Trappers: De-scenting a trap?

April 14, 2019, 07:09 AM

I have a Havahart trap. I also have a coon (or more likely coons) raiding my feed shed.

I caught one this morning that unfortunately contracted a terminal case of lead poisoning before I could remove it from the trap.

I'm not naive enough to believe Rocky was the only one, so I plan to reset the Coon Condo.

I hosed it off good with plain water to remove the detritus of Rocky's demise, but I'm wondering if I should do something to mask any remaining olfactory clues?

April 14, 2019, 07:49 AM

MNSIG

I’m not a trapper, but coons are such vile, filthy beasts that it probably would be fine to use their brother’s brains for bait.

April 14, 2019, 08:42 AM

chellim1

quote:
I hosed it off good with plain water to remove the detritus of Rocky's demise, but I'm wondering if I should do something to mask any remaining olfactory clues?

That's probably enough.
I use soap water for lots of things. I mix a little Dawn dishwashing liquid in a squirt bottle. That might help a little before you hose it off.

I trapped 12 coons over about 6 months. They were living in my attic without paying rent. They met a similar demise.

Coons are smart creatures though. Don't be surprised if the remaining coons quickly figure out that going in your Havahart trap is a bad idea. When that day comes, you might try these:

Duke DP Dog Proof Coon Traps 0510 Lil Griz Type Trapping Raccoon
https://www.hilltopoutdoorsupp...om/product-p/ddp.htm

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April 14, 2019, 02:03 PM

jimmy123x

Unscented bleach. Dilute it down to about 20% and put in a spray bottle, spray it on, rinse it off good.....once it's dry it won't have a residual scent on the trap.

I've found if you have a water source nearby, it's best to just throw the whole trap in the water (with a rope you clip on it) for 10 mins and just drown the animal.

April 14, 2019, 03:49 PM

newmexican

I have a very simple way I prep my traps and snares before setting them out and it seems to work well.

I take spruce needles, branches etc small stuff with lots of needles on it and boil them in a pot, I boil the trap in the water for awhile then try to handle them minimally before setting them out.

April 14, 2019, 04:00 PM

ensigmatic

Trappers up north where we used to vacation when I was a kid boiled 'em in something. The way the traps came out I got the impression there was wax in it.

I still have a #0 one of those trappers gave me.

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