2024/2025 Trapping thread

[Nine Banger]

We have about 2 more weeks in foot hold season here but it’s been slow (dead). Perhaps we finally are “out” of opossums.

I had an epic committed steal on a trap that hasn’t had any activity since I started in December.



It reminds me not to be complacent. The dirt hole was clearly mismanaged (blue) and I adjusted it (yellow). I’ve seen fresh scat in this area too.

I caught our neighbors dog last night too. Awkward.

 

[go_deep]

We have about 2 more weeks in foot hold season here but it’s been slow (dead). Perhaps we finally are “out” of opossums.

I had an epic committed steal on a trap that hasn’t had any activity since I started in December.

View attachment 838795

It reminds me not to be complacent. The dirt hole was clearly mismanaged (blue) and I adjusted it (yellow). I’ve seen fresh scat in this area too.

I caught our neighbors dog last night too. Awkward.

Did you just let the neighbors dog go, it did you return him personally?
I have a friend who doesn't really have anyone that lives real close to him, he returns dog with collars once personally and tells the owner the next time you'll be bailing them out of the pound, keep your dog on your property.
I think he's only had to do this twice, and take a dog to the pound once, seems like it works.

 

[Nine Banger]

Did you just let the neighbors dog go, it did you return him personally?
I have a friend who doesn't really have anyone that lives real close to him, he returns dog with collars once personally and tells the owner the next time you'll be bailing them out of the pound, keep your dog on your property.
I think he's only had to do this twice, and take a dog to the pound once, seems like it works.

I caught one notorious roamer about 15 years ago. The owner was so committed to her habits that she had live gps tracking. She trespassed and watched a YouTube video on the spot to learn how to open a foot hold trap.

This time it was admittedly close to the line but it didn’t occur to me to mitigate any risks I just thought “that’s a really good spot to catch a coyote.” I pulled 3 traps this morning out of respect and to keep my promise from last night. Dog is fine just swollen.

 

[Wheels]

Got another coyote last night, dirt holes have been slow but the DP’s have been pretty active until it got down to 8* last night.

 

[Nine Banger]

Night 57.

I had a hunch mammals would move last night but I wasn’t expecting a half a dozen box traps to keep up with a minefield of dog proof traps.

 

[Wheels]

Night 57.

I had a hunch mammals would move last night but I wasn’t expecting a half a dozen box traps to keep up with a minefield of dog proof traps.

View attachment 839404
View attachment 839405

What brand of cage traps are you using?

 

[Nine Banger]

What brand of cage traps are you using?

Most of mine are havaharts and knock offs.

I work at a resort community with a lot of turnover and they end up on the side of the road.

Those 2 black ones in my photos are tomahawks. They were expensive and sturdy but the latches are a pain in the azz.

 

[Wheels]

Most of mine are havaharts and knock offs.

I work at a resort community with a lot of turnover and they end up on the side of the road.

Those 2 black ones in my photos are tomahawks. They were expensive and sturdy but the latches are a pain in the azz.

Thanks, I’m planning on picking up a few cage traps for bobcats but the good ones are expensive.

 

[Nine Banger]

Thanks, I’m planning on picking up a few cage traps for bobcats but the good ones are expensive.

The tomahawk latch on their folding door traps is weird because you have to hold the door layers up and reach under them and push the door latch in place and its hard to see because its under all those layers of screening and they are all the same color. Look at it funny and you have to start over. It's enough of a PITA I'd skip it and get something else or a guillotine door.

The black traps in my photos are 608SS - 10x12 Pro Raccoon Trap with One Trap Door and Rear Access Door

 

[Nine Banger]

Thanks, I’m planning on picking up a few cage traps for bobcats but the good ones are expensive.

Did you look at these?

Traps :: Comstock Series Traps :: Comstock Series Specialty Traps :: Comstock Series Bobcat Traps :: Single Door 3 Pack - Small, Medium and Large Comstock Single Door Bobcat Traps with One Bi-Fold Trap Door

Save by purchasing this three pack of Comstock Series Single door bobcat traps compared to individually They features a wire trigger mechanism and fast closing spring powered internal doors Unlike other bobcat traps with external guillotine doors that extend well above the frame these traps

www.livetrap.com

Traps :: Comstock Series Traps :: Comstock Series Specialty Traps :: Comstock Series Bobcat Traps :: Large Single Door Bobcat Trap

Model CB1224SD is our largest sized Comstock Series single door bobcat trap at 38 x 12 x 24 It features a wire trigger mechanism and fast closing spring powered internal doors Unlike other bobcat traps with external guillotine doors that extend well above the frame these traps have zero clearance

www.livetrap.com

I found these in my trapping file. I was going to order some and lost interest. If it went in my file I assume I researched all the options. I looked at guillotine door traps too.

I ended up catching and releasing one cat this year in a Bridger dogless trap. That was my first cat and I was surprised because I've never caught one and figured they weren't into dirt hole sets.

 

[Nine Banger]

Night 58





Here’s critique photos on tomahawk latch issues:
- have to stick finger thru grill to lift drop latch
- have to reach under entire apparatus to set trigger latch and pull arm out with hitting door assembly

 

[Nine Banger]

I had a flipped trap too.

 

[bpietila]

One marten today. Trailed a wolverine for a short ways. First set of wolverine track this year.

 

[Nine Banger]

I started pulling traps in my harder to get to areas and non active areas.

I saw a female coyote day walking between 2 sets.

I’m going to set new traps in that area I saw coyote and will focus my night calling there.

I’m thinking my current sets are known to them or stale or the soil is trashed currently.

I think my traps are muddy and rusting and known by animals this time.

 

[White Falcon]

Night 58

View attachment 839837



Here’s critique photos on tomahawk latch issues:
- have to stick finger thru grill to lift drop latch
- have to reach under entire apparatus to set trigger latch and pull arm out with hitting door assembly

View attachment 839838View attachment 839839

I put a length of rebar through the trap, side to side under door to hold it up to let critterout.

 

[Wheels]

It’s been tough trapping here in Missouri this year, abnormally cold with a few warm days mixed in. Freezing/thawing, seems to rain every time it warms up then quickly cold again. Hard to keep traps from freezing even with waxed dirt. Snowing now and supposed to thru Wednesday. Caught a rabbit in a dirt hole set last night, he’s bait now.

 

[Nine Banger]

I pulled and waxed some foot holds and set up some fresh and gaudy hail Mary style sets around where I saw the day walking coyote this morning.

I put Canine Force on the simulated rib cage, Gusto on the scapula and skunk lure on the single rib.







I was complacently on track to run out of commercial bait soon and now I'm going to get some home rolled style going to finish the season.

Seeing that coyote really got me fired up with renewed energy.

 

[go_deep]

I pulled all my traps about 2 weeks ago, I couldn't take it anymore, put 2 mink traps out today for the cold snap this week.

 

[Nine Banger]

I pulled all my traps about 2 weeks ago, I couldn't take it anymore, put 2 mink traps out today for the cold snap this week.

Our foot holds have to be out by 3/1 but the invasive warm season grasses are kicking in and the soil is soup so I was ready to move on but all I can think about is that coyote!

 

[go_deep]

Our foot holds have to be out by 3/1 but the invasive warm season grasses are kicking in and the soil is soup so I was ready to move on but all I can think about is that coyote!

March 1 most of our season ends too. I have commitments the next 2 weeks is why I pulled all my traps a little early, and the weather got crazy warm, but I just can't take it. I guess I might be addicted.... Hoping I draw some limited quota beaver permits next year, that'll help extend my trapping season.

Good luck @Nine Banger , I hope you get that coyote!!