The dog free traps do not randomly grab anything that comes by, and requires an animal to place part of it's body into a small pipe type apparatus. I have caught coons and occasionally a possum in one. One time I even caught a large domestic tom cat in one, but that's very rare. Getting that cat out without shooting it was a challenge, but I got it done. He was sure in a bad mood !
Those of you who trap animals, how do you do it and what do you trap?
- Thread starter FindANewSlant
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buck460XVR
New member
Again...check your local and state regs. Leg hold traps were not banned because they were catching dogs. They were banned because holding an animal alive by the leg is considered inhumane. Conibears will catch and kill dogs just as well as they kill 'yotes and coon.
"Dog proof" traps require the critter to reach 1-1.5" into a confined space approx 1.25-1.5" diameter to release the trigger. Most dogs can't do that. We used only "sweet"(marshmallows/molasses) bait around places where pets frequent as that is less likely to attract cats than using fish oil and cat food.
Leg hold traps are legal in my state but Connibears over #2 must be set under water and snares(cable restraints)must have a choke stop and deer release.
Leg hold traps are legal in my state but Connibears over #2 must be set under water and snares(cable restraints)must have a choke stop and deer release.
buck460XVR
New member
While they are considered "Dog-Proof", they are still considered a "leg-hold" trap in many states. The bigger benefit of those types of traps for coons is not just the prevention of catching a dog, but they also tend to prevent a coon from chewing off it's foot.
buck460XVR
New member
Used to be a market for both hides, not worth much, but something. Most possums I let lay or used for bait. I never had the desire to skin a skunk(even tho they used to be worth $10), but they always made for a good fox set, similar to a manure set.
Whenever I nuisance trapped near buildings, I used live traps. Anytime I caught a cat out in the woods, a long ways from human habitation, I considered it feral and it was dealt with accordingly.
buck460XVR
New member
Isn't that the whole premise behind the banning of leg hold traps? Regardless of what has been inferred here, it's not really about the accidental catching of dogs.
Traps can be divided into three general categories: 1) those that hold the animal by the foot or leg (foothold): 2) those that hold the animal by the body and are usually intended to kill the animal (body-gripping or conibear type); 3) those that enclose the animal (box or cage type). This is why even "Dog Proof" traps are considered "leg hold".
The premise of ethics and what is or is not humane has been the argument against trapping and the wearing of fur for decades. Anyone that had trapped knows that trapping is not a pretty business or hobby, especially to those with a soft spot in their heart for wild animals. While most folks don't get queasy when viewing a skunk or possum in a leg hold trap, a cute red or grey fox in distress, with a bloody foot or two caught in a trap chained to a stake, makes them turn their head. Even when I trapped and was excited to catch a fox, I did not enjoy the sight, and always tried to put the animal down as quickly as possible. I doubt very much if there is a difference in the type and amount of pain that Fido experiences when caught in a 'yote set, as a 'yote feels.
Guess we'll have to agree to differ.
I don't feel it's moral or ethical to allow nest predators to exterminate any/all ground or marsh nesting birds and have no qualms about removing varmints any way possible.
I live in the real world and wild critters that infringe on my part of that world get whacked.
I don't feel it's moral or ethical to allow nest predators to exterminate any/all ground or marsh nesting birds and have no qualms about removing varmints any way possible.
I live in the real world and wild critters that infringe on my part of that world get whacked.
FindANewSlant,
If you're really considering trapping fur bearers, read buck460's post #6 again and again. It pretty much sums up a real trapper's credo. Right on, buck460, indeed. BTW, FANS, do you know anyone who is a serious, accomplished trapper? If you do, and if you can, go with that person on his/her trapline to get first hand knowledge on what it's all about. And really, try to go with that person on the coldest, crappiest day imaginable.
The knowledge from going with a person with good trapping skills as such, will help you with your own decision to do the deal right. And that regards the best possible way to treat the animal in the trap from set to buyer. Daily, is the watchword if you want to be a real trapper.
If you're really considering trapping fur bearers, read buck460's post #6 again and again. It pretty much sums up a real trapper's credo. Right on, buck460, indeed. BTW, FANS, do you know anyone who is a serious, accomplished trapper? If you do, and if you can, go with that person on his/her trapline to get first hand knowledge on what it's all about. And really, try to go with that person on the coldest, crappiest day imaginable.
The knowledge from going with a person with good trapping skills as such, will help you with your own decision to do the deal right. And that regards the best possible way to treat the animal in the trap from set to buyer. Daily, is the watchword if you want to be a real trapper.
buck460XVR
New member
Predators only do what God intended them to do. Unlike Humans they don't kill because of emotions or jealousy. They don't have any morals or ethics. There's a reason the word "Humane" has the word "human" in it. The real world does not dictate that folks living in the continental U.S. "whack" every wild animal that intrudes upon their self imposed space. .
That said, predators and nuisance animals, like prey and game animals, need to have their populations controlled here in the lower 48. For our sake and theirs. While I understand those folks that believe leg hold traps are inhumane, I also understand that sometimes what we have to work with to control animal populations are not always pretty. Still, most of us do it in the quickest and most humane way possible to us. Folks will always argue the line between what is and what is not humane when it comes to controlling predators and nuisance animals. Just like the arguments as to how to put our own pets out of their misery when the time comes.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Back to the where/how/what, please. Enough on the morals.
OK, back on track.
I'll reiterate that "learning" to trap the smaller (dumber) critters is easier, cheaper, and is more likely to give some positive results vs "starting at the top" with predators(coyote and bobcat).
There's a lot more to learn than simply how to set a trap. Far more important is WHERE to set a trap cause if you don't set it where a critter is passing regularly, you're not going to catch much.
I'll reiterate that "learning" to trap the smaller (dumber) critters is easier, cheaper, and is more likely to give some positive results vs "starting at the top" with predators(coyote and bobcat).
There's a lot more to learn than simply how to set a trap. Far more important is WHERE to set a trap cause if you don't set it where a critter is passing regularly, you're not going to catch much.