My wife was startled by a masked bandit

[ray1970]

Came up with a simple secondary trigger for the trap. The bait will be suspended from the top of the cage and when the bait is moved it will trip the trap so if they manage to avoid the little floor plate trigger when going for the bait then grabbing the bait should trap them.

[asystejs]

We got one in the trap that managed to roll the trap twice trying to get out.
We had another that would roll the trap across the yard trying to get the bait out.
I set the trap on concrete blocks and used a ratchet strap to secure it to one of the blocks, that stopped the trap rolling.
The blocks got the trap off the ground so they would not try digging out.
The ratchet strap made it easy to release the trap to empty and clean it.

[ray1970]

Thanks for the tips. I was thinking of putting some pavers on top of it or maybe anchoring it down with tent stakes or something.

[ray1970]

Still haven?t managed to trap one of the raccoons yet. I did manage to trap (and release) a cat the other night. Almost felt bad for him because apparently the trap was set up where the sprinklers were hitting it and the cat was soaking wet and meowing constantly.

Probably wait until the weekend to try again so I don?t have to deal with trapped critters in the early morning when I?m trying to get to work.

[Irving]

You need to set the trap up in a corridor of sorts that funnels them into the trap. For example, if you have a bush next to a fence, when they access the yard, they'll skirt the fence and go behind the bush to try and maintain cover. A trap just sitting out with bait, might, work, but you'll have a better chance if you can anticipate where they are coming/ going and set up the trap there.

When I trapped raccoons out was exactly the Bush next to fence scenario, and I added some sticks and yard debris to more directly funnel them through. I used a snare with no bait and still got them.

[buffalobo]

You need to set the trap up in a corridor of sorts that funnels them into the trap. For example, if you have a bush next to a fence, when they access the yard, they'll skirt the fence and go behind the bush to try and maintain cover. A trap just sitting out with bait, might, work, but you'll have a better chance if you can anticipate where they are coming/ going and set up the trap there.

When I trapped raccoons out was exactly the Bush next to fence scenario, and I added some sticks and yard debris to more directly funnel them through. I used a snare with no bait and still got them.

^^this.

[ray1970]

Laid off the trapping during the week but set it last night and caught one.



There is a surprising amount of damage to the cage, especially the handle on top and definitely more blood than I would expect to see on what appears to be a humane trap.

I?m actually without a truck this morning and probably shouldn?t have set the trap last night because now I don?t have a good way to haul it off right now.

Debating on finding a way to put him down. Its either that or see how he fairs in the cage all day and haul him off this evening when I get my truck back.

[Irving]

Haul him where? Just put him down. Do you have a plastic tub big enough to put that cage in? Water or exhaust.

[ray1970]

I probably have a plastic drum big enough for the trap. Drowning it could be an option but I?d still have to dispose of the body.

My original plan was to take it for a ride to some place where discharging a firearm isn?t frowned upon and put it down.

My son has my truck because I have some work to do on his vehicle today.

[Irving]

CCI quiet with barrel pressed to head isn't bad, especially if the barrel is at least 20".