Deadfall for racoon
 

Has anyone tried catching racoon in deadfall traps? I am starting to build one and am looking at a 60# steel plate for the deadfall (small package). They are pretty tough. Will this be heavy enough? I'm only looking at a 6" drop, again to keep the package small. The reason I'm not using leg hold traps is I'm just in the city limits and the noise of a caught 'coon may be a problem.

RE: Deadfall for racoon
 

You might want to check and make sure trapping is legal within city limits. I know here, it's illegal though if it wasn't I'd have taken several coons this last season.

RE: Deadfall for racoon
 

I had a problem last year with coon's getting into my trash every night. I set a Havahart live trap and caught a few last year. I dont know what kind of noise it made when it was first caught but when I went out in the morning they were all quiet. I'd take them about 5 miles away and let them go again in a secluded woodsy area.

RE: Deadfall for racoon
 

A 220 Conibear trap makes short work of coon ,chucks ect.
I set them infront of a 12" pipe with bait in the pipe (other end blocked off).
If you have a Gander Mountain they carry them ( they do in my area).
Just have to block off the area so no kids or dogs get in any trap.

Apples and bannas work great for coon bait ( cats and dogs are not atracted).

Hope this helps .

Johnch

RE: Deadfall for racoon
 

never heard of a deadfall trap, is this a kind of a live trap?

RE: Deadfall for racoon
 

It is a kill trap that drops a log or weight on the animal to kill it .
That type of trap is not allowed in Ohio .

Johnch

RE: Deadfall for racoon
 

Be careful. You might set for raccoon and get the neighbors cat or dog. I would recommend a live trap. That way it will save you legal problems. It the raccoon season open now?? Check your regs before you make any decision on traps and there usage.

RE: Deadfall for racoon
 

Thanks for all the input. I'm sorry I didn't do my homework first. Deadfall traps are illegal in IL also. The bait I would use would exclude cats (they won't touch hashbrowns). No dogs loose in our area (for any length of time) that I have seen in 8 years. I'll check the ordinances for trapping in the city. Probably not allowed. Trying to protect my garbage & garden. Tried the "tabasco sandwich" last year. Worked for about two weeks. I couldn't believe it was eaten! Thinking of something more permanent.

RE: Deadfall for racoon
 

Try the live traps. They're perfectly legal, since it's not killing the animal. Then, like PA said, you can take it away and release it in the wild... or, if you're like my wife, you can put it in a cage and try to domesticate it.

RE: Deadfall for racoon
 

i would check with your local authority,
city limits generally have stricter requirements than state level
might need a specific nuisance license/permit

RE: Deadfall for racoon
 

marshmallows work as well, and are cheap. pre-bait if you are using a box trap.

RE: Deadfall for racoon
 

releasing them just puts them somewhere else, and coons are good for nothing

RE: Deadfall for racoon
 

Here in Illinois you can trap in the city limits. Call the DNR office in your region, and they will issue you a 30 day permit. Just tell them it is damaging your property. Their is no fee for it, and they will mail it to you. You have to use a live trap. You have to attatch a tag with your name, address, and telephone number, and check it every day. When you catch a coon, you cannot release it. It must be destroyed. I know all of this because I had a coon that kept getting into my garage. The best bait is a can of cat food. If you catch a cat, just let it out in the morming. And when you transport the coon to the country to kill it, make sure you take your permit with you. Hope this helps, and good luck.

RE: Deadfall for racoon
 

I have caught alot of coons in a Hav A Hart trap just set it and throw some sardines on the pan!