Best Shed Traps

[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.