s) digging in my burn pile for stuff that still smells good after being roasted with fire and plastic. I'm about to get chickens and am worried this thing(s) will tare into my coop or dig under and get at them. I've got 2 dogs and 3 cats and its still not afraid to come around. No its not these animals getting in. The prints left behind are big like a coon and it has to climb into the burn barrel to get at the stuff.
Whats the best bait to use in a cage trap for either animal?
2/24/2012 5:44:11 PM
Coons are pretty easy as they like tuna and or cat food. Never trapped any possums.
ETA, skunks really like garbage piles, but I don't think they are too much into climbing.
ETA, skunks really like garbage piles, but I don't think they are too much into climbing.
2/24/2012 6:50:07 PM
I use dog/cat food and marshmallows, usually both together but sometimes alone.
I like using the marshmallows when I set a Conibear trap since I can stick em to the trigger bars themselves.
For a live trap I'll just sprinkle some outside the trap and then place a little dish inside the trap full of dog food.
I like using the marshmallows when I set a Conibear trap since I can stick em to the trigger bars themselves.
For a live trap I'll just sprinkle some outside the trap and then place a little dish inside the trap full of dog food.
2/25/2012 1:03:16 PM
I have caught both with Tuna, Sardines or canned cat food, Sardines work the best but are the most expensive...
2/25/2012 11:26:38 PM
Dry cat food works great.
2/26/2012 1:08:57 AM
I've done quite a bit of nuisance animal trapping. Coons will eat lots of things, and lots of things will attract them. But if you want to target coons (and don't want to catch possums, skunks, and stray cats) ... use peanut butter as bait. The coons love it, and you'll catch the occasional possum, but other critters seem to leave it alone.
2/27/2012 9:15:22 AM
I do nuisance wildlife control for a living and use sardines in oil. I believe they are beach cliff brand (Bumblebee brand does not catch as well) It allows you to put scent trails and will carry through light to moderate rain. Avoid double door traps. If you already have one just set the main door and bend the door catch tab over the door bar of the secondary door. Set your traps parallel against an edge with the back to something if you can. If you get a coon that rolls your traps stake them down. If you have one stealing your bait wire or zip tie it in the back of the trap. As said above peanut butter works great. I scoop it with a mash mellow or two. Skunks LOVE peanut butter BTW
If you catch a skunk you will need a bed sheet. Hold the sheet tight to your body with your hands by your shoulders so its not blowing in the wind and you aren't tripping over it but can still walk SLOWLY while hiding your feet. I personally speak gently to the skunk like id talk to a puppy or something. If the skunk gets antsy stomping it front feet or doing circles STOP walking. The sheet breaks up your shape so you are one dimensional and it cannot see your leg movement. It also would shield you from spray. (15+ years I've never been sprayed) Then from front to back on the trap slowly lay the sheet over it. They sometimes will spray when you pick the trap up or put it in the back of the truck.
If you catch a skunk you will need a bed sheet. Hold the sheet tight to your body with your hands by your shoulders so its not blowing in the wind and you aren't tripping over it but can still walk SLOWLY while hiding your feet. I personally speak gently to the skunk like id talk to a puppy or something. If the skunk gets antsy stomping it front feet or doing circles STOP walking. The sheet breaks up your shape so you are one dimensional and it cannot see your leg movement. It also would shield you from spray. (15+ years I've never been sprayed) Then from front to back on the trap slowly lay the sheet over it. They sometimes will spray when you pick the trap up or put it in the back of the truck.
2/27/2012 10:45:11 AM
Originally Posted By Badlatitude:
I do nuisance wildlife control for a living and use sardines in oil. I believe they are beach cliff brand (Bumblebee brand does not catch as well) It allows you to put scent trails and will carry through light to moderate rain. Avoid double door traps. If you already have one just set the main door and bend the door catch tab over the door bar of the secondary door. Set your traps parallel against an edge with the back to something if you can. If you get a coon that rolls your traps stake them down. If you have one stealing your bait wire or zip tie it in the back of the trap. As said above peanut butter works great. I scoop it with a mash mellow or two. Skunks LOVE peanut butter BTW
If you catch a skunk you will need a bed sheet. Hold the sheet tight to your body with your hands by your shoulders so its not blowing in the wind and you aren't tripping over it but can still walk SLOWLY while hiding your feet. I personally speak gently to the skunk like id talk to a puppy or something. If the skunk gets antsy stomping it front feet or doing circles STOP walking. The sheet breaks up your shape so you are one dimensional and it cannot see your leg movement. It also would shield you from spray. (15+ years I've never been sprayed) Then from front to back on the trap slowly lay the sheet over it. They sometimes will spray when you pick the trap up or put it in the back of the truck.
I do nuisance wildlife control for a living and use sardines in oil. I believe they are beach cliff brand (Bumblebee brand does not catch as well) It allows you to put scent trails and will carry through light to moderate rain. Avoid double door traps. If you already have one just set the main door and bend the door catch tab over the door bar of the secondary door. Set your traps parallel against an edge with the back to something if you can. If you get a coon that rolls your traps stake them down. If you have one stealing your bait wire or zip tie it in the back of the trap. As said above peanut butter works great. I scoop it with a mash mellow or two. Skunks LOVE peanut butter BTW
If you catch a skunk you will need a bed sheet. Hold the sheet tight to your body with your hands by your shoulders so its not blowing in the wind and you aren't tripping over it but can still walk SLOWLY while hiding your feet. I personally speak gently to the skunk like id talk to a puppy or something. If the skunk gets antsy stomping it front feet or doing circles STOP walking. The sheet breaks up your shape so you are one dimensional and it cannot see your leg movement. It also would shield you from spray. (15+ years I've never been sprayed) Then from front to back on the trap slowly lay the sheet over it. They sometimes will spray when you pick the trap up or put it in the back of the truck.
What about a .22 from a distance while still in the trap?
2/27/2012 11:38:07 AM
I use a CB cap, thru both lungs.
I stay low, move slow, and talk to them.
USUALLY nod off, slowly to eternal sleep.
But most all I kill are in footholds.
You can use a syringe, of a common chemical , on a push pole, into the lungs as well.
I stay low, move slow, and talk to them.
USUALLY nod off, slowly to eternal sleep.
But most all I kill are in footholds.
You can use a syringe, of a common chemical , on a push pole, into the lungs as well.
2/27/2012 1:59:33 PM
We have a Co2 chamber to euthanize the critters. We tried the injections years ago but it was more of a hassle than anything else for us.
2/27/2012 3:12:54 PM
Couple friends that do nuisance work also go the CO2 route.
Most all of mine are incidentals on my canine line, so I just pop them thru both lungs these days.
Most all of mine are incidentals on my canine line, so I just pop them thru both lungs these days.
2/27/2012 4:05:41 PM
I use cat/dog food and shoot them with cb caps or a 22 pellet rifle in the trap. I also mounted my trap to a 2x12 to stop them from moving it.
2/27/2012 4:20:09 PM
Originally Posted By memyselfandi:
http://www.valuemd.com/attachments/uag-medical-school-classifieds/7731d1215121174-cat-cat.jpg
http://www.valuemd.com/attachments/uag-medical-school-classifieds/7731d1215121174-cat-cat.jpg
I've got a problem with either possum(s) or coon(s) digging in my burn pile for stuff that still smells good after being roasted with fire and plastic. I'm about to get chickens and am worried this thing(s) will tare into my coop or dig under and get at them. I've got 2 dogs and 3 cats and its still not afraid to come around. No its not these animals getting in. The prints left behind are big like a coon and it has to climb into the burn barrel to get at the stuff.
Whats the best bait to use in a cage trap for either animal?
Why go to the trouble of trapping when a quick $.02 lead injection works much quicker?
2/29/2012 6:55:24 PM
Originally Posted By Rick_NE:
Why go to the trouble of trapping when a quick $.02 lead injection works much quicker?
Originally Posted By memyselfandi:
http://www.valuemd.com/attachments/uag-medical-school-classifieds/7731d1215121174-cat-cat.jpg
http://www.valuemd.com/attachments/uag-medical-school-classifieds/7731d1215121174-cat-cat.jpg
I've got a problem with either possum(s) or coon(s) digging in my burn pile for stuff that still smells good after being roasted with fire and plastic. I'm about to get chickens and am worried this thing(s) will tare into my coop or dig under and get at them. I've got 2 dogs and 3 cats and its still not afraid to come around. No its not these animals getting in. The prints left behind are big like a coon and it has to climb into the burn barrel to get at the stuff.
Whats the best bait to use in a cage trap for either animal?
Why go to the trouble of trapping when a quick $.02 lead injection works much quicker?
Can't always be there and especially in the middle of the night. Catch them before they reach the chicken coup, then in the morning I can dispatch them at my convenience.
