buckets and coons=What to do

[NEPISIGUIT]

I have noticed that not everyone agree,s with the use of buckets for catching coon. In my province we are limited as to the type of capture devices and sets we can use.(I AGREE THEY ARE NOT FOOLPROOF) too many times i have seen a coon approach the set,reach into the bucket for the bait and have the body gripper snap pn to the leg. A struggle always takes place and the animal usually escapes. this does not happen all the time but does too often for my liking.Any ideas out there on ways i can reduce or eliminate this situation.

[coonwhacker]

One idea would be when the coon seem to be wising upo to the bodygrippers in the bucket switch to a foothold outside the bucket. It worked for my dad when he thought a coon was stealing his bait, he caught a bobcat though.

mike

[NEPISIGUIT]

SURE WISH I COULD COON WACKER. CAN NOT USE LEG HOLDS, FOR RACCOON. Know that would work. I may receive some other ideas,ie{ where i place bucket or bait i use. Thanks any way.

[coonwhacker]

sorry I didn't realize you were from canada, LOL. Maybe if you would change your lure or bait you could get them interested enough to go inside. Just a few sugestions shellfish oil, procoon, something different maybe something they have not smelled before, use your imagination.

mike

[mattduncan]

hey i am also from can. i would do away with the buckets and just set the trails somtimes they are hard to find but when you find them they will out produce buckets ten fold

[JWarren]

I've never had a coon do that but bobcats do it all the time (paw in the bucket and fire/dislodge trap). Try using an extra tall bucket so it is deeper than the animals leg.

[Dan Allen]

I would go with a deeper bucket. Think that was my problem when I set up buckets. I never did catch a coon in a bucket. They always reached in and stole the bait. ~MT~

[chickyman]

i would either set the front of the bucket a couple inches off the ground i set all mine about 3 or 4"
or make boxes they can see through

[Ridgerunner]

Nep, In addition to the deeper buckets/boxes, etc. I would face my bodygripper so that the trigger sits furthur back. Also, bend the trigger wires so that they angle back a little more.

"Ridge"

[thebeav2]

In my opinion buckets and or boxes are very poor coon trapping set ups.But If you have to do it make some boxes,make them long enough so the coon can't reach the bait. Put screen in the back so they can see through.Place your trigger wires on the bottom and bend them In at a 90 deg angle and place a piece of wire mesh on the trigger wires to form a pan. Now the coon will have to crawl Into the box to get the bait and will spring the body grip just like a foot hold. No reaching In problems.
The only time I have had much luck with these boxes Is when the weather turned ugly and coon were doing things they don't normaly do.

[bobwendt]

I agree with mattduncan and beav, you couldn`t force me to carry buckets or boxes around. Just blind sets with 220`s in the trails are deadly ,and little or no misses. The trails are just everywhere and easily identifiable once you get the knack of where to look.

[lonetrapper]

by law here in n.s. canada we have to have the 220 inclosed in a box or bucket or a deadfall ,but the opening can only be so big ,if believe the closest the trigger can be to the opening is 7 inches approx,the opening would be 6x6 i use a round opening with 6 inch radius,or you could have trigger back 10 inches with an opening 8x10.i have never trapped racoons till last year used the boxes for the first with the trigger back 10 inches and still had a 6 inch radius on opening also had the bait at back of box in wire mesh which they could see and smell from an opening at the back of the box. the coons had to crawl in to get at bait and commit themself .last year i had gotten 31 raccoons not alot by some standards but for me it was, hope to break 100 this year from what i learned last year and on the this site .the boxes are heavy and awkward to carry but they gave me a piece of mind about non target animals .

[NEPISIGUIT]

Thanks once again. Great minds make light work. Sometimes the lightbulb doesen,t go on as it should in this house. Will try your methods.