Do you have any advice for coon trapping?
Yeah...The easiest way to catch coon AND possum... Make a set for most anything else!
Actually, coon aren't that difficult to catch. They are naturally curious creatures and are drawn to strong smells.
Give them a little sight appeal at the set. I have done well with cage traps by hanging my baits in the rear of the cage. You can play on his sweet tooth and hang a couple of marsh mallows. Along with this I like to drizzle a little molasses from the trap out toward where they travel to give his nose something to follow back to the trap.
Many have been caught on PVC pipe sets. Just a length of 3/4 inch PVC pipe with a 90 degree ell at the top. Drive the pipe into the bottom of shallow water to where the ell at the top is above the water just out of the coons reach. Place your bait inside the ell at the top and set a 1 1/2 leg hold trap just a few inches from the pipe. As he stands on his hind legs and walks around the pipe he will inevitably step into your trap.
Dog proof traps are all the rage right now. I have Duke dog proofs and Alcatraz dog proofs. Both work really well. The Alcatraz, while much easier to bait, set and clean may loose more than the Dukes. Bait 'em in the back, stake 'em down and stick 'em in the ground and your set is made. Fast and easy. If you're gonna do much coon trapping I'd advise you to get some.
Many different baits will work. Marsh mallows, sardines, banana pieces, or cob corn to name just a few. They also love fresh sweet corn, apple slices, different types of candies and various nuts. Back to my cage traps, I use peanut butter smeared across the pan and bed shelled corn into it. If one bait isn't working for you, don't hesitate to try something else or even something new.
If you are cage trapping, cover your traps across the top and sides giving them a tunnel effect. You can cover it with most anything handy; pine straw, leaves, grasses or even cardboard. Bait a little at the front of the trap to help him feel at ease eating near it.
That should be enough information to fill your shelves with coon pelts this season.
CAUTION!! If you are trapping for ADC purposes, you might want to stick with the cage traps. Get the family cat caught in a foot hold or have a some little kids dog stick toung in a dog proof and you'll have some irate customers on you hands.