Got my first!!

[sdb777]

Been trying to figure this whole trapping thing out.  I tell you, it ain't easy to figure it out without being able to 'see' how things are done...no experts around here!  But I did it anyway....if I didn't try it, the raccoons would eat me out of the deer feeding.

Set 14 1.5's in and around the creek that is near my feeder.  Set another 6 1.5's around the outskirts of my feeder.  These sets were done yesterday morning, and I went to my 'backup' deer stand for the afternoon.  This morning I ran my sets, and WOW!  Not just my first trapped raccoon, but my first 13 of them.  A phone call to James(guy that wants the pelts) after collecting the bait thieves.

Bait used: Nothing fancy-just mini marsh mellows and some corn scattered around

I knew that there were a lot of raccoons, but I never thought I could actually get them.  My deer herd will appreciate my efforts!  Traps were left in place, but not set....I'll re-set them this coming Friday, so I can check them Saturday and Sunday.



Scott (get out there and try) B

[hillbill]

good grief, coons must travel in herds where yu are, better take a wheel barrow to pack them all out next time. happy trappin!

[Trapper-Jack]

At the current raccoon prices, that's about $300.00 or more depending on the hides.  Nice haul!!!  Better watch out-trapping gets addictive.

[Bogmaster]

 Trapper Jack, while coon prices are on the rise.No way are those small southern coon going to average 25.00 each.Especially on the hoof.
 Tom
 

[sdb777]

I wasn't really concerned with the price that these 'bait thieves'.  The only real reason I'm doing this is to get more feed to the deer.  And as far as small....what's the average size of your northern raccoon?
Three of these raccoons were in the 30# range, two of them looked to be just first year thieves(about 10#), and the rest were between 15-20#.  After all, they have been eating corn for 4 months!

Yesterday, I didn't have a great haul....just one. ....looks like a coyote got ahold of the little guy?   Looks like it's time to get some larger traps....maybe get some coyotes.   What size would work best for coyotes?  What bait works best?



Scott (crap, I'm a trapper now) B

[Trapper-Jack]

I catch a lot of coyotes in Bridger #3 coil springs with offset jaws, but I have caught and held coyotes in #1.65's with laminated jaws set for fox.  I was looking at some 1.65's and 1.50's in Sportsman's the other day and didn't see much difference in them.  Now I don't advise intentionally going after coyotes with that size of trap - a #2 or #3 would be a better choice with machine chain, at least two swivels and cross stakes.

[sdb777]

Checked traps last night, after resetting them yesterday afternoon.  Got four more, but these were little(about 6-8lbs).  Figured the first sets got the biggest part of the group, and know I'm just picking off the 'Johnny-come-late' bunch.

Follow up question:
Now that I've removed this many raccoons, how long before they move in from other areas?  How far do raccoons travel in an area that they call 'home'?  Or do they always move and cover new ground?


Scott (that's a bunch o' questions) B

[Bogmaster]

 Scott, as long as there is a good food source--you will have coon.
 You have thinned them out, and made room for more.They will filter in ,and over time be right back up there in numbers.
 Yearly trapping, should keep their numbers at a more manageable number.More birds will hatch,more food at your feeders for deer.
 Tom