Anyone else here have no luck using DPs? I've tried every trick in the book and can't catch a coon in a DP, I know it's not because there's no coons because I catch them in my coyote sets

Some coons will not work DPs period! I have issues with this to, but I find it’s not the norm. Food/bait that tastes good to em is my tip to you that and as long as your putting that DP right where the coons are traveling. I have literally had some, very few coons that will walk right over top DPs never touch em. Don’t know why but a few just won’t. Touch em

Not really. Catching coons in a dp seems one of the easier things to do.
Maybe some coons won't work a dp, but most will.
As long as there is something they like inside the dp and the trigger is working, I don't see why you would not catch coons.
I would try pre-baiting an area, set up a few trail cameras and see what's going on. Then set a few dp's and catch coons!

I have a fair percentage of coons that just aren't interested in a DP. Maybe it is for the same reason that baited sets for coon don't work so well down here. There is just so much food available here year around.

My advice would be to experiment with different baits and and lures in the DP's and make sure that the coons literally have to go around them to pass them by.

I use a big marshmallow stabbed on the trigger and a shot of fish oil down the tube more than anything and have done pretty well with it.

If I am not able to set right on location for some reason or I am not sure if I am right on location I will add a bit of sweet smelling lure to the lip. I sometime do this even when right on location normally in colder temps.

I had that for a while but I started using dry Purina cat food when i am around farms and now I don't think I get too much of that.

Stick with it a little longer, a little more patience and you will start catching them in DP's. Most if not all the DP's on the market today are extremely effective. If you are going to trap during fur season, go ahead and prebait a couple locations and once you know they are hitting the baits set 4 to 6 at one location. You be surprised at how quickly once one is in the trap that the others will work the area more and get caught. I had a little beginners luck the first time I set 12 Featherlights I caught 11 coon the first night. Try some of the better known raccoon baits on the market, as well as the many home brews you can pick up here on trapperman.

I had some of the same issues when I first started using them Mama, this is what I learned so far.

Seems like for me I have to put the trap right into the trail where they almost trip over it verses on the side of it.

I think a lot of new trappers tend to put too much bait in the trap. I learned to just put enough in there to cover the space between the trigger and the bottom. I use the dry cat food as well sometimes I'll make a small trail of fish oil to the trap.

Once you figure out what system works for you they are very addicting lol

I am going to try and add some liquid smoke to the cat food this year and see how that works I seem to hear a lot of good things about that mixture.

I have tried DP's myself and haven't caught one yet either. But then the low prices came so I never tried again. Setting a baited set with a foot hold, no problem. I am going to keep trying. I keep sets close together so I don't miss the opportunity.

There are times and places where a good percentage, if not all coon, won't commit to a DP not matter what bait you shove down them. More so in the south as Shane says. When they work, they work well. When they don't, quit beating a dead horse and go to plan B.

Personally I won't use a DP anymore unless pets are a concern. Far better coon taking equipment available.

DP's work for me....BUT, I have a hard time setting one knowing that I will miss the mink, fox, rat, etc. that passes by. They work, and they work very well. Very fast to set and move on. I just don't like to limit myself to ONLY catching a coon at the set, when a foothold or even a body grip will pick up some extra fur. I use mine, but very sparingly. Now, next to my chicken coop is another story...

How are you setting them, what kind of trails, what kind of locations, time of year?

If you are catching them in coyote sets maybe you should look at those catches and see what the difference in with bait lure and location.

I use wet canned cat food and the used oil/sludge from the bottom of my VFW's fish fry cookers. Put a dollop under the trigger and a schmeer around the rim.

I set them near trails and along the edges of fields, fall and winter

Put them in the trails, not near the trails.

^ Put them in the Trail. Also Smear some Red Fox Gland on the Lip of the DP. Late season here it works great on big boars in the rut that arent interested in Bait.

For sure.

I went to the DP's for the reason if am close to a residential area or town where the chance of a incidental in pretty good. Cages in these areas still end up with to many skunks.

You'll catch skunks in DPs too... and possums, house cats, the occasional fox, mice, rats, and other things too besides coons. The majority of your catches should be coons though if you set the traps where the coons will encounter them and they are baited correctly.

Look up the posts by Ron Jones (Jonesie) on Tman and follow his lead. It really helps to use a taste bait over something they won’t eat. I use Ztrap’s DP cover to keep cats out. They may be smart animals but it’s been my experience they won’t pull a DP cover. Coon may not be smart but they have no trouble flipping those covers off for a meal.

DPs are a tool. Won’t catch muskrats, mink, most fox etc. they will catch grinners, skunks and coon. Sometimes coon do get trap shy. Then just plant the DP in a 4-inch wide hole and they’ll work it just like a dirt hole.

I use a lot of DPs. More so than your standard 1.5 or #11 foot traps or even body grips. I can bait at hone and with a metal stake can set and be gone in 30 seconds. Speed aside however, it’s just another tool to use and it’s a good one once you catch on to their use.

They have their place on our line for sure. We also have a couple farms where cages and DPs are all we are allowed to use in order to take coon but to avoid catching their dogs. They work great for us but are definitely not the end all-be all coon taker.
We use old golf balls as our mouse proof cap, those work great to keep mice out but every coon can still knock the ball off and get caught trying to reach in for the baits.
We make our own baits from cheap dry cat food and a few simple things added.
Set these traps right under their noses right in the trail. We paint ours white too. Not sure if that helps but seems to give them a lot of eye appeal.
Jim