Advanced live-trapping techniques?

LeviSS

New member
I've been trying to get rid of some problem coons and feral cats. I've caught a few at first, but lately haven't had any luck.

I have been putting my trail camera on the trap so I can see what's going on. I have been getting pics of coons or cats every night for the last week, but nothing will really get in the trap. They may start in at first with the "teaser bait" trying to lead them in, but then they won't commit to go on in to the main bait.

I was using cat food, then switched to tuna to see if that would help, but it hasn't seemed to matter much. They aren't reaching through the side or getting the bait, they'll just eat the "teaser bait" and leave.

I live in town, so I'm limited to live trapping them in a Havahart trap.

Any tips to get them in to it?
 
you have educated the ones left. its time to pull the trap for a few days and prebait an area. get them used to a free meal and then put the trap back out in the same place as the prebait.

one thing to try is, to build a cubby out of brush and bait it to get them used to goin in an getting free food, then after a couple of days, put the trap in the cubby and you should start catchin them again. good luck.
 
cover the floor of the trap with grass, etc. so they dont "feel" the metal floor. put the bait on front of the trip for a few days. gets them used to being safe in the trap.
 
What type of a trap are you using? How tall and wide is it? While a narrow cage will not inhibit a cat to enter, one that is not tall enough will create undue effort to enter the cage and retrieve the bait. 16" tall cage is the minimum I would use. Rather than lure the can inside with a food-based lure you should try a gland based lure. The cat has the urge to enter and nuzzle or roll on the lure at the back of the cage. Oftentimes this is much more of a drive than food. If you use this approach I would do as mentioned and create a cubbyhole in a bush or the low branches of a tree so the cat can not satisfy its urges by smelling the lure from the side or back of the cage. You need to create one way in for it to get at the bait.
 
This is the trap:

Havahart 1079

• Dimensions: 32”L x 10”W x 12"H

What kind of gland based bait should I try?

It's been raining so much, I haven't put out a food dish yet, but I tihnk I will tonight and remove the cage for a couple days.
 
If you have some good brand dog food, peanut butter, and some cracked corn and a food dish that's all you will need, and also at the end of the live trap where the bait is placed, I wrap a empty dog food sack/ corn sack so your bait doesn't get ruin by the weather. I've caught dozens and dozens of coons plus some grinner's and farm cats and I use about the same kinda of live trap you do.

PrettyGirlintrap.jpg


Opossum11-8.jpg
 


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