Best Shed Traps

[Transka]

Interested in building one but not really sure if its legal in Washington state or not just curious on some methods on what works best 
Transka

[tjthebest]

Wow... this is what shed hunting has come down too.. sad

[trophyhunt]

It not like traps are new, they have been around a while.  I don't think it's a big deal, but if you do it on public prop, I'm sure some azz hat will mess with it. Seems a few believe public property means its yours if you find it!!  I've seen pics of a trap that looks like a cattle trough, with bungee cords above the feed. You would want to cover the feed so it doesn't get wet, helps keep it fresh i suppose.  Not illegal by the way.

[LRP]

You are not doing the deer any favors.  I had two bucks that got into one of those traps and then not only entangled themselves but also got tangled together.  One buck was dragging the other around until it collapsed.  Both were near death when I cut the bungee cord from them.  Those traps kill our wildlife.  BAD IDEA.

[jackelope]

Agreed. No good. I'm sure a biologist or 2 might chime in here too with an educated reason. Do the deer a favor and don't build an antler trap. 

[trophyhunt]

Your best bet is to feed them to keep them in a certain area, then just go looking!

[MountainWalk]

Not cool.    Fence lines are good places to look though.

[Transka]

kinda what I was thinking way mor efun to walk around and have that fun when you do find one

[Huntbear]

This conversation happened more or less about a year ago.. I do believe the LEOs on here said it is at best Harassing Wildlife...  Not real ethical...

That said,, I find one on public land, it will not be working any longer.. they are dangerous to the wildlife and can as stated above cause harm and injury... we still have a lot of winter left, lets not stress the animals even more...   

IF sheds mean that much to you, that you care less about the health of the animals.. you have other issues anyway... 

[boneaddict]

Use the money you were going to build the trap with and buy some sheds off of ebay.  Just about as rewarding and a whole lot safer to wildlife.

[Bigtine96]

Use the money you were going to build the trap with and buy some sheds off of ebay.  Just about as rewarding and a whole lot safer to wildlife.

  Its essentially the exact same thing since you didn't find them

[PolarBear]

Use the money you were going to build the trap with and buy some sheds off of ebay.  Just about as rewarding and a whole lot safer to wildlife.

[Hawgdawg]

How many you looking for.............??

[snowpack]

just use a trashcan with apples and corn in it.  When they try to stick their head in to reach the food in the bottom they can knock antlers loose.  You have to secure it so they don't tip it over first.  Oh, and bears can ruin it.

[jackelope]

Or just let them fall off naturally and not knock them off prematurely.

[adamR]

If you absolutely feel the need to have an antler trap at least do it naturally.  Find some brush that overhangs a few feet.  Put some corn or something so the bucks have to squeeze under the brush to get the bait.  When they duck under, and the antlers are ready, the brush will knock them off without harming the deer.

[pat2bear]

I hate the idea of traps that actually grab hold of the antler. Seems like you run too much of a risk of trapping the animal or doing harm to them if the antlers are not ready to drop. The trash can idea seems possible. Personally, I like the idea of just putting a trough or something underneath a branch or low hanging limbs for them to simply bump their heads on. It could work and you don't run the risk of hurting the animal. 

[grundy53]

Use the money you were going to build the trap with and buy some sheds off of ebay.  Just about as rewarding and a whole lot safer to wildlife.

sent from my typewriter

[jackelope]

What's funny is if you look at this topic in threads from 2-3 years ago, a lot of guys are in support of antler traps...instructions on how to build them, pictures, etc. Now in the annual antler trap thread 2014 version, nobody likes them. Maybe the pro-antler trap crowd just hasn't showed up yet.

[Buckhunter24]

Interested in building one but not really sure if its legal in Washington state or not just curious on some methods on what works best I have tried the chicken wire between to t posts before with no luck would love to see some pictures of ones that work well

Transka

Hike for them. What happens when a buck gets tangled in that.

Edit: You also say you already tried one with chicken wire and are not really sure if its legal.

[runamuk]

gosh sounds like shooting a turkey off a roost


instead of building a trap why not just dump deer snacks in an existing slash pile and if you insist on doing this please don't haul garbage into the woods to build it (inner tubes, rope, wire etc)  I get tired of hauling all that garbage back out.

[KillZ 4 Thrilz]

build a fence, make them jump.... natural act, harmless 

[motg9_6]

   4 wires hand full of posts and put a feeder in the middle will get the same results.night like he idea of putting feed in the brush. I'm not against trapping just trapps shouldnt be put out till you know they are loosing antlers easily.

[Transka]

ok sounds like hiking around is going to be the best options
Thanks for the input

Transka

[elkh8me]

Use the money you were going to build the trap with and buy some sheds off of ebay.  Just about as rewarding and a whole lot safer to wildlife.

my thoughts as well

[Maverick]

Transka, I pm'd you the other day.

[deaner]

pile of alfalfa in the back yard got me 4 sheds last year and 3 this year, no wires or tricky stuff needed 

[calledinsick]

Much more rewarding to find them while out on snow shoes or hiking.  I have never used traps, but I agree bait near natural brush or roots from fallen trees to hang up the antlers would work with no harm to the deer.
A friend of mine would nail a coffee can with corn to a tree. said it worked well.

[Special T]

3 t posts on YOUR property take a piece of stiff pannel hog wire and make a 90deg corner with the t posts ancoring the hog pannel. 2 3'x3' pieces will work. place the aplles alfalfa, grain near the corner of the trap. IMO not much different that a normal fence as far a danger to the animal. I do not have one of these but know some one who has used it with decent results. You milage may vary... I personally think it would be a great way to see the kind of animals in your area as well as feed them.