Trappin Coons

[Bow_Hunter]

I am 15 and I am a 3-year trapper now. Anyways, I trap a little wooded area where I live. I have seen some big ol' coons while driving by the area on my 4-wheeler. I have always trapped here and never caught one of em. I have always greatly concealed my traps and use everything from twinkies to goldfish. It seems like all I can catch is possums. If you have any suggestions Im an open book! Also if you know how to make a homemade locking snare, I would like to find out how to make one. Thanks for your time and Good Huntin! graemlins/thumb.gif

[jmbknvc]

I am no expert on trapping, but a green horn with a couple of old-timmers that have done some trapping in the day. They tell me you got to catch up the possums in tha area first, before you can start trapping. It sound to me you are using leg hold traps and catching game. Just give it some time and as for bait, dried dog food or vanilla waffers work pretty good.

[Bow_Hunter]

I appreciate the post. I use a trap methods except conibear traps. You are right about the leg holds though. My second favorite trapping device.

Note: If anyone knows a homemade tanning solution for skins, I could sure use it! Only way I know how to tan is on my homemade stretch boards.
Good Huntin'

[walker34]

bow-hunter, I would suggest live traps if there are dog hunters in the area. If you use live traps then put peanut butter on bread and you will get them. If you are using leg hold traps then place them in water on the edge of creeks where coon walk. If you can find where a log go's out into the water you can put your trap on the log under the water line. Try and cover the trap with leaves that are already wet in the water. You can put a piece aluminum foil on the foot plate, becuse coons love shinny objects. You need to run your traps very often becuse a coon will eat his own leg off to get out. I hope this helps. I am a dog hunter so I am against folks using leg hold traps because to many dogs get in them.

[Sister]

We have a lot of possums and coons. We had more luck catching coons with apples and pears. The possums didn't seem to want those and the coons really went for them.

We caught possums by sitting a barrel next to a fence post or tree and putting sardines in the bottom of the barrel. Possums could get in, couldn't get out.

[jmbknvc]

Bow_Hunter, if you have a problem catching house dogs with your leg traps and still want to trap with leg catch, get some #1-1/2 rubber jaw traps. That is what we are using to catch game, and it will not cut or mess a dog's leg up.

Happy trapping

[Bow_Hunter]

I really dont have a problem with stray dogs and noone is allowed on the land but me. An older lady owns it and Im the only person to trap, hunt, and fish it. Seen some good deer there too!
Slick heads mostly. They were eatin on My RAX ATTRAX!! Anyways Ima gonna havta try that barrel technique of Sister's. Pretty Clever!
Good Huntin!

[Remington]

trapperman.com has a good site for trappers....For coon i trap creekbeds and feeder beds draining into creeks...any kind of fish base bait should work graemlins/thumb.gif

[Bow_Hunter]

See I have visted Trapperman.com awhile ago and did find some interesting advice. Im looking at a site right now called therangerdigest.com Very Interesting!!! I appreciate all the help you members have been. If anyone has more suggestions to me or anyone else, I would be more than interested in knowing. You can never know too much! But knowing too much sometimes gets you into trouble though. graemlins/smack.gif But Ill soak up any information like a sponge! graemlins/thumb.gif
Good Huntin'

[Remington]

im having trouble keeping the possums outta my sets right now so im not that much of a help to ya....however a fellar on here that goes by Woopig is a "master" at trapping maybe ya should ask him a few questions or maybe when he sees the thread he will be here...

[longspurs]

When I was trapping I mainly set for coon in small creeks and branches without bait. Just try to use blockers and funnel the coon down to your set. They're like anything else and will follow the path of least resistance. Use 1 1/2 or #2 coil-springs, and tie to a limber limb that will give. Like my uncle who taught me used to say, nothing will fight a trap harder than a coon!

[Bow_Hunter]

When I was trapping I mainly set for coon in small creeks and branches without bait. Just try to use blockers and funnel the coon down to your set. They're like anything else and will follow the path of least resistance.

You and my grandpa would get along great!!! He was going to show me how to trap profficiently but, hes always busy...He said the same exact words. Keep the info rolling my way if possible, and thank you very much for your advice and posts. GOOD HUNTIN'

[hillbillychaffeehunter]

I always used sardines and a can of bolo dog food mixed together.Then I would dig a small hole in the creek bank,put the mixture in the hole.put the trap under it in the water and put leaves over it.That usually kept them out of the garabage. ;)

[bowhunter958]

Here's a recipe which I used for tanning a beaver hide last year taxidermy.net/forums/TanningArticles/01/d/01EA8CE168.html It worked well, made a nice side quiver from it. Hope this helps.

[BUBBA83]

Go get em Bow_hunter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ty-Bo67]

Find you a old creek that only has water in it when it rains and right before it does set you a #2 coil spring trap out with something that smells like a rotten animal or even use a bird. Also you need to hang a squirrel's tail or a chicken wing above it to get there attention. The first time I tried this I used a squirrel and I caught a very nice size coon. graemlins/thumb.gif You may need to leave it out for a week or a little more. Just don't forget when that squirrel gets to smellin is when the coon's will get it. graemlins/thumb.gif

[CDay]

On bright full moon clear nights I used to place a nickel on the plate in clear water. This method would catch alot of coons.

Another method it to drill a 3/4" hole into about 1 1/2" to 2" deep. Placed bait in the hole and drive a 16 penny nail in at a 45 degree angle on each side of the hole but leave the head of the nail expose about 1/4". This especially works well if you can locate the den tree.

[rickie self]

Be sure and boil traps, walk up to a set wearing clean gloves and rubber boots. scent control is very important. on dirt sets , plant ground level.A bacon burn on top really works good.use drags on traps.

[Ty-Bo67]

I wouldn't use drags, I would be afraid I would loose my trap. graemlins/smack.gif

[rickie self]

saves some animals from jerking out of trap on first lunge or two.

[Ty-Bo67]

They don't get away from me. graemlins/thumb.gif

[longspurs]

Dude's trying to give you some good advice, listen!

[Trapper]

Not pointing any fingers at anyone but someone needs to read the trapping regs before they get thier butt in a ringer.

This comes from the AG&F web site, it's also in the reg book.

The use of sight bait composed of animal matter within 20 feet of a trap set is not allowed. Bait at trap sets must be adequately covered in order to withstand wave action, wind action or other normal environmental conditions.

[rickie self]

Thanks, Woopig.Have not trapped for awhile and should have looked at current regs..

[Trapper]

Your welcome but actually you weren't the one I was talking about. graemlins/thumb.gif

[Remington]

i do though and he will know better when i talk to him next time...Thanks graemlins/thumb.gif

[Trapper]

I bet he ment to say "above it and at least 20 feet away". Just an oversight I'm sure.
Be careful of using birds too. I personally know a guy that got busted for it. It wasn't a site bait violation either, he had it back in a hole. I don't remember what kind of bird but it was one that there was no season on and he just happened to find it dead along his trapline so he stuck it back in a hole. I don't know how the game warden happened to find his set but one did and it turned out the bird had been shot with a shotgun and he got a ticket for killing the bird. graemlins/smack.gif

[Remington]

graemlins/smack.gif :eek: graemlins/smack.gif

[longspurs]

My uncle used to pay me and my cousin a dime per bird. His favorite were cardinals, and bluejays. He said they had more color! graemlins/thumb.gif

[BnTMan]

I use a Black & Tan... :cool:

[rljohnston]

Bow Hunter I left you a PM on Tanning

[rljohnston]

Walker34
chose your words carful,, Against",, Deer dogs, Coon dogs, Fox dogs ,Deer hunters, Bow, Gun, Predator and Trappers were all in the same boat
leg hold traps that are leagle for use on dry land if modfide right, set and run proper will not injuer a dogs foot may be sore for a day or two

[BnTMan]

I would rather one get in a leg-hold than a conibear or snare any day!

[fish]

I have trapped a lot for coons and the best way to catch them is along water. First locate the coons trail along the edge of shallow water. Then use sticks to funnel coons to walk over trap. Use a stick about the size of a pencil,placed either side of trap across coons path. Suspend stick about 4 inches above the ground next to trap so when he steps over his foot hits trap.
Only bait I use is take cooking oil (old oil used to fry fish is fine )add mashed up canned tuna or sardines. Put this in a clean squirt bottle (like dish soap comes in ) One squirt will leave all the scent needed, sight bait is illegal and uneeded.

[Wildman]

I had a pointer get caught in snare a few years ago out at Pullen pond everything was ok it just happened to be right by the truck but the Sorry :censored: didnt have a tag on it and it was right alongside a road hooked to an electric pole I am not sure if the regulation about hunting close to a road applies to trapping or not. It would not have made me mad if the trap had a tag and wasnt basically in the road. My dog getting caught is just part of hunting public land.

[austincrutchfield]

I am run dogs for coons and i use live traps and i catch alot of them. Me and my cosuin trap them for pups and we use dog feed and i think since february we have cauhgt over 5o different coons

[fish]

Find you a old creek that only has water in it when it rains and right before it does set you a #2 coil spring trap out with something that smells like a rotten animal or even use a bird. Also you need to hang a squirrel's tail or a chicken wing above it to get there attention. The first time I tried this I used a squirrel and I caught a very nice size coon. graemlins/thumb.gif You may need to leave it out for a week or a little more. Just don't forget when that squirrel gets to smellin is when the coon's will get it. graemlins/thumb.gif
Better check your regulations on trapping! Look at pages 49&50 ,sight bait composed of animal matter not allowed within 20 feet of trap set. This will catch dogs and birds of prey, not a good practice! :rolleyes: Stick to scents and stick guides in water sets for coons and avoid trouble. :thumb:

[fish]

I had a pointer get caught in snare a few years ago out at Pullen pond everything was ok it just happened to be right by the truck but the Sorry :censored: didnt have a tag on it and it was right alongside a road hooked to an electric pole I am not sure if the regulation about hunting close to a road applies to trapping or not. It would not have made me mad if the trap had a tag and wasnt basically in the road. My dog getting caught is just part of hunting public land.
Read the regulations, snares are not allowed in public road right of ways!

[varmit_master]

i am going to hit the coons hard when trapping seasons comes in. They are eatting way to much corn around the deer feeders. I read in the Fur Fish and Game they said trapping around feeders like that. Back off a ways from them But first take a 5 gallon bucket of corn. And buy a quart of beer and pour it into the corn and let it sat a few days and let the corn soke up the beer and it was great on coons. The guy sat 6 live trapps and baited them and the next mor he had 6 coons around one feeder. I KNOW here you can place the bait in sight or 20 ft of the trapp. But i am going to use it to catch out the coons around here. VM :wink:

[browning_gold_12]

i got the coons if ya'll want to hunt 'em. thinking of opening a coon hunting guide service. wonder what someone would pay for a fully guided, one on one 3 day coon hunt??? does b&c or p&y recognize coons??? i gotta look into this. this could be the cover of my brochure...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b224/browning_gold_12/0562078-R1-056-26A.jpg

SHAT...

[Sylamore]

All you have to do is plant a few tomato plants in your back yard. When the critters come use some dry dog food right next to your tomato patch. Works everytime.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/Sylamore/Im000459.jpg

A definate candidate to be converted into Bar-B-Q. :thumb:

[justin1a2]

i got the coons if ya'll want to hunt 'em. thinking of opening a coon hunting guide service. wonder what someone would pay for a fully guided, one on one 3 day coon hunt??? does b&c or p&y recognize coons??? i gotta look into this. this could be the cover of my brochure...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b224/browning_gold_12/0562078-R1-056-26A.jpg

SHAT...

I got some buddies that would love to know where you live.

[Ty-Bo67]

Trapping coons, im awesome at it. :razz:

[trapperman1985]

I have been trapping for about 6 or 7 yrs. now. I catch a pretty good number of coon every yr. If you want to catch them you have to weed out the oppossums. Kill them all or you will keep catching them. For bait don't bother with the household food. I am not saying it won't work but you are setting yourself up for more possums. Sardines work a LITTLE better. The best is to go straight for fish preferably bright colored bream or catfish heads. try shoving pieces of pipe into the banks and placing trap in front of them barricade bait in back of hole and you will catch more as they will try to get the bait out. Fish oil works great but I would suggest ordering it. There are also many other liquid type baits that you can order. (most are fish oil based or have anuse oil in them) Main thing is stay away from the pantry items. I did the same thing when I started and it really makes all the difference. When you set your traps for coon and begin catching them you will get to where you will start catching mink. Mink are worth more, harder to catch, and bait theives. I can help you with both if you need more advice just let me know. Send a private message, so we don't take up the entire forum. :biggrin:

[trapperman1985]

You are getting some good advice. Be careful about hanging animal parts around your traps. Not only does it attract buzzards but it is now illegal and refered to as sight bait. Check the G & F book. It used to be legal. Sight bait at your own risk.

[Arkansasbowhunter]

best thing for coon bait is tuna cat food. coons will come to it from far away.