So after Feb. 28th in Ohio the fur starts to degrade? but iys fine in other parts of the country? I know breeding season
is starting but I feel we should still be trapping until the end of March. Too much bad weather during our short season.

Here the season ends Jan 31st. Some coon will have rubs at that point and buyers won't take them. Very shortly after jan 31st they start losing fur. I'm not sure about other parts of the country. Our season usually has 3-4 weeks of good coon trapping.

Last fall DP traps were legalized in Ontario Canada. We have only been allowed to use conibears on land. 2010-2011 season we can use Grizs @ Duffers (only 2 certified) on land (no other legholds). This opens up a lot of property for us where people didn't want killer traps.I am new to your site and see that without a doubt the Griz works great.What I would like to know is how you set them, do you dig a hole, lay them on the ground, stand them up, use a drag, s-hook@ rebar. You seem to have great success, just hoping to be as good at it with these new traps. Hope to hear from someone DAVE.

what would be a good trap leg hold wise to trap them just staarting out on my own and just would like to know the best leg hold style and size to use. any input would be helpfull.

Lil griz have a v shaped stabilizer on the bottom, you stick that in the ground and run a stick through it, pinning the trap in place. The trap itself stays above ground. I anchor them with 3/32 cable looped around a sapling and quick linked to the chain.....fast and works great.

some great stuff here

Lil' Grizz is said to have four (4) new designs coming out this year. Can't wait to see those.

Clam shells found along the bank can be kept for eye-appeal at sets.

I use both clam and oyster shells as a bait holder in my cage traps.

That last pic is a great one!!! I hope I see some like that this year.

Put marshmellows, liquid smoke, syrup, and Jack Makeral into a pot, mix well, store over summer for smell (if storing over summer, do not put in syrup). Marshmellows need to be cutup. Marshmellows for eye sight, liquid smoke, syrup, and Jack Mackeral for smell. I made 1 set, caught a coon in 1 night. Report back to me on how well you did with the bait.

X2

Kevin, I think you would follow me to the ends of the earth..

Brennan,

Have you actually tried letting that sit as is "over the summer for smell"???

I would think thats something you maybe want to make fresh.

Then a answer to the problem is don't put in syrup. I never thought of that. But in winter it won't matter. Thanks.

Me personally, I think there are a lot better, simpler, and more versatile options out there than what you listed. But if it works for you then go ahead.

Regular table syrup is not the best to work with in cool temps, in my opinion.

I like cut up bullheads and fish oil/shellfish oil mix. Or mini marshmellows and a coon lure (I like Caven's Moonshine or Carmen's Coon lure)....both are sort of fruity.

I use the fish in boxes and pockets, and marshmellows in DP's and boxes.

It happens at times, like last season, where one works when the other doesn't. For example, we had higher water here and the corn was out longer....just couldn't interest coons in fish and pockets. Switched to DP's on the banks and picked up a good run of coons right before freeze up when I thought it was already over for the season.

Would you suggest taking out syrup? It might not be making any difference.

I'm not an expert, and don't want to be.

But a concoction like that might be good if you mixed it right before you use it. I just think if you used a chunk of fish (or marshmellows), a little commercially made coon lure, and a shot of fish oil at a set....you'd be happy with the results.

Don't worry about being an expert. No trapper knows everything.

I just would like to be able to have something made up on my own. That way I'm independent.

Okay....

Just my opinion, but I think its better for a new trapper to focus on learning the animals and know how to trap them inside and out, before trying to re-invent the wheel when it comes to lures.

I would work on getting to the point that you can go out and stack a truck full of coons before you start worrying about making your own lure.

But thats just me, and what I focus on.