How to Trap Raccoons for Beginners

Raccoons are at the top of the list of most effective turkey nest predators. Now is the time to remove these egg-eating bandits from your landscape in order to help hen nesting efforts this spring. 

If you are interested in managing your property for turkeys, you can have an impact on turkey nest success if you begin trapping mammalian nest predators. Mammals make up an average of around 60% in nest predation. Studies have shown tremendous increases in turkey numbers after trapping has taken place in an area. Let’s get started! 

Trapping Gear 

When you’re targeting raccoons, you want to get dog-proof traps. Dog-proof traps are efficient and easy to set. You will want to buy at least six traps if you are trapping on 50 acres or more. Your odds increase with the number of traps you put out. 

At minimum you need your trapping license, traps, cable or chains to secure traps to trees, trap tags and bait. 

For your all-in-one option, the North American Trapper Dog-Proof Raccoon Package has all the tools you need to successfully trap raccoons. This is the ultimate starter kit for a beginner in trapping. The kit comes with the basic dog-proof equipment necessary to get those tight chains on the line. The NAT Dog-Proof Raccoon Package comes with six Duke Dog Proof Traps, six 3’ cable extensions with S-hooks, and six NAT Ground Talon SD Stakes. The package also includes a wood handle trapper’s trowel, a trapper’s hammer, stake driver, S-hook tool, trapper gloves, water gauntlets and a pack of 25 trap tags. Use the Raccoon Buster Dog-Proof Bait, Magnet Trailing Scent and Hunter Water Lure to bait your traps to maximize the potential of your sets. 

 Dispatch your nest raiders with the North American Trapper .177 Crosman Vantage edition. This .177 is powered by a nitro piston and reaches velocities up to 1,200 feet per second. The Crosman Vantage is a break barrel single shot capacity using .177 pellet ammo and is touted as 70% quieter and 25% more accurate than other .177 options. North American Trapper’s logo is engraved into the wood stock, the Crosman Vantage is 45” long and weights about seven pounds. 

Trap Placement 

Trap your property in sections. Focus on an area and if you start catching raccoons, reset those traps until things slow down. If you don’t catch any, or if success frequency slows up, move the traps to a different area. 

You have probably noticed an abundance of raccoons around deer feeders and in front of cameras during the fall. These are obvious places to set traps, it might even be the first area you try. 

Trapping along blowdowns and logs can also yield tight chains. Raccoons like to climb and walk across logs. Target those fallen logs and set your traps. There is a good chance you’ll have success. 

Members of the Kentucky Nest Predator Trapping group on Facebook weighed in on some of their favorite trapping locations. 

“I’ve always had luck around pond banks, creek banks and creek drains,” Travis Holder said. 

“Feed sites until you start catching them,” Ed Hancock said. “Doesn’t take them long to figure the traps out. Then trails and den trees.” 

“I’ve got dog-proofs set at several locations on our farm,” Joey Blacklock said. “I’ve set them at feed sites, creeks, ponds and on trails where I’ve seen tracks. So far, water sources have been the most productive, but we’ve caught them in all.” 

Billy Barnett of Turkey Hunting USA – Billy Barnett likes to set traps along logging roads. 

“Around any water source, ponds, creeks or ditches all seem good for me,” James Knowles said. 

These are all excellent places for your trapping sets. As you try these areas on your property you will begin to gain experience. Experience increases trapping success which contributes to improvement in turkey poult recruitment. Conservation efforts at its finest. 

Bait 

North American Trapper Coonbuster “Crawfish” Dog-Proof Bait is a sure-fire lure that will help you catch those nest predators. This is North American Trapper’s signature dog-proof blend of lure that is soaked in pure crawfish oil. Nest predators won’t be able to resist the bait. 

Many trappers have had success with various homemade bait remedies. Dog food, marshmallows and syrup have been known to bait raccoons into your setup. Some trappers use dry cat food, marshmallows and fish oil.  

Others have used peanut butter, oatmeal and grape kool-aid mix, or bacon grease and dry cat food. Sardines are also the perfect bait to add to your traps. Racoons are curious in nature and they have a great sense of smell. They also have a sweet tooth. Use that knowledge, combine these baits with your dog-proof traps and you’ll be dispatching raccoons in no time. 

Save The Poults 

Recent studies out of Tennessee indicate low nest success and poult survival as a result of predation. Save the poults! That is the new mission behind the movement to trap as many raccoons as possible. Trapping is a tool of conservation and it’s important for us to be good stewards of our natural resources. Trapping is also a great way for family to enjoy the outdoors together.