Raccoons are relatively easy to catch in traps, but it takes a sturdy trap to hold one. Whenever trapping, be sure to consider pets (yours and your neighbor's) before selecting a trap and baits. Neighbors react very unpredictably when they realize that you have trapped their beloved cat. When pets are in the equation, cage- or box-type live traps are the preferred alternative to foothold or lethal traps. Cage traps should be at least 10 x 12 x 32 inches (25.4 x 30.5 x 81.3 cm) and well-constructed with heavy materials. They can be baited with canned fish-flavored cat food, sardines, fish, or chicken; if free-roaming cats are in your neighborhood, marshallows are an excellent substitute.
Place a pile of bait behind the treadle, and scatter a few small bits of bait outside the opening of the trap and just inside the entrance. Traps with a single door should be placed with the back against a wall, tree, or other object. Box traps should be securely staked to the ground to prevent raccoons from flipping the trap and opening the doors. The back portion of the trap should be tightly screened with one-half inch (1.3 cm) or smaller mesh wire to prevent raccoons from reaching through the wire to pull out the bait.
Conibear®-type body-gripping traps are lethal traps but are effective for raccoons and can be used in natural or artificial cubbies or boxes. Because these traps do not allow for selective release of nontarget catches, they should not be used in areas where the risk of nontarget capture is high. Cage or foothold traps should be used in those situations instead. It is possible, however, to use body-gripping traps in boxes or on leaning poles so that they are inaccessible to dogs. Check local state laws for restrictions regarding use of Conibear®-type traps; they should not be used if unsupervised children are in the area.
Raccoons can also be captured in foothold traps. Use a No. 1 or No. 1 1/2 coilspring or stoploss trap fastened to a drag such as a stout tree limb 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) long or other heavy nearyby object. Bait the trap with marshmallows wired to the trip lever to reduce the chance of catching nontarget animals. For water sets, use a drowning wire that leads to deep water. The Lil' Grizz trap and Egg trap are new foot-holding devices that are highly selective and dog-proof, and they show promise for reducing trap-related injury. They are available from trapping supply outlets.
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Raccoons
