got to use common sense when dry trapping coons. they are very hard to hold in a foot trap especially the taperd front foot. hind foot catch is better on land. conibears in buckets are slick, and eliminates dispatching problems. but you have to be careful of set locations and bait selections. unless you are trapping an extremely remote area, you run the risk of catching domestics, and of course they can't be released from a baited cubby! public ground u risk the chance of catching a hunting dog and that ain't cool. when water trapping try to use drowner rigs. yeah the pelt is soaked and makes for harder skinning, but a good drowner set virtually eliminates pull outs, andanimal theft!as far as dispatching, the 22 short is a safe bet. i like a high-powered air-rifle shot to the head, especially if houses are within earshot. I have dispatched coyotes with my RWS. clubbing has been used for many years, and trust me from hanging out at the fur buyers, sometimes a blow to the head will make a bigger gash than a 22 short will. but just be discreet and humane whatever method you use. trapping is under great scrutiny these days, so be a role model.

brian