Anyone interested in learning basic trapping? - Page 3

nebrhuntress · #31 (**permalink**) 11-16-2007, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmrschessie

P.S. and I do not recommend the bow unless you are hunting the animal. Not as a method of dispatching a trapped animal.

No, I did mean when I am hunting!

**tmrschessie** · #32 (**permalink**) 11-16-2007, 05:52 PM

No problem. Tom

Krol · #33 (**permalink**) 11-19-2007, 02:13 PM

What is the best bait for coons when using live traps?

**tmrschessie** · #34 (**permalink**) 11-19-2007, 02:21 PM

I like to mix Jack Mackeral and a cheap canned cat food based on fish. Put about a table spoon in the back of the trap and they will come. Save the juice from the mackeral and make a trailing scent into the trap. Also dry cat food works well, just trail a few pieces into the trap and a small pile in the rear of the trap. I also make sure there are leaves, grass, or straw on the cage floor. Hope this helps, let us know if you catch them... Tom

coyote_buster · #35 (**permalink**) 12-02-2007, 06:58 PM

Dont know if anyone else does this but would it work very well to put a log in a trail, say 4-6 inches in dia., then put a foothold on one side of it so when they step over they step down on your trap, making it more likely for them to step where you want them to, would it work for coyotes with a bigger log, also, could i catch rabbits with a 110, or squirrells, gunna get my cage traps for rabbits set out one of these days when i get some time. Is bread with vanilla extract a good bait for them. What about using a #1 foothold for them. I've got some rabbits roaming around and maybe if I can trap them it will give me a bit of a confidence boost on my trapping ability, and fill my belly.

**tmrschessie** · #36 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 02:08 AM

Yes, this is called a " blind trail set" it is very effective on raccoon in trails they travel heavily. You do not need a stick that big, normally pencil diameter will work. Down side, you do not know which critter will be down the trail next, so you don't know which size trap to use. A more target specific set like some described in the post "dedicated to the new trapper" in this forum details some of them. 110 can catch rabbits as can the nr1. Best choice would be the cage trap and use field corn. Just place an ear of corn in the rear of your cage trap. Tom

**tmrschessie** · #37 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 04:48 PM

Exposed trap set for cats, Just set the trap, a number 3 is good, in a tight spot were the cat is going naturally. Put a small stick on each side (small enough so the cat won't step on it and large enough the cat will be forced over it) Leave the pan exposed, it is a target for the cat's foot. Some folks make the pan bigger by adding a piece of shingle to the pan. Try it, it does work. Tom

**tmrschessie** · #38 (**permalink**) 12-24-2007, 06:22 AM

Rubbing set, Find a place along the trail where there is a tree right next to the trail. Place a good rubbing lure, something with some catnip does well, about 12 to 18 inches from the ground, smear it on the tree. Bed your trap centered on the lure location in the trail. The exposed trap set works here also. You can also narrow the trail by placing a log along the the trail opposite of the tree. This can act as a jaw guard on that side also. A piece of fiber fill hung can also be used to help bring the cat in....Tom

**tmrschessie** · #39 (**permalink**) 12-26-2007, 01:43 AM

Trench Set: As the name implies, dig a trench about 6 feet long, Place a well staked trap on each end and a buried bait in the middle with a call lure on it. This set is very effective for K9's. The principle behind this is that as the k9 circles the bait it will be caught in one of the traps. Doubles are common in this set. Tom

NECoyoteHunter · #40 (**permalink**) 12-26-2007, 09:59 AM

Tom,

When you were discussing stakes, you mentioned that the stakes should be smooth? Why is that? Rebar has ribs and I would think that would give better "gripping" power. Or is that overkill?

**tmrschessie** · #41 (**permalink**) 12-26-2007, 12:32 PM

With the ribs on the rebar a coyote can actually jack the stake out of the ground. Put a rebar stake through a universal swivel, then let it slide down and pull up like a coyote would. You will see what I mean. Now if you are using long chains so they can not get the leverage on the stake there should be no problem with jacking the stake, but then you have a potential pull out problem on lite caught yotes. I have found that the longer smooth rod stake eliminates most of the problems. If you cross stake then it is easier to pull the smooth rod stakes also. A Single 30 inch smooth rod can usually be pulled with a pair of vice grips, clamp them on, make a complete revolution or two and pull up....Don't get me wrong, rebar will work, just smooth rod for me works easier. Tom

**tmrschessie** · #42 (**permalink**) 12-31-2007, 12:26 PM

Scratch up set: Very popular with cat trappers, but effective for many different predators. Once a set such as a dirt hole conects, just push all the weeds etc into a pile over the existing hole in a heap. Shove a piece of bait down the hole and a little cat urine misted to one side or the other is very effective. A lure that has good calling power can also be put behind the hole and under the chaff that is scraped up. The idea is that a cat that has made a kill scratched a covering over what was not eaten. Try it, very effective. Tom

NECoyoteHunter · #43 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 01:22 PM

OK, that makes sense. I have access to 3/8" rods that are several feet long. with a nut already attached to the top of them. they are smooth rods with theads at the other end. They are used to hold large wire spools together. I can have them cut to any size and have a point put on them. What size would be optimal for holding snares and traps for coons?

Also, I trap along the Platte River. What can I use to anchor slide wires in the river? The sand is very soft and I tried a standard size Berkshire Stake and I was able to easily pull it out of the soft sand. Previously, I have used 20-25 pounds of steel, but that gets old in a hurry carrying that stuff around! I was wondering if I used a 4 foot stake as described above? Could a coon work something that long out of the bottom of the river? Any other ideas?

**tmrschessie** · #44 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 02:39 PM

You can use a 2 foot stake on the bank end and a 3 or 4 foot on the drowner end. They may work a little out, but normally they succumb to hypothermia very quick and will be waiting for you in the morning. I have the same sand problem you do. Angle your stake slightly away from the bank, so if the drown lock fails the coon does not get a straight pull on the bottom stake just the opposite on the up end. Tom