Author Topic: You gotta be kiddin' me! (Read 11995 times)

billythekidrock · « **on:** January 11, 2011, 09:03:52 PM »

This guy hung around the trap for 6 minutes the other night.

But never got closer than this.

You can tell that he hears the squeaker box, but he never checks it out.

ICEMAN · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2011, 09:07:26 PM »

billythekidrock · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2011, 09:16:06 PM »

But wait......there's more.

One from a couple weeks ago.

A little washed out, but you can still tell it's a kitty.

bobcat · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2011, 09:20:14 PM »

Geez, how about rigging up a shotgun on a tree, with a tripwire so that when the kitty walks by he'll get his butt shot?

billythekidrock · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2011, 09:22:00 PM »

I know.....

I just want to catch one of them.... I don't care which one.

scoutsniper17 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2011, 09:55:30 PM »

have you tried hanging a small feather in the back of the trap off of a piece of fishing line?Works like a champ,peaks their curiosity.

Humptulips · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2011, 11:39:11 PM »

Hell of a difference between getting one in a cage on the eastside as opposed to the west side. You stand a better chance if you get some real miserable weather but some just will not go in.IMHO

rasbo · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2011, 04:48:18 AM »

good luck,there is so much food,and the warm temps here it makes a difference..Ive got beaver meat,and a piece of fur with a little meat left on it hanging in the back of the cage,The lure is under the cage...Ive had yotes within inches of the traps,they dont even investgate...I set my traps so I can check them with binos now..Hoping that might make a difference..Its getting costly checking traps.I might pull them all..

billythekidrock · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2011, 05:15:15 AM »

Quote from: scoutsniper17 on January 11, 2011, 09:55:30 PM

have you tried hanging a small feather in the back of the trap off of a piece of fishing line?Works like a champ,peaks their curiosity.

Both have feathers on the ground inside and a wing hanging. The first one also has a box inside that chirps like a bird.

tlbradford · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2011, 05:37:37 AM »

Awesome, but I feel your pain. Good luck.

Skyvalhunter · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2011, 05:39:30 AM »

Sweet!! I feel his pain feeling your pain.

Beartrap · « **Reply #11 on:** January 12, 2011, 06:00:15 PM »

Keep it simple, and be patient.At times it can be painful seeing kitty's so close but yet so far away. Try some shrimp shells or crab shells. Good Luck

quadrafire · « **Reply #12 on:** January 12, 2011, 06:09:38 PM »

Stick a leg trap out there where he is looking in from, that should help. Then shove him in the box when you come to check it. That should be legal right?

Hannibal · « **Reply #13 on:** January 13, 2011, 01:50:11 PM »

I have never been a fan of Squeakers,,,,

Maybe try not hiding the cage as much,,,,,aka set it on the trail with the trap 90 degree off,,,,

Then maybe you need a lure of some sort to get him looking in the hole? fur or legal feather with eyes? A blue teddy bear??

I also do not see any flagging,,,,,Cats and dogs see Blue very well

###### Disclaimer#########
^^^^^^^ I am not a Cat Expert........ YET!^^^^^^^^^^

rasbo · « **Reply #14 on:** January 13, 2011, 02:03:31 PM »

beaver meat...in the trap

Humptulips · « **Reply #15 on:** January 13, 2011, 09:57:24 PM »

Dave,
Flagging? Usually used to bring the cat to the set. I think that part is done. Getting him in the trap? I'm not sure I have a good answer. I've caught them in cages but few. It is discouraging. Just had a trail cam the other day with a cat standing in front of my trap. Nice piece of beaver meat inside. I've had them sit down under the door and not go in.
The only thing I can say is on a nice day and that includes cold and clear or snow I've never caught one. Always a really miserable, cold, storming, pouring down rain period when I have had luck.
When I trapped with foot holds here and in OR the catch always goes up in that kind of weather so I think they are just hungry and want out of the weather. Nice weather is too easy for them.
Tried a new knid of trap this year to solve the problem but it isn't working out. Thinking pretty strongly about the double door traps I'm seeing but jeez they're big.
Hate to say this but it might come down to change the law or go out of state.

ICEMAN · « **Reply #16 on:** January 14, 2011, 04:52:06 AM »

Melted vanilla icecream.

Our cat would crawl into anything to get at that stuff.....

Kain · « **Reply #17 on:** January 14, 2011, 09:12:25 AM »

Catnip behind the pan.

Hannibal · « **Reply #18 on:** January 14, 2011, 11:46:30 AM »

Yes bruce flagging,,,,,, I believe it triggers a curiosity instinct in many animals,,,,, The key is getting the curiosity to continue...... because
.... as you have stated food is abundant on the west side,,,
We also don't have the sustained winds to blow a "lure" object around and create movement inside the cage

I only know of One guy who "said" be caught a good number of cats in cages on the west side,,,,,, But I never saw pictures

Valerian is in many lures......

Humptulips · « **Reply #19 on:** January 14, 2011, 12:20:01 PM »

Dave,
I've always been a location is number 1 guy. If you are on location I don't think the breeze to blow the lure around is signifigant. Cats are really underrated on their nose. They can smell the lure fine. Seen a number of videos where the cat sniffed the door of the cage where the trapper touched it. The cat in the pitures in this thread could smell any lure there, so a breeze to blow the scent is inconsequential. Them hanging up out side the set I think is unavoidable some times. Don't think it didn't happen before we had to use cages.
Some will not go in no matter what you stick in there but the walk through cages I'm intrigued by. Has new possibilities which gives me hope.

boneaddict · « **Reply #20 on:** January 14, 2011, 12:24:25 PM »

Someone mentioned "legal" feather. Just curious what was meant. Are their illegal ones to use, (I mena other than say a Bald eagle.

) Just curious if there were any regs.

rasbo · « **Reply #21 on:** January 14, 2011, 12:25:37 PM »

all my traps are on sign and some were pre baited,I have the good cages that all the high desert guys use{yancy}still no takers,.the colder it gets the more sign I find,but so far nil.long cold temps is key,im sure...

Hannibal · « **Reply #22 on:** January 14, 2011, 02:56:55 PM »

Bruce .....I am calling the "Visual Attractant" that is in on the inside of the cage..... a "lure"........
I agree with location,,,,,, Otters tell me that even a couple of feet or a differnt angle can make a difference

Anyone ever try a mirror secured to the back of the cage? It will work for coon,,,,

Rasbo has been prebaiting without success....so that is out,,,,,

Sounds like we need a grant for research....

Cylvertip · « **Reply #23 on:** January 14, 2011, 02:59:05 PM »

I know WDFW frowns on wood pecker and blue jay feathers. If you have those or similar on your sets you may be in for a heap of trouble. What ever you use should be from a bird that's legal to kill.

jager · « **Reply #24 on:** January 14, 2011, 03:01:23 PM »

Quote from: Cylvertip on January 14, 2011, 02:59:05 PM

I know WDFW frowns on wood pecker and blue jay feathers. If you have those or similar on your sets you may be in for a heap of trouble. What ever you use should be from a bird that's legal to kill.

Yes, I believe it would have to be a game bird feather....not of any protected species or songbirds

Kain · « **Reply #25 on:** January 14, 2011, 03:10:12 PM »

You could use house sparrows and starlings all you want.

Humptulips · « **Reply #26 on:** January 14, 2011, 03:12:12 PM »

Quote from: Hannibal on January 14, 2011, 02:56:55 PM

Bruce .....I am calling the "Visual Attractant" that is in on the inside of the cage a lure........

I see what you're saying now and yea the wind to move that "lure" around could make the difference.

Hannibal · « **Reply #27 on:** January 14, 2011, 03:20:29 PM »

I have been tring to "google" some kind of motion activated device,,,, that would work inside the cage...BUT,,,,my internet speed makes it about imposable....

Something that could make a "lure" move.......

rasbo · « **Reply #28 on:** January 14, 2011, 03:26:34 PM »

I though about hanging a rabbit head by the ears,but havent done that

TeacherMan · « **Reply #29 on:** January 15, 2011, 08:27:42 AM »

This year in AK I'm using pink feather and tinsel boas from the little kids section at Walmart, great attractors. I put them about 10' up in the willows so cats can see them from a distance. Most of my sets are under marten leaning poles with grouse wings also hanging from that pole but I have box trapped cats as well.

What size trap are you using? I liked a 14" x 22" opening on my cage and then I would make it more tunnel like than closed cubby like with a nice piece of beaver or muskrat in the back with beaver castor also. But them I would also take a small piece of tinfoil or bright colored feather and put it in a dirt hole under the trap so they could see it just poking out under the pan area, Curiosity killed the cat.

wingnuts · « **Reply #30 on:** January 15, 2011, 06:45:34 PM »

well I've resorted to picking up road kill possum.Say a muskrat sitting on a colony trap a few weeks ago but nothing since. I must admit I'm trying to blame it on lack of animals, but I'm setting on fresh tracks on a worn path along pond in snow, and where I've seen animals or heavy sign.Patience I guess.

rasbo · « **Reply #31 on:** January 15, 2011, 06:48:53 PM »

heck Im gonna put some canibis sativa in there and catch a cool cat..

fatslinger · « **Reply #32 on:** January 15, 2011, 07:27:47 PM »

At least I caught something in my bobcat trap!
(I am trying to post a pic.--hope it comes through)

rasbo · « **Reply #33 on:** January 16, 2011, 06:20:03 AM »

Quote from: fatslinger on January 15, 2011, 07:27:47 PM

At least I caught something in my bobcat trap!
(I am trying to post a pic.--hope it comes through)

nice one :chuckle:thats better than the damn grinners Ive got this year I hate them

TeacherMan · « **Reply #34 on:** January 16, 2011, 12:36:44 PM »

good looking box trap

fatslinger · « **Reply #35 on:** January 16, 2011, 01:56:45 PM »

It's a good, sturdy trap (2'X2'X4'). The problem is that it's so bulky and heavy, I have a hard time carrying it to a spot far enough away from houses. Last year I used a smaller trap (Yancy size). I was able to get it a lot farther off the beaten path, but the cats refused to go in. I have trailcam pics of one sniffing around, but just wouldn't go in. I'm not sure what the answer is, but if anybody is having success w/ cages on the west side, please share your secrets.

Hannibal · « **Reply #36 on:** January 16, 2011, 02:25:09 PM »

OK....I have an Idea.....A Great one!. All you westsiders can sponsor Bruce and I on a "Fact finding Mission" (rassy,,you can tag along IF you behave)....

It will be a small investment that would pay dividends 10 fold

Just send money to the D&B Foundation........

wingnuts · « **Reply #37 on:** January 16, 2011, 06:17:46 PM »

As soon as I catch this last coon, I plan to go after a bobcat with my "big trap".It is an old tamahawk model. I have caught two coyotes in it over the years, but it is giant and heavy.I need to catch me some good bait though.Possum just don't cut it!

Humptulips · « **Reply #38 on:** January 16, 2011, 07:12:05 PM »

Here's an idea for any of you to try.
I was talking to a guy today and he said he bought little toy birds at the dollar store and hung them on a swivel in the back of his cage. He also said he kept the cage somewhat uncovered so the breeze would have a better flow through.
A disclaimer, the guy is from the eastside and he hasn't caught a huge amount of cats by his own admission. Worth a try though.

rasbo · « **Reply #39 on:** January 17, 2011, 04:31:22 AM »

Quote from: Hannibal on January 16, 2011, 02:25:09 PM

OK....I have an Idea.....A Great one!. All you westsiders can sponsor Bruce and I on a "Fact finding Mission" (rassy,,you can tag along IF you behave)....

It will be a small investment that would pay dividends 10 fold

Just send money to the D&B Foundation........

Im in lol

Beartrap · « **Reply #40 on:** January 17, 2011, 06:33:42 PM »

You might try leaving a little daylight at the back of the trap so they can see through the trap. I think that helps some.

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