Guidelines for coni cage in wisconsin

[mustelameister]

Two incidences season before last that I personally talked to the dog owners, one a golden retriever, the other a beagle.

The beagle is understandable. Set a #160 in a trail, elevate the trap for the 'coon to leap through and not over, and you've got the perfect beagle set.

My wife and I have both a yellow lab and a golden retriever. The golden's head is small enough to easily pass into a #160. My lab, on the other hand, would have a difficult time getting far enough into a #160 to have it enclose behind the ears.

There was a cow in southwestern WI that died with a #160 on its muzzle. I know the trapper, not sure if it was reported. Baited bucket, salted fish for bait. Cow asphyxiated.

Enclosures are no guarantees, that's for sure. However, they have reduced the number of reported incidences of dogs in bodygrips.

[trappnman]

Speaking of cows- after I saw a couple LICKING my sets...I started wondering about a cow caught by the tongue.... and hope I never see it!

without a doubt enclosures help reduce dog catches.

But even so..even so.... trap placement is the key. If in doubt- DON'T.

I could easily live my life without setting another 220, and might well do so. Haven't set any now in last couple of years. Not because of incidentals, but personal preference.

But I'll defend anyones right to use them.

And to say they should be outlawed- is a slippery slope that I for one do not want to descend.

If you go to all the trouble to build cage trap type enclosures- why not just use the cage trap?

[mustelameister]

Tman: If you go to all the trouble to build cage trap type enclosures- why not just use the cage trap?

The enclosures I run are not much trouble to build, use and store. Three bends on a 32" length of fencing.

Why not use the cage trap? I can run 50 enclosed #220s much quicker and cleaner than 50 cage traps. I usually run these during the dryland 'coon season which requires a daily check.

The critter is dead, therefore no time consuming dispatch, and no blood.

Cage traps I reserve for campgrounds and barns.

[trappnman]

I agree on the simple enclosures. long before the current debate, I tried 1 x2 wire cut about like you say- with the trap in the middle. All unbaited trail sets. worked ok, but still had too many walk arounds.

btw- those same wire enclosures you use- work very well on marsh settings for coon. Make them with one opening. I used to just pile marsh grasses over the back open end- add a bunch of grass inside at the back to hold bait, lay some wet grass/reeds over top- and instant cubby that works well. I used 1.5s when doing so.

[mustelameister]

Okay, simple #220 enclosures. First off, the tools:

Here's the enclosure, 32" long. You'll notice I cut out one of the 1x2 panels on each side dead center to allow for the bodygrip springs to fold down and through the enclosure. #220, my favorite #220 setter, homemade #220 support, and 3/8" T-bar.


Closeup of my homemade #220 supports. Lath, glued and screwed, with carriage bolts bolted through. In sand I have longer carriage bolts. Supports are thrown in logwood dye barrel.


Finished set. The extra length of 3/32" cable from swiveled chain end to S-link for stake is for when I set crossing logs (w/o enclosure) to allow trap & critter to submerge for drowning set, qualifying for 2-3 day check.


'Coon's eye view of memory lane. Notice bodygrip triggers are partially twisted together, then one vertical and other horizontal to allow for majority of smaller, nontargets to pass through.


Notice the T-bar snugs the enclosure right down, keeping the enclosure legal for 10x10x10 openings in unbaited, unlured set.


As mentioned earlier, I get these enclosures out in August when I've got time to fool around with stuff like this, load the tops with dead branches and grass 'em over. Critters are used to 'em by the time mid-October rolls around.

These enclosures will stack at least 10-12 high. That's manageable in a truck or boat.

It's a good idea to have the chain or cable coming off your #220 go through the enclosure, especially if you're trapping on a high river bank. Often trapped big 'coon will 'cause the enclosure to go flying, and if not tethered, may bounce down the bank into the drink. Learned that the hard way.

[mustelameister]

I've also used these in January on top of shelf ice where 'coon tracks indicate multiple use trail. I look for pinch points and again fence off the sides and top of the cage.

When switching to baited/lured set, I bend the bottom 2" (one panel) out so it lowers the enclosure to 8" high. 8x10x8 lured/baited is legal with #220 recessed the 16" it is in this set.

Though the debate on food lures in January is ongoing, and I do enjoy those discussions, I've found that a trail of mini-marshmallows running the length of the enclosure along with a healthy shot of shellfish oil helps to encourage the 'coon through the #220.

[furman]

Good pics mustelmeister

I think I might have to build some of them cages and put them out soon like you said.

There are a few trails on my line that are begging for that set up.

[mustelameister]

Biggest 'coon to date taken in one of these enclosures weighed 37#. Some claim the bigger 'coon will avoid these enclosures, and I'm sure some do. However, by getting these enclosures out early, the critters are used to using them and an added #220 isn't much of a distraction. Rarely do I see a side trail started around an enclosure that's been out 2 months prior to 'coon season.

These are specialty sets, no doubt. I use them for one week or two on the front end of 'coon season, depending on how long we get to dryland before water sets kick in. In the last couple of years I've experimented with them on the big river in January, weather permitting. Learned a lot about 'coon. One thing for sure Steve has pointed out: January 'coon ain't October/November 'coon.

[trappnman]

mm- do you find that the marshmallows have a smell to them? I always felt they were more of a visual than a food lure.

[trappnman]

mm- you coming to FTA? I'd love to sit down and talk winter coon with you.

I'll share my "new" winter coon secret with you. Sorry to say, I'm going to hold off on publishing this and use the resource exclusively for a while.

I know, I know.... post it here.... LOL

see me in person if you are interested....

[thebeav2]

The biggest problem with setting out a head of time Is you have to pull the cage to place the trap this In most cases destroys the natural look of the set. The coon may have been going through these enclosers early on, but once you disturb things It's time for refusals. Another problem lies In that every time you catch a coon you have to pull the cage and re make the whole set and If your trail Is any good at all pretty soon you will have the whole area beat down while re making the set.
I have spent many years trapping coon and trying to perfect the use of enclosures and 220s and have found It's a far cry from being effective.
Brushed In trails and elevated 160s get er done with a lot less hassle.

[mustelameister]

Steve: Could be the mini-marshmallows are more of a visual, especially the colored ones. However, they're usually gone, on the side the 'coon came in on. The mice and other critters must like them too.

Brushed in #160s vs enclosed #220s . . . hmmmmm . . . which is more effective? Not sure!

Certainly the unenclosed #160 is much less hassle. If I was running a couple hundred bodygrips a day I sure wouldn't want to mess with these enclosures.

When I retire in 4 years, and find out what trapping in daylight every day is like . . maybe I'll just go #160s that first week or two of dryland 'coon trapping. Maybe I fart around now with #220s because I have 5 dozen of them, and they've worked during this limited time period so far in the enclosures.

We'll be at the Prairie du Chien rendezvous that weekend of FTA, making some $$. But we will be up Thursday night to the WTA Convention camping through to Sunday morning, and I'll take you up on that conversation on winter 'coon for sure.

I feel like my October through early December (depending on weather) 'coon trapping is nearing "perfection", however one defines that. It's that late December, January 'coon that has me puzzled. I know there is a winter 'coon secret. I just haven't stumbled on it yet. Guess I'll have to wait for the . . . . book?

[mustelameister]

Beav: Every one of your points is true about the enclosed #220.

However, there is one very positive benefit to using this setup in areas where you've got other two-legged critters. It's hidden. So is the catch, most of the time.

I'm not a road trapper, but if you were running these off the road in a trail perpendicular to the road, say on the other side of the fence, a fella could come to a stop, get low-powered binoculars out, and check the set from the truck by looking through the enclosure. Just a thought.

[thebeav2]

That would work Mike but Here's a better system then binoculars.
Get some of those flags they use for marking under ground wire locations. Roll up the flagging shove the wire In the ground outside the cage and then place the flag end under the trap dog. Acts just like a tip up. I use this set up In those deep ditches along the road where It's a real chore climbing down and checking every day. You can check these kind of locations going 60 MPH down the road.

[trappnman]

very good idea!

[mustelameister]

Maybe Gary's book on Tips on Roadside Trapping will come out right after Steve's book on Secrets of Targeting January 'Coon . . .

I like the flagging, but again, in multiuse areas, you'd be helping others.

60 mph?

[trappnman]

Chapter #1- the BIG secret... don't believe all you hear

mm- I think, seriously, and have thought this before- we should collaborate on a coon book. We have specialized to a degree in different areas, with kinda a unique viewpoint...

something to think about and talk about later....

[17HMR]

"If you dont want to share dont post!" Where have I seen this wrote before?

[trappnman]

LOL- I know, I know.....

but its not a method, lure or bait...

[17HMR]

Well, out with it then? I have more trouble with coon than any thing else, except for mink. But I think it has more to do with lack of coons in the area I spend my time.