I have used the live traps with some success over the years and have recently been reading about Dukes dog proof coon traps. Does anyone have any experience with these? Is there a better method or piece of gear to use? I like the ol Spotlight and 10/22 but want something more effective. All coons in the traps will be vaccinated with some lead so no worries on trying to release. Unless a buddy leaves his truck unlocked......

Dukes! I drive a stake into the ground that is attached to the trap. U can use marshmallows, dog or cat food, corn, protein pellets, sardines, syrup, fish oil...I've nailed them with all of the above. Buy the half dozen or dozen pack from Dukes and set them around the feeders you have problems with. You WILL catch em!

About the biggest argument you will have is on bait. Marshmallows, fish, peanut butter, etc. I think most people like this style trap, cheap, effective, and easy to use in populated areas.

Dukes dog proof coon traps

corn or marshmallow inside.

the hand trap mentioned works really well
I killed 7 coons last weekend with those

I use Dukes dog proof traps also. I bait mine with dry cat food.

Thanks for the info. Best place to buy duke dp traps?

Nice! Does it matter if you set the traps within eyesight of each other? Not sure if there is coon language to signal don't touch that!

Worth buying. I tied one to a tree the other night though, and the trap was gone the next day. Coon chewed through the wire. I'm using a chain now

You can trap with relative success. I like the dog proof traps (be sure and buy the setting tool also), but I also use a #3 Victor at the base of feeder legs. My Coons have stopped going into 'live traps' altogether. I have video of Coons jumping onto the feeder legs from about 2' out in order to avoid the Victors (even though hidden).

The dog proof traps work pretty well...because they take advantage of the Coon's natural tendency to 'reach in' and explore for possible food sources.

Recently, I've had to invest in a .17 HMR and Scope in order to 'snipe' them while I am out hog hunting at night over dedicated hog stands. Use everything at your disposal. I don't mind a few Coons feeding on the corn, but I've had numbers as high as 8-10 at one time before. Not good!

Thanks flintknapper. I just so happen to have a new .17 hmr savage and scope and Wicked Lights! Coons have cut down my success on live traps big time. It was rocking pretty damn good for a while though. I have not seen the #3 victor traps yet.


Now for the last question.
WHERE IS THE BEST/CHEAPEST PLACE TO PURCHASE TRAPS????

Z traps. Okie cable and trap supply

I had them 3 ft apart it didn't bother them

I bait w tuna and Poured extra juice in the tube

Gang set. Always!

We set two to a feeder and many times catch a coon in each one. Sometimes tho, the greedy coon will have a hand in each one!

Awesome pics, thanks.

That's pretty funny Texas2

I picked mine up on ebay. Lots of trapping suppliers have storefronts there. I live out in the country so it was just easier for me to have them delivered to me instead of going into town and driving all over the place looking for some.

I went to pcs outdoors and bought a dozen plus setting tool. It came with a couple crawfish bait things. Dozen traps plus crawdads $125 and $1.99 for trap setter. $16 to fed ex though

I think you'll really like them, I know I do. Coon's will reach right into them...without hesitation. When they feel the trigger bar, they naturally grab it and 'pull'...WHAM...caught coon! The design is quite ingenious.

You don't have to worry about anything else getting into them, or setting them off. I've never had a coon twist out of one, or gnaw at their leg using that trap.

But, like all things...coons eventually figure out whats going on. So try to find the most 'irresistible' bait for them... so that you catch ALL of the coons present in one set.

If you have 5 coons at a bait site and only two of them find your bait/set enticing enough to reach into the trap, the other 3 will notice that their 'com-padres' are running big circles with something rather large on their legs.

Typically, it doesn't frighten them away from the spot, but it will make them suspicious of the traps (in time). Always best to be successful with your first set. At present, I have a group of Coons that have pretty much figured out...that ANYTHING that isn't the legs of the feeder or normal/recognizable ground, is something to be avoided. I've had to resort to 'sniping' them from a distance.

The dog-proof traps work great. However, they aren't "skunk-proof". Never expected a skunk to reach in for marshmallows but it happened to me in January. Not a fun experience.

Been there, not a happy black and white kitty.

Haha, I've caught skunks in the live traps. No easy way out of that!

I guess I will set all 12 or so in one spot where I have seen at least half a dozen at once. Maybe a sardine in each one will keep the coons reaching in one after another!

Hard to read without replying...

(1) always set 3 or more traps per location

(2) NEVER set 2 traps close enough that ONE coon can get into BOTH traps.

Carry on...

i get all my stuff at PCS Outdoors and FnT Post.com….got 8 good coons last weekend. the 160 conibear and 220 conibear are great traps to set along creeks and high bank trails. a couple marshmallows and its lights out.

Get the Dukes. There are a few different brands out there that are not as effective. One was called an F3 (I think). It had a flapper to press to set it instead of using a setting tool. Some of them never tripped for us.
I have trapped well over 200 coons using just corn. It is what they came to the feeder for, and I do not have to carry bait around. There is plenty in the feeder.
Double tie wire your trap to the feeder leg, post, tree or whatever. I had a helper single tie some and I lost some traps. I later caught some three legged coons.
I have caught a few squirrels but thankfully I haven't been lucky enough to catch a skunk.