Who traps?

[Boll Weevil]

I run 10 or so Duke 220 and 330 kill traps all winter to remove a few egg bandits. I was just curious more than anything but in the interest of removing nest predators do any of you trap?

 

[Andy S.]

I don't, but I am pretty sure Rockhound does, or at least has in the past. Hopefully he will chime in.

 

[PalsPal]

I don't but am interested.

Care to give some tips on which trap is better and where and how you bait?

Thanks!

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

Yep we run dog proof coon traps, but that's about it. We consistently catch coons, skunks, and possums. I have noticed that the more small nest raiders we take out, the fewer and fewer coyotes and bobcats we see.

That said a few years ago distemper ran through the coyotes here and decimated the population, my buddy killed one the other day in his yard that was sick. The game warden's said it also looked like distemper so maybe they are still getting worked over good

 

[Boll Weevil]

Care to give some tips on which trap is better and where and how you bait?

- Focus on your very best best nesting habitat 1st and don't waste effort in places hens just aren't as likely to lay. The priority goal is to lower the number of egg robbers in those areas immediately prior to the nesting season and trying to trap every single nest predator on a given property would be a daunting task.
- Once you identify your trap zones consider which predators are being targeted in each area. In some spots I kill way more skunks than possums...other areas more armadillos than coons. This will help choosing the right trap, bait, and set placement.
- Make note of active den holes as these can really be target rich and high probability sets. Once you remove the initial resident others are often drawn to the now unoccupied hole. For coons or possums, if you know of den trees place sets in those areas.
- I only use Duke 220 or 330 kill traps as I want the bandits dead, gone, and not making any babies. Fencerows, narrow ditches, blocking den holes, along old dead logs where they root for grubs, or near abandoned structures are absolutely deadly. Anywhere that restricts/chokes down the critters movements is good and in many cases no bait is even needed.
- Old pieces of fruit or rinds, a chicken bone, empty tuna can with a few little pieces in there...any of those work well for both scent and eye appeal for coons and possums. Skunks will hit those too but I like jumbo marshmallows with a little dab of peanut butter; that big white peanut buttery StayPuff is irresistible. Stick the 'mallows right on the triggers about 2/3rds of the way up...BAM!
- If you're after armadillos use a 330 as it'll absolutely crush that shell like a peanut hull. Make sure all your traps are secured well and BE SUPER CAREFUL with those triggers and safeties. Kill traps will ruin your day if you get careless.
- Use caution or consider a different trap type in areas adjacent to pets or kids. My farm is in the boondocks so that's not an issue for me but I'd hate to have an unintended catch.

Good luck!

 

[Tn Joe]

Started running a few dog proofs on my place a month or so ago. I've been using marshmallows and cat food mixed with a little fish oil for bait. Caught 6 coons and 3 possums so far, maybe the birds will benefit from it.

 

[dh84]

I did in the 70s and 80s. I loved it. Is TN fur worth anything these days?

 

[Boll Weevil]

Is TN fur worth anything these days?

No. Maybe bobcats and top quality yote hides but otherwise pretty much worthless when compared to trap and time costs...break even at best. Not a moneymaker but certainly a turkeymaker

My only goal is to maybe get another nest or 3 hatched out. If I meet that expectation year over year I'm satisfied...it's the difference between doing something for the birds and nothing.

 

[prstide]

Yes I have been running DP's on my farm about 3 weeks to put a dent in the nest raider population. 7 coons and 7 possums. I'm actually glad you asked this question because I too wanted just to kind of see what number of nest predators people usually get per their trapping area? Are my 7 coons and 7 possums a decent number for a little over 40 acres since I first set them on January 31st or do I need to be far beyond that to really improve nesting success?

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

Yes I have been running DP's on my farm about 3 weeks to put a dent in the nest raider population. 7 coons and 7 possums. I'm actually glad you asked this question because I too wanted just to kind of see what number of nest predators people usually get per their trapping area? Are my 7 coons and 7 possums a decent number for a little over 40 acres since I first set them on January 31st or do I need to be far beyond that to really improve nesting success?

That's a real improvement in my opinion, it doesn't take 14 nest raiders very long at all to work over 40 acres.

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

Care to give some tips on which trap is better and where and how you bait?

- Focus on your very best best nesting habitat 1st and don't waste effort in places hens just aren't as likely to lay. The priority goal is to lower the number of egg robbers in those areas immediately prior to the nesting season and trying to trap every single nest predator on a given property would be a daunting task.

Boll Weevil gives awesome advice and he is years ahead of me in his management, but I tend to disagree with this.

During nesting times, the absolute best place to trap is nesting areas, but In my opinion, this time of year before nesting it's better to get at the heart of the problem.

Most of our coons, skunks, possums ect. In my area revolve around 1 thing which is shoal creek. I think it's better this time of year to get in those creek bottoms and thickets and wear the critters out. They always circle back to that one particular piece of the puzzle, and I have seen it make a big difference running traps for 3 months where ALL the nest raiders make a point to come through out a weeks time, rather than a place where they may come once or twice during nesting season. Your mileage may vary.

 

[prstide]

Yes I have been running DP's on my farm about 3 weeks to put a dent in the nest raider population. 7 coons and 7 possums. I'm actually glad you asked this question because I too wanted just to kind of see what number of nest predators people usually get per their trapping area? Are my 7 coons and 7 possums a decent number for a little over 40 acres since I first set them on January 31st or do I need to be far beyond that to really improve nesting success?

That's a real improvement in my opinion, it doesn't take 14 nest raiders very long at all to work over 40 acres.

Thanks! Hoping I can get a few more out of there before the end of the month.

 

[Boll Weevil]

Rockhound is exactly right about creeks...they're excellent places to trap. My problem is creeks and canals everywhere so I'll focus on a creek that flows through thick planted pines (where hens nest) vs a canal that separates 30 acres of tillable ground for example. But you make a good point for sure.

Never though about it until Rockhound posted but it'd be interesting to know just how big a coon or possum home range is?

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

Rockhound is exactly right about creeks...they're excellent places to trap. My problem is creeks and canals everywhere so I'll focus on a creek that flows through thick planted pines (where hens nest) vs a canal that separates 30 acres of tillable ground for example. But you make a good point for sure.

Never though about it until Rockhound posted but it'd be interesting to know just how big a coon or possum home range is?

Yep I understand that, about the home range I'd say a square mile would be very reasonable