Caught one last night. He was huge! Was annoying us setting our cameras off for the last 2 weeks. Caught him in a trap similar to this. Peanut butter on aluminum foil. Worked perfectly!
I like the idea with the wire basket on top in the back of the cage, scent can travel in all directions with the wind and he has to commit to enter. I like using live out in the woods here in the U.P of Michigan. The reason being because of predators, wolf, coyote, getting a free meal. Thanks alot for the tip!!
From the outside, (sides and top) the wire is 1/2" by 1/2" so a raccoon cannot reach through. With a trap that has 1" by 1" wire mesh, as you suspect, raccoons can reach in and grab the bait. From the entrance, the reach is too long for them to grab it well. So they go inside.
I like the idea of the basket suspended in back of the trap to foil the bait stealers. But how do you get the bait into it when it is that far back? Are you able to reach that far?
It attaches with wire hanging from the top of trap. It can be reached but rebaiting is accomplished by 1) disattaching the wire bait trap by untwisting wire from outside the trap 2) taking it out(the bait cage is just loose in the trap now) to rebait 3) reaching the re-baited bait cage into the trap and positioning the wire attachment points poking out of top of cage 4) grabbing and then twisting wire that is attached to bait cage from the outside.
What is the best/safest way to open the door without getting your hands too close to the raccoon which is hissing, clawing and biting at you? I have the exact non roof version of yours. Maybe a quick video on that? Thanks Chuck
Good question and good idea for video. Until then, search the term "trap divider". The metal bars keep the trap away from where you're working. This video shows a trap divider being used to transfer a raccoon. The door could be zip tied or clamped open before the divider is removed. ruclips.net/video/aPk3qeqSpi4/видео.html
We use a lot of Comstock raccoon traps. We also use Safeguard and Tomahawk brands. Extra wire of 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch in strategic places is helpful and hints at a good trap.
Carefully...the mechanism can be released while the door keeps the animal away from your hands. Once the door is up, animals usually don't bolt or attack. But, Ryan always wears heavy leather gloves that go up his arms. They are referred to as "bite gloves".
I caught a full grown racoon in trap 10 pm. I left it 'til morning when I was going to relocate it. Next morning, it was GONE! Escaped from trap! How did racoon do that?
Maybe someone saw it and let it out... If not, it is probably a trap issue. Some traps available at big box stores can be overpowered by raccoons if given enough time. They find something that moves slightly, pry and wiggle their way through. If the trap wasn't damaged or turned over, our bet is someone let it out.
I caught a cat (wasn't my target animal) and when I was walking over to release it he/she slammed into the door and got out. Looking at the trap I found that the locking rings on the door didn't go all the way down due to the grass. I fixed that problem by placing a halved PVC pipe under the door end to allow the locking rings to bottom out. Problem solved, working on my 10th coon now. No escapes after that simple fix. I like his idea of a board secured under the trap, as coons do tear up the grass under and around the trap (really bad).
I use zip ties to secure the trap door. I have the zip tie positioned so that it is loosened enough to open the trap door, but when the door closes the zip tie is tight enough to secure the door.
Caught a baby raccoon today using marshmellows. Took three times to trap the little critter--my niece didn't set the cage trap right the first 2 times--but we got'em the 3rd time. Had animal control to come get him and he will be dispensed at some nature center here in Georgia.
Caught one last night. He was huge! Was annoying us setting our cameras off for the last 2 weeks. Caught him in a trap similar to this. Peanut butter on aluminum foil. Worked perfectly!
You're good man. Real good. Trapping Jedi. Thanks. Just made my life easier...
I like the idea with the wire basket on top in the back of the cage, scent can travel in all directions with the wind and he has to commit to enter. I like using live out in the woods here in the U.P of Michigan. The reason being because of predators, wolf, coyote, getting a free meal. Thanks alot for the tip!!
What keeps them from eating the bait you have zip tied to the top, from the outside of the trap, basically not going in the trap
From the outside, (sides and top) the wire is 1/2" by 1/2" so a raccoon cannot reach through. With a trap that has 1" by 1" wire mesh, as you suspect, raccoons can reach in and grab the bait.
From the entrance, the reach is too long for them to grab it well. So they go inside.
Good tips.... thanks
I like the idea of the basket suspended in back of the trap to foil the bait stealers. But how do you get the bait into it when it is that far back? Are you able to reach that far?
It attaches with wire hanging from the top of trap.
It can be reached but rebaiting is accomplished by 1) disattaching the wire bait trap by untwisting wire from outside the trap 2) taking it out(the bait cage is just loose in the trap now) to rebait 3) reaching the re-baited bait cage into the trap and positioning the wire attachment points poking out of top of cage 4) grabbing and then twisting wire that is attached to bait cage from the outside.
Thanks. My new Tomahawk trap with a rear door arrived this week - eliminates the problem of having to reach way inside.
What is the best/safest way to open the door without getting your hands too close to the raccoon which is hissing, clawing and biting at you? I have the exact non roof version of yours. Maybe a quick video on that? Thanks Chuck
Good question and good idea for video.
Until then, search the term "trap divider". The metal bars keep the trap away from where you're working.
This video shows a trap divider being used to transfer a raccoon. The door could be zip tied or clamped open before the divider is removed.
ruclips.net/video/aPk3qeqSpi4/видео.html
Great ideas. Do you prefer one brand of trap vs. any other brand ?
We use a lot of Comstock raccoon traps. We also use Safeguard and Tomahawk brands. Extra wire of 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch in strategic places is helpful and hints at a good trap.
Alan, sorry we missed the comment. We usually use Tomahawk, Safeguard, and Comstock brands.
What bait do you recommend? We're trying to avoid catching neighborhood cats instead of the raccoons that are currently after our chickens.
Give marshmallows a try. Cats should pass that up, but raccoons won't.
Butterfinger bar. Works every time, cats utterly disinterested.
Yeah, but how do you let the thing out without getting bitten?
Carefully...the mechanism can be released while the door keeps the animal away from your hands.
Once the door is up, animals usually don't bolt or attack. But, Ryan always wears heavy leather gloves that go up his arms. They are referred to as "bite gloves".
If you are euthanizing in the cage with a firearm, be extremely careful and make sure it is legal.
I call animal control and they come pick the animal up.
Why would you let it go, to terrorize someone else?
I caught a full grown racoon in trap 10 pm. I left it 'til morning when I was going to relocate it. Next morning, it was GONE! Escaped from trap! How did racoon do that?
Maybe someone saw it and let it out...
If not, it is probably a trap issue. Some traps available at big box stores can be overpowered by raccoons if given enough time. They find something that moves slightly, pry and wiggle their way through.
If the trap wasn't damaged or turned over, our bet is someone let it out.
I caught a cat (wasn't my target animal) and when I was walking over to release it he/she slammed into the door and got out. Looking at the trap I found that the locking rings on the door didn't go all the way down due to the grass. I fixed that problem by placing a halved PVC pipe under the door end to allow the locking rings to bottom out. Problem solved, working on my 10th coon now. No escapes after that simple fix. I like his idea of a board secured under the trap, as coons do tear up the grass under and around the trap (really bad).
I use zip ties to secure the trap door. I have the zip tie positioned so that it is loosened enough to open the trap door, but when the door closes the zip tie is tight enough to secure the door.
could roughly say the size of the mesh, the size of the mesh eye
okay
Thank you
You're welcome
Anchor the trap so it can not be flipped, leaving the door unlatched.
Thanks
Welcome
Thanks for the info. We just got a racoon in our attic and haven't caught him yet. But today hope we will.
Good luck!
Caught a baby raccoon today using marshmellows. Took three times to trap the little critter--my niece didn't set the cage trap right the first 2 times--but we got'em the 3rd time. Had animal control to come get him and he will be dispensed at some nature center here in Georgia.
Marshmallows are a good, sweet bait for sure
Are you in the business of catching them? I have one in my attic and I have no wildlife experience or interest.