Trapping Paid Off

[tynyphil]

For me it is disheartening when trying to grow some organic field corn or sweet corn and them bastards rape, pillage, and destroy a fine crop.

That is the main reason I got the dog proofs from TrapsUSA

Next on the hit list is squirrels, been eyeing up methods of using 110 conibears.

I feel your pain as far as corn harvesting. Those suckers wait until the day before you plan to harvest to decimate the crop. However I solved the problem with an electrified net fence around the garden. Only 30” tall that I can step over. Solar charger. Takes less than 30 minutes to put up or take down. Haven’t lost an ear of corn or tomato to coons or squirrels Since. Check out premier1supply.com for the fencing. I use a 42” tall for a chicken yard as well.

 

[Snattlerake]

I have used Duke's dog proof coon traps for years and swear by them. I have only caught 2 possums in them and one was released alive the other had a broken leg and was dispatched. I use mini marshmallows with Hershey's chocolate syrup. It works every time. They are suckers for something sweet. Buy Duke's with confidence.

Ya see, I was expecting sardines or something smelly like them. Ya learn sumpin every day don't ya.

 

[tynyphil]

Apparently you've got to purchase a dozen. 2 would be all I'd care to employ.

I found the duke's here Foot Hold Traps | Animal Traps & Supplies for $12.95 each. Lumber 2 here in SE OKC has them but they are $25 each.

 

[Snattlerake]

There's at least 5x the number of raccoons that you see, in the area. They have a 2-4 mile range from home base, is what I've read.

I use Duke DP traps, anchored with 12-18" rebar J-hooks. Do not put the traps close to something they can climb or they'll pull the rebar out. If near something vertical, use 100lb braided wire to the trap chain links and tie it off good! I put 5-7 pieces of dog food in the bottom, then impale a full size marshmallow on the trigger, length wise to fill the trap circumference.

I started using my gamo big cat 1200 pellet gun to dispatch. Much quieter and cheaper when going to war with raccoons. Put it between their eyes and a bit above for the brain. They become ditch ornaments for the owls, hawks, etc.

I would have thought there is a market for the pelts but I guess you aren't doing it for that purpose.

 

[Okie4570]

I would have thought there is a market for the pelts but I guess you aren't doing it for that purpose.

There's little to no fur market left in North America. China was the number one buyer of all US coons. Then they started raising their own lol, and left the US and Canada at the NAFTA fur auction with several million unsold coon pelts. Nearly everyone on down the line went broke. It affected all the other markets really, there's a small amount to be made with really prime coyotes and bobcats, but those will be pelts from Wyoming, Montana, Nevada and Idaho, not Oklahoma.

 

[retrieverman]

I really need to set traps the next time I’m up.

 

[Snattlerake]

There's little to no fur market left in North America. China was the number one buyer of all US coons. Then they started raising their own lol, and left the US and Canada at the NAFTA fur auction with several million unsold coon pelts. Nearly everyone on down the line went broke. It affected all the other markets really, there's a small amount to be made with really prime coyotes and bobcats, but those will be pelts from Wyoming, Montana, Nevada and Idaho, not Oklahoma.

KanOkla Fur Company

It shows Kingfisher, Woodward and Alva

 

[adamsredlines]

KanOkla Fur Company

It shows Kingfisher, Woodward and Alva

Buying furs and making it worth the drive are two different things.
I looked into it last year up here in Nebraska and they were paying like $1/coyote pelt, which you had to skin for them to take, and they were like an hour away. Nevermind the cost of the ammo was basically what you were going to get for the pelt, might as well just leave them in the field.

 

[dennishoddy]

Do you use the set tool ? Looks like a bent welding rod would duplicate it.

A flat blade screwdriver works just fine to set one but the set tool works easier. Most of the time, I just put the trap on the ground, push it with my palm and set the trigger.

 

[dennishoddy]

I thought Dukes were the first tubed dog proof on the market? The original coon cuff had square tubing as a base iirc.

Yes, built in Kansas. I have one, but the trigger must have been made of some brittle steel or something as a coon broke it off and the guy doesn't build them anymore. I guess I could spend a day in the shop building one, but for the new tube type prices, it's not worth my time to do so.