Coon trapping tips

[yankees2]

Looking forward to getting into some coon trapping an not the pesky neighborhood raider but I mean real wild coons that run on the streams and stuff. Just wondering if thier was anything I could learn on placement of traps, when, bait, scents, and anything else that would help.

[dscubame]

Me too.  Following along.

[yankees2]

Yeah they actually sell for decent prices to is what I'm hearing if you take care of them.

[Turner89]

I'm trying to do the same. I'm just setting them like a mink set, with muskrat carcass along a river. I had something in it last night, but I must not have had the door latched.....It got away with the rat. I'm assuming it was a raccoon.

[JODakota]

I'm trying to do the same. I'm just setting them like a mink set, with muskrat carcass along a river. I had something in it last night, but I must not have had the door latched.....It got away with the rat. I'm assuming it was a raccoon.

Ditch the muskrat, when it comes to coon think sweet or fishy.

[CementFinisher]

absolutely something sweet or fishy. mink or possum probably stole the carcass

[dbfalls]

I've caught four in the last two weeks between rain storms. I have always used marshmallows they love them. But keep a supply on hand because they have a tendency to melt in the rain.

[ouchfoss]

My bait of choice for coons has been dry cat food with some salmon bone and unedible chunks that I canned up. If there's coon in the area, they can't resist it. Might take a few days for them to commit to going in the trap, but they eventually go in. Plus, if there is ANY way for them to reach their hand through the sides of cage, they will steal your food and trip your trigger countless times and never actually go in the cage. You either have to do some really good covering with something like cardboard or actually wire something flat to the sides of the cage to cover it  up totally. If your wire mesh is around 1x1/2 inch, I think that's small enough so they can't get their paws thru but that size is usually 16 gauge or smaller which isn't the best to make your whole cage out of. I use it in just the door and the very back of my cages.

[ouchfoss]

The canned salmon chunks work awesome for not only bait, but a really good scent too. I usually use a few table spoon sized chunks of fish and pour some of that strong smelling oil/broth out of the jar. It only takes 3 or 4 good sized fish carcasses to have more than enough bait for all season.

[dscubame]

My bait of choice for coons has been dry cat food with some salmon bone and unedible chunks that I canned up. If there's coon in the area, they can't resist it. Might take a few days for them to commit to going in the trap, but they eventually go in. Plus, if there is ANY way for them to reach their hand through the sides of cage, they will steal your food and trip your trigger countless times and never actually go in the cage. You either have to do some really good covering with something like cardboard or actually wire something flat to the sides of the cage to cover it  up totally. If your wire mesh is around 1x1/2 inch, I think that's small enough so they can't get their paws thru but that size is usually 16 gauge or smaller which isn't the best to make your whole cage out of. I use it in just the door and the very back of my cages.

Right on.  I have lost the sardines twice now with a tripped trap and no animal.  You have explained why and what I need to do tonight.  Bait in the far back.  Thanks.  Back at it...

[3nails]

 Also, if they are raiding the bait from the sides put some underneath the cage. I always put some slightly under the pan.

[Carp Commander]

When it comes to coons in cages I like to wire a shiny can (soup can with the label off) in the back of the trap to place bait in.

I stay away from anything fishy as it catches way to many skunks.

Sweet is the way to go. I like marshmallows, peanut butter and vanilla wafers.

Make sure the trap is bedded well and will not move. Place a log or something on the top of the cage. Coons will climb on top of the cage and fire the trap.

Place some bait in the entrance as a confidence booster.

Good luck!

[BOWHUNTER45]

When it comes to coons in cages I like to wire a shiny can (soup can with the label off) in the back of the trap to place bait in.

I stay away from anything fishy as it catches way to many skunks.

Sweet is the way to go. I like marshmallows, peanut butter and vanilla wafers.

Make sure the trap is bedded well and will not move. Place a log or something on the top of the cage. Coons will climb on top of the cage and fire the trap.

Place some bait in the entrance as a confidence booster.

Good luck!

I never used live traps but when I trapped with foot holds I would put Aluminum Foil over the pans and place in about 2 inches of water ..Deadly for coon ! Anything shinny in the water catches coon ...do you place your traps in the water or set them on land ?

[dbfalls]

That's right carp commander sweet the way to go for coons. And if you guys are having trouble with coons reaching through the wire, then you need to go to 1"X1" squares. Like Comstock or Advance traps uses, then if you have the double power door trap that Advance Traps makes. Open both doors and hang the marshmallows on the trigger wire get them every time.