Anyone ever thought about using a dolly(hand truck) to move those heavy cages with? Ive thought about it a few times carrying big coon that want to play teeter-totter in the cage as I am trying to get 'em back to the truck.

yep, works like a charm, as long as the ground is relatively smooth----gravity tipping the same direction of a lunging coon has made me grab it a few times to prevent crashing but since the coon is on the far side it doesn't know I'm reaching thru the cage to keep it upright.

I've found I can eliminate that problem by using a short piece of rope/cable with snap hooks on each end, and clipping it to the cage as far apart as possible. Lot's easier to handle and doesn't take up any room on the truck.

The best way that I have found to solve this problem is to catch two of them, side by side. That way if one is going forward and the other is going backward you will learn all the latest dance steps, whether you want to or not.

You can also practice on your grandkids. So far, at least, I have not caught a raccoon that is heavier or more active than my oldest granddaughter or her brother. If you can haul them from the pizza joint to their car without dropping them, you're good to go.

Seriously, I do know what you are talking about. This is probably one of the many reasons that my raccoons get transferred to a 9x9x26" cage. If they can run around in there, they are too small to worry about. I caught one of the largest and heaviest coons of the year today. Since he barely fit in the transfer cage, I didn't need a dolly. And I have to admit that if you get four at one stop, carrying one in each hand and one under each armpit, is not real easy.

How old and out of shape are you fellas that have to use a dolly to carry cage traps back to the truck? How far are you toteing them? I carry two at at a time loaded with coon and make as many trips as necessary to retreive them all.

The particular trap I had yesterday was a 42x15x15, it swallows critters lol. Was really annoying when I caught a 12" total body length possum in it. Its just an awkward trap to carry. Need to pick up some smaller traps.

Are you trying to catch the big foot of Perry county with that size trap. A bit of over kill for anything but maybe live cat or coyote work.

Bob,,bob,bob,bob,bob,,,,,,,, Not all of us are mister universe,,,,,,,,,

Good for you Bob. Sounds like you are back to 100% . I put the two cages with a raccoon each down twice yesterday on a job just going from the back of a house to the front may be 100 foot.

All the tugging left and right certainly made me think about this thread. I own a great dolly but would probably quit before I use it.

my dolly said if she has to carry the cage,,,,she get the money........

This has actually turned into a pretty good topic. Here's an experiment for all of you. Beg, borrow, or steal, a 9x9x26 inch trap. Place it right next to your regular raccoon size cage. ( For most of us that would be 10x12x32 inches. For most customers that would be 3 feet high by four feet wide by five feet long and still not big enough )

Wisconsin has some pretty good sized raccoons, comparatively speaking, and I'm never ceased to be amazed at how many of them will end up in the smaller cage. I'm just guessing, but I think this has to do with the closeness of the bait.

P.S. Those of us that have been collecting Social Security for a while, tend to leave our trucks at the bottom of the hill and roll our cages down to it.

I rarely see huge coons here in Florida. But customers think they sure are big .

I caught a non target coon in one of Scott Balts 8x8 traps . All I seen was a big ball of fur and wasn't even sure at first what it was until I seen the tail.

It must of seemed like ten minutes shaking that lil guy completely out of the cage

This is what I use and sell. Pictured is a Professional Series Tomahawk Raccoon trap.



Really helps with keeping the trap balanced and claws out of reach of your legs.

Good thinking Nate. I kind of miss not having my pants leg grabbed when I'm walking. I still have a bunch of the original 2 inch by one inch Tomahawks. The raccoons could can get both hands through those cages. The customers always marvel at how "brave" I am. Hey, at my age you take R-E-S-P-E-C-T where you can get it. ( Which reminds me that I met someone who had Aretha Franklin for a customer )

Here's a question I've been wondering about for at least twenty years: Do any of you weld the cage handles shut and if so, is there any consequence? ( Well, better late than never )

It all depends how badly the torn cartilage connecting my ribs to my spine has been irritated/inflamed from toting/dragging 50-70 lb beavers

I hear you loud and clear traprjohn. That's why I made myself in charge of chipmunks. They're dumber than beaver and I can carry six of them without straining a muscle.

Seems like getting dolly out of the truck would be more work then just grabbing up the cage and where would you put a dolly on the truck .I got a couple sweet carts I use when I need to haul traps way back in . The canoe straps on top of loaded cart then load more gear in that . Tie about 30 foot of rope on the handle and away we go . Normally about ready to die by the time I return but darn fine work out .

Try hauling out some beaver in a comstock trap when your over the hill. Me i use a wagon to haul when i can.

Hauling equipment back into a remote location is just a good business practice Carrying cages from the average consumer job site is another story.