How To: Using cage traps

[Tony Hursman]

Cage traps offer a unique way of catching animals. They will catch and hold them alive damage free. They will get you more trapping ground by having this ability. Why you say because most farmers have cats and dogs and these are by far the best traps for that type of situation. Cage traps come in varying sizes with a vast array of trigger styles and either drop down doors or the swing down style.

The drop down style door trap.



The swing down door style.



These two styles make up the majority of cage traps. But there is also the wooden box traps. The wooden traps have taken many species of fur bearers.

When deciding to use cage traps. You first have to look at all the different types of cages out there for your use in taking the animal that you choose. For this example we will use the coon as our target animal. So when looking for a cage trap to take coon we need to look for certain things with in the cage that would allow us to take the coon safely and with out damage to the coon or cage.

The first thing is the size of trap. Sizes vary from 8x8x12 to 12x12x36. The size ranges fall through out these sizes given. The best Ive found have been the 12x12x36. Why you ask. Well this size. I like them because as the door closes on the trap whether it be a swing down door or a slide down door style. The door will close with out the animals tails being caught. This aspect alone will save you some lost animals. This size lends it self to taking the largest coon to the smallest coon. If using something smaller. You may have a coon that wont fit into the trap. Where as if you use the larger trap thats not a concern. Now door style on the trap is a personal choice. Both work equally as good as the other. But if your moving and transporting these two cage styles a drop down door trap will require more room for transport. Where as the swing down style you can stack them one on the other with no problem.

Now the wire construction of the cages. I have used many types of wire on the cage traps from the 1x2 through the 1/4x1/4 inch meshes. The best Ive seen and found to use is the 1x1 mesh. Lots of repairs with the others vs the 1x1 mesh. Now when deciding upon your trap wire design you want a double layer of mesh on the trigger and bait housing area with the mesh being placed so it is off set from the other mesh. This will not allow the coon to reach into the cage and set it off. Plus you can set the bait in the very back of cage with out worrying about the coon stealing the bait with out entering the cage. Another feature that comes with some cage traps are the bait doors. I highly recommend a bait door on your cage. It makes it so much easier to add or remove bait from the cage.



Once we have looked at these features and you have decided on your type and style of cage trap. We need to discuss setting and baiting the cage traps.

When setting your cage traps for coon. In barns the cage trap can be set any where in the barn where you have found some sign and or travel corridors the coon are using. Once you place the trap in the barns or buildings you will need a way to secure the trap at that position. Why you ask. Well coon will roll the cages and they can push them all over the place if not secured into position. When they do this they will inadvertently set the trap off. This you don't want to happen. So make sure that you get your trap secured in such away that the coon cant make off with the cage. Once the trap is secured. You can apply some footing material on top of the floor surface as this will make the trap more inviting to the animal. There is also another benefit from this practice. Once the coon is in the trap and caught he will concentrate more on destroying the materials in the trap than destroying the cage trap. You can apply material to the out side of the cage trap as well. Seeing the dark hole that is produced when covering the out side of the cage in cover material will also aid in the animal entering the cage trap. This also benefits you when using this material the coon seem to stay calmer when trapped in a cage covered in material. Thus keeping the coon from fighting the trap.

Baiting a cage trap. I like to make a food trough at the back of my cage traps. I take a 1 1/2 plastic pipe cut it to the width of the back of the cage. Once that is cut then i will cut out the center half of pipe this forms the trough. Then it is secured in the back of cage. And the food or lure is placed in the trough. Now another way is to leave the trap uncovered. In doing this some dry cat food can be spread over the trigger. Also spread just a bit outside of cage. This gives them a taste and forces them into the cage to retrieve the rest of food.

When setting and baiting traps out side alot of the same principles apply. Find the coon trails and food sources and set the traps of to the side of trails. I like to cover my cage traps due not only to the fact that it keeps the coon calmer and giving them some thing to chew on. It keeps the theft issues down as well. But the one thing in the out doors that i do every time that i don't always do in side. Is to cover the bottom of the cage with grass or hay or pine needles. I want the bottom of the trap to match the surrounding ground as this keeps them from becoming to alarmed and alerting them away from the trap. Ive found that any material covering on the bottom of the trap out side is always a plus for coon. Using these techniques will produce coon for the cage traps.

Besure and add some of your thoughts on this subject.

[tmrschessie]

Another good post Tony, I also cover the bottoms of my cage traps regardless of the critter I am after. Thank You for the post.....I really liked your food trough idea also. Tom

[Tony Hursman]

It gives them something to focus on besides chewing on the cage. So it serves to purposes.

[skunkhunter]

Great post, Tony! I have never thought of covering the bottoms before, and your bait trough should be indestructable.

[Tony Hursman]

They will chew on them pretty good but they cant do much damage. It keeps them from chewing on the wire and bending the trigger rods in the cages.

[tmrschessie]

Originally Posted by skunkhunter

Great post, Tony! I have never thought of covering the bottoms before, and your bait trough should be indestructable.

That is funny also as I put in the story "Dedicated to the new trapper" that the young man and his dad got some leaves to put in the bottom of the cage traps....I belive we covered it else where a couple times...but Tony it is always good for a review once in a while...Great post. Thanks Again. Tom

[skunkhunter]

Yeah, I've got a lot to learn. That's why I like this forum, there's so much to learn and
in my case, re-learn.