As far as trapping coons goes, I've only used live traps in the past. I'm about to go to war with the coons so am looking at the Z Traps, I have heard they are the best? All opinions & tips are appreciated. Figured I'd hit up the THF before I punch in my card number. Thanks in advance.

The Z trap is good and I have had great luck with them and the Dukes. But the Freedom FB1 is super easy and fast to set.
I use them and a live trap. Fancy bates are a bit overrated but work good if not at a feeder. But the coons that come to a feeder to get corn or protein we bait them with corn or protein (it is handy right there in the feeder) and I have caught 100s of coons that way. We also use cat food on the back porch to get them, as that is what they came for.

I like coon daggers. They are a little higher, but are well built. They also have the push/pull trigger. I have Dukes too, and they work fine. I usually just use cheap, salmon flavored dry cat food. Doesn't hurt to add a squirt of vanilla, butterscotch, or cherry flavoring. Dollar Tree usually has a couple different flavorings. Go to jack mackerel when it gets colder. Main thing with whatever brand you decide is to set them where the coons have trip over them.

+1 on the coon dagggers.

I'll be trying out some Z-Traps over the Labor Day weekend. I like the two-way trigger over the Dike's one-way. We'll see. Bait will be mini marshmallows or corn.

Z traps

Do you ever have problems with deer when baiting the traps with corn?