Newb questions

[Urban_Hunter]

Last year coons destroyed my feeder… not to mention all the other benefits of getting rid of them… I'm ALL IN on predator control. This pic was taken tonight btw….

I have a 8 DP's, I've used them around the house, feel confident in how to catch them with those.

First question: does anyone still use footholds for coons? I have 5 unused duke 1-1/2's and I've been watching some videos on getting them tuned up and set. I only have the traps, no anchoring system or anything else. Recommendations? I'd like to not leave behind pieces like I see some people call the disposable ones.

Second: coyotes/bobcats. I have 3 duke # 2's. They're unused, but I see the 550's seem to be preferred. Do I not waste my time with the 2's or just add 550's to them? Same question for the anchors.

I read through all the posts in this forum about dying/waxing/painting/etc. Seems the "general" consensus is to not paint, either use FMJ or traditional dye and wax. Any disagreements? The duke traps I have came from an estate sale where I believe they were used as decoration. I'm looking to add to them as needed but mostly looking for direction on tips/tricks and favorite baits and lures… and any other advice. We have 4 feeders, all over 1000 yards from each other, COVERED UP in coons. Looking to hit them hard as soon as season opens up… which apparently KY is straight stone age on

 

[duvhntr]

I've been trapped since moby d ic k was a minnow.. it's fine to paint your traps.. once they have dried and aired out.. your good to go.. Id prefer the 550's over the number 2's.. but the 2's will work just fine.. I remember when the 1.75's came out.. you couldn't ask for a better trap! As far as anchors, I personally never used the cable anchors, you can buy a cross stake attachment that allows you to drive 2 18" rebar stakes in the ground, at angles, that will hold a coyote.. also.. I would advice welding shut any s hooks or j hooks where you have swivels, as a coyote can pull hard enough to open them up and take off with your trap..

 

[Urban_Hunter]

I've been trapped since moby Richard was a minnow.. it's fine to paint your traps.. once they have dried and aired out.. your good to go.. Id prefer the 550's over the number 2's.. but the 2's will work just fine.. I remember when the 1.75's came out.. you couldn't ask for a better trap! As far as anchors, I personally never used the cable anchors, you can buy a cross stake attachment that allows you to drive 2 18" rebar stakes in the ground, at angles, that will hold a coyote.. also.. I would advice welding shut any s hooks or j hooks where you have swivels, as a coyote can pull hard enough to open them up and take off with your trap..

This thing? That seems perfect. Do you then just cut your rebar to length and weld a big washer on top? I do concrete… so I have plenty of rebar. I just notice in most pics the trappers using rebar have a head on them

 

[duvhntr]

That's it, I cut mine18" and drive a 9/16 flat washer about a inch down and weld it..

 

[Planking]

I use the disposable cables and hook a strap to the cable loop and pull it out with an ATV when I'm finished and reuse. They make a puller for about 75$.

I have caught coons in foot traps but I don't set for them. Much easier to put out a dp.

I use to drive a nut on my rebar stakes and then weld it

 

[CATCHDAWG]

DP's are great and that's what I mostly use. However, if you have a lot of raccoons, they will wise up to them pretty quickly when they see their buddies hung up in them. When that starts happening, footholds definitely have their place. I'll catch a buttload of raccoons and then it will start to drastically decrease even though there is still plenty of sign. Change over to footholds and then the catch rate will increase again.

 

[Urban_Hunter]

Thanks guys!

Will report back!

 

[hammer33]

Another tip. Set one spot with all your traps in one night. Try to figure out where they are coming from and set multiple traps along each trail leading to the feeder. Start further out. Next night rebait. Next night move the traps closer to the feeder, working your way in. You want to try and catch as many as you can without educating the rest.
If you set a couple traps near the feeder first, all the rest of the coons see what is going on and figure it out pretty quick. By working your way in from away from the feeder, you can pick a bunch off, then move your traps closer and keep catching.

Man thats a lot of coons at that one spot.