Trap question

[BlueHeronFarm]

We want to trap a problem raccoon - but not our barn kitties.
Can anyone suggest things to put in the trap that the raccoons will like, but cats will ignore?

[XLT]

what kind of trap?

if you use a live trap, you might catch the kitties a couple of times, but eventually the raccoon will probably show up. If you don't catch the right thing, just let it go

[BlueHeronFarm]

Sorry - yes - a live trap. ...but I'm such a softy I would hate to think of them stuck overnight.

[wizzard]

coons like things that are shiney, and fruit.... although im not a cat owner, im pretty sure they dont like those. coons also like peanut butter, not sure how cats feel about that. good luck trapping it, and if all else fails, keep the cats inside for 2-3 days and put catfood in the trap, that gets them every time.

[peter nap]

I doubt you'll catch a coon in a live trap. When you do, they tend to tear them up. You can try buttered rice. Believe it or not, coons love it. My wife used to sit outside of my workshop and feed the worthless things with a spoon.

I have a picture of her and over a dozen coons being spoon fed.

[BlueHeronFarm]

Well - don't tell your wife - i'm going to kill the little s***. It killed a duckling and has opened three bags of cattle feed, a chicken feed bag and a duck feed bag in the ast week or two. He'll have a great last meal, but he will NOT be relocated.

[bqz]

Try an egg, doubt the cats will mess with but that coon will go for it.

[dcross]

Marshmallows

[BlueHeronFarm]

Oh! I just bought marshmallows - making s'mores with my neices tomorrow. We'll try that - and peanut butter.

I'll let you all know if we have any success - or will take a photo if a poor kitty kitty gets stuck.

Thanks for the help!

[PD-Riverman]

1/2 of a glazed Honey Bun works everytime for me. I eat the other half while going to the trap.

[pixelphotograph]

my next door neighbors corn field will tell you they like fresh ears of corn very much LOL

[Rockin'B]

Originally Posted by peter nap

I doubt you'll catch a coon in a live trap. When you do, they tend to tear them up. You can try buttered rice. Believe it or not, coons love it. My wife used to sit outside of my workshop and feed the worthless things with a spoon.

I have a picture of her and over a dozen coons being spoon fed.

I've caught and dispatched a ton of coons using a Havahart live trap. They work well.

Cat food if there are no cats and dogs around. Marshmellows and fruit if there are.
I shoot them in the head with a 22 while they are still in the trap.

[DianeWV]

BlueHeron-we've got the same problem with a coon in our barn and cats around. My husband put out peanut butter on a piece of paper plate. Went out this morning and the coon was in the Havahart trap. He's been relocated to a different area. I wish you luck. Take Care

[quietstar]

I've caught dozens of Coons in a large HavaHeart trap using a little Meow Mix dry cat food in a tuna can with some dropped around the entry door. If there was a Coon alive that could tear up that trap, it would be scary to be out after dark. Watch your fingers moving the trap after it's caught and good luck...Glen

[PD-Riverman]

Originally Posted by peter nap

I doubt you'll catch a coon in a live trap. When you do, they tend to tear them up. You can try buttered rice. Believe it or not, coons love it. My wife used to sit outside of my workshop and feed the worthless things with a spoon.

I have a picture of her and over a dozen coons being spoon fed.

I also have caught ALOT of raccoons(some bob cats) in a Hav-a-hart trap and have never had to do any kind of repair on the trap, even when my Pitt Bull Dog finds the coon in the trap before me, he flips, jumps on, grabs etc the trap, he weigh's 85lb and he doesn't hurt the trap. You must have some coons on steriods or a screen wire trap--LOL.

[RACCOON]

coons love peaches

[Old John]

Fine, Fine, so you catch them.........Then What??
If you are going to Kill them anyway, just sit out on the deck with a
Shotgun, or a .22 with a laser on it. Not sure the .22 would even kill them.
I guess it'd have to be a good head-shot.

I think it's illegal to turn them loose on someone else.
I live about 8 or 10 miles from a State park.
I know it would be illegal to release them up there.

Drowning the poor suckers while they are in the Trap seems
even less Humane than a good Head-shot, if you are capable
of making one.
So.............whatcha gonna do??
Just asking.
Take care.

[Danaus29]

I've killed trapped coons with a .22. Close range, how could you miss? Head shots are tricky, gut or chest shot works best. Coons don't move around like squirrels so sticking the barrel between the wires and pulling the trigger is pretty easy. Might take 2 shots before they stop moving, but 2 bullets are cheaper than 1 chicken, IMO. 10 miles away isn't far enough to relocate a coon. They supposedly can find their way home from 15 to 20 miles away.

[Rocky Fields]

Hey.

Coon urine. I used to buy it where I bought deadpan traps. It comes in vials...you might find it on the web.

RF

[PD-Riverman]

Originally Posted by Old John

Fine, Fine, so you catch them.........Then What??
If you are going to Kill them anyway, just sit out on the deck with a
Shotgun, or a .22 with a laser on it. Not sure the .22 would even kill them.
I guess it'd have to be a good head-shot.

I think it's illegal to turn them loose on someone else.
I live about 8 or 10 miles from a State park.
I know it would be illegal to release them up there.

Drowning the poor suckers while they are in the Trap seems
even less Humane than a good Head-shot, if you are capable
of making one.
So.............whatcha gonna do??
Just asking.
Take care.

A head shot close range or my Bull Dog LOVES for me to just let him have it and save the bullet. Keep in mind I Love watching the Wild Life and Only take Care of "Problem" animals that come into my chicken pen area. I feed the racoons, ducks, deer, etc away from that area. I love animals, but I have to protect my Chickens, They Can Not protect themself's.

Another thing you can do once the coon is caught is sell it. Back when I coon-hunted years ago, I had one family that would give me $5 for every skint out coon I would bring him.