Trapping Badgers

[SDS-GEN]

I plan to run a line this winter.  I haven't trapped since I was a kid (about 25 years ago).  The farms around here are overrun with coon and catching a bunch shouldn't be a problem.  However I also have seen a badger and would like some advice on how to set up for it.

[lynx/cat-trapper]

Badger will come to most coyote/fox sets..HOWEVER you may end up with a bomb zone as a result. I oftentimes trap FOR the badger during season if I know one is there...JUST to avoid this happening. VERY SIMPLE.. kick in ALL the old dig holes..next day there be some fresh ones..of these you can usually narrow it down to 1 or 2 that the badger may be in.. either a LOT of dirt and deep hole or a "back filled" hole. I  long chain the trap and stake it away from the hole giving JUST enough chain to get the trap down the hole opening. The badger will step in the trap..go around and around a couple times and BACK DOWN the hole to safety. Easy to catch and there does NOT have to be an issue with the badgers distructive digging.
lynx

[coyotero]

I specifically target Badgers in Dec.,Jan. and Feb.I only set fresh workings.I set a 220 conibear in the hole,cover it with cardboard and shovel some snow on top.I had some $80.00 badgers last year.

[RdFx]

Well all the badgers i get have to release or turn in to DNR.  STate animal also, but   the  animal is around enough could be taken for fur. Its a thing where being used as a  University mascot and emblem plus state animal , dont think  the bunny hugger football fans would go for (Bucky Badger) being pelted out...LOL...   Around here they arent prime to Dec and then most are under ground snoozen!   A prime badger is a site to see with its long silver gard hair  floating in the breeze.   Thats what i remember on the last one i release one fine sunny December morning from yote trap.   Ol mister badger just snorted and huffed and waddled away without even saying thanks!!!!!!!!   <a href="//" target="_blank" class="new_win">//</a>

[Asa Lenon]

Back many years ago when there were no numbers of badgers here in Upper Michigan I come up to a coyote set and there was a big hole dug into the ground with  the 6" trap chain attached to a grapple going down the hole. Coon will do this now and then so being I had never seen or caught a badger I just reached down, untangled the grapple hook and jerked on the chain expecting to pull out a coon. Now let me tell 'ya one angry badger flew out of that hole 50 miles an hour with teeth and claws going a mile a minute. Just barely got out of the way in time before getting ate/slashed alive by that angry badger. I think he was trying to tell me he didn't appreciate being jerked on,  lol. Ace

[SDS-GEN]

I live in Illinois.  Two badger limit/year.  You can't place a trap within 10 feet of a burrow or den.  Any ideas on lures or scents to attract them?

[RdFx]

Just about any canine scent-gland lure will work on badgers.  Stop and think of all the badgers that are caught in canine and cat sets.... Find badger sign and set as if for canines  ect.  Good Luck...

[Asa Lenon]

I'm sure a dirthole set lured with a skunky smelling canine lure will stop every passing badger. Ace

[trappnman]

If you have badgers doing more than wandering through, you are going to have an abundance of prey. Here its pocket gophers, elsewhere prairie dogs or ground squirrels.

While I catch a lot in canine sets, summer ADC work I either set the borrow as lynx suggested- or use a pile of fresh natural bait in a big dirthole. You can really force badgers- make the guides out of dirt- give him only one way across the trap-  mound up dirt and make a trough.

Don't worry about badgers digging up the stakes- I've never had it happen yet- double stake or earth anchor, and they dig all around the stakes in a donut shape- I'm on 24 hr check- on long extended checks, this could be a concern.

I take most of my incidental badgers in coyote sets with real skunky lures.