Baiting a location for coon before season is open in MN

[darrenjgrefe]

Is is legal to set out a food source for coon prior to the trapping opener in Minnesota? This pre-baiting would be for the intent to set traps at said location after the season is open. 

[trappnman]

yes it would be legal- but I question on how much value it might be during trapping season- coon are so single minded about food at times- following ripening berrys, mast, milk corn, etc that at times its impossible to entice them from those sources.

my opinion would be to make some sort of feeder, and a cheap dry feed dog food that you keep regularly stocked, or field corn but both would be expensive- you could easily go through a bag a week, or even spreading out over 2 weeks- still would add up.

if I were going to do it- I'd wait until a week before, then hit it hard and heavy with molasses added to the dog food, something sweet that carries, and use a good coon call lure up high- I'd think your first nights catch would be good-

its really a toss up based on your circumstances as to worth the effort- for me, it never has been

but in answer to your question, yes its legal.

[darrenjgrefe]

Thanks for the reply. I have received some conflicting information regarding prebaiting for coon. I agree with coon being single minded and following food sources. I put time at the top of my trap line list. I was thinking about a bait station to improve my catch odds while being a weekend warrior. Do I use livestock molasses that I'd find at Fleet and Farm?

[trappnman]

what conflicting information did you get?

I do see that it now states " if you see a dog in a trap, or catch a dog in your trap, you are suppose to call the dnr"

how about if I see a dog running at large, I'll call the dnr"

after all, if they have time for silly, I'll oblige

[Deleted]

Prebaiting for coon MUST work or all of the folks who have deer hunting properties in my county wouldn't be complaining about "herds" of coon sucking up the corn from their deer feeders. I've been shown several photos of 9-10 coon in a bunch under a corn feeder.

[blackhammer]

Aug 4, 2014 7:00:20 GMT -6 trappnman said:

what conflicting information did you get?

I do see that it now states " if you see a dog in a trap, or catch a dog in your trap, you are suppose to call the dnr"

how about if I see a dog running at large, I'll call the dnr"

after all, if they have time for silly, I'll oblige

Could point T-Man , people can let their dogs run everywhere and if the dnr said we got to control all these dogs running at large or ferel cats for that matter people would cry bloody murder. DNRs are afraid to manage wildlife the right way and just cowties to the ignorant, over emotional general public. I'm sensing a change in Mn's dnr where our trapping options are going to disappear as we keep getting more regulated. After all why should a trapper be able to make money off wildlife? The powers to be can sit in their cushy offices and take our tax dollars to their banks. Of course that's different in some way I guess. It's just to bad our trapping associations seem to be fragmented and so lacking in directions. Lucky I'm getting old I guess cause you guys in your twenties and thirties may not be trapping at least to amount to anything monetarily in ten, twenty years. Sorry for the thread hijack. Coon prebaiting is pretty tough to justify for a longer line anyhow. You ever tried it on canines Steve?

[trappnman]

I'm sad to say that I tend to agree with you Paul concerning the state of affairs in trapping.

national trapping associations are a nice social network to a degree, but I see little good that they do beyond that. I think trapping would be better served if 100% of our dollars went to USSA- the only national group that has continued to put their money where their mouth is, and give back to trappers fighting legislation and pursuing lawsuits that far exceeds the money we give them. USSA was started as a trappers rights organization, and they have never forgotten their roots.

I should do far more canine prebaiting than I do- luckily, I have farmers that will put dead animals out for me in spots I ask them too. Without a doubt I think that a regular dead pile, will get those coyotes coming regular and regular (daily) is the key to in and out.

1080 has stated we should ask every farmer we know to call with dead calves, and prebait a multitude of spots throughout the non season.

I think Coonduke tried a big prebaiting thing for coon 1 year, and if I recall correctly, with mixed results at best-

[darrenjgrefe]

I was told that I could not bait for coon until the season opened.

[trappnman]

from where?

[darrenjgrefe]

A game warden told me I could not bait before season...I was not in the mood to exchange my views with him at the time and I think he was too busy to just tell me he was not sure and would have to get back to me with the answer. I have no gripes with the wardens! I'm just looking for some info so I can get back with him to discuss my views on prebaitng coon before the season.

Baiting for Deer is a mess where I live. I'm sure the wardens have had to deal with someone placing a food source out to attract deer but set up in a way to look like someone else was baiting for coon and saying they had no idea the bucket was located near their stand.

[trappnman]

to be clear- I didn't talk to the state, just saying I've never heard of such a ban, and cannot find such in the game/trapping laws. personally, I'd just do it, but to sure give the state dnr a call-