Made 2 coon buckets for 220's this fall to try. I much prefer a sleeping coon to a live one when I arrive. This happens to be a round pail, I do have a square one also. Cut a square in the bottom and covered with 1/4" hardware cloth to let light and air through. Put eyebolts on the sides to stake down, and one in the top in front of the screen to have corn cob soaked in whatever favorite flavor (persimmon on this one). I had a DP here also because I had two yote sets and didn't want coons in them. The bucket had a DP a few feet away with cat food. Set has been in place for a few days, but yesterday was 35° and rain all day. Light freeze last night. And the results: not weighed, but I would say close to 20lbs or a little better.


Last farm to check, MB550 at a pipe dream set. Anyone ever seen this before?

Caught a couple skunks that way. I think they like to dig in the loose dirtx,, trap bed.

nice catches. yes, i've caught skunks that way before in footholds too.

You can wear coons out with 220's in buckets I prefer the square ones myself. I've just gotten away from 220's so I don't have to deal with any headaches that might come with them. Very effective however. If you elevate them a little bit bobcats will stick their heads right in them too.

Wade,
If they ever open the bobcat season here in the county I live in I will remember that. Thanks

Maybe the trap uncovering problem I've had on this farm will slow down. I previously caught another small skunk in the tire set I tried on this same farm.

WTG!......if you'd cut the sidewall (floor) at least 1/2 way to the back wall, maybe 8" wide, then the critter walks on the natural grass floor and often get less refusals.
Like Wade, to avoid problems, I use square buckets WITH A ROOF attached, to dog proof them.
I also, run a stake thru to stabilize bucket so when critter messes with it they can't booger it up, and the stake secures the trap too, thru the loop at chains end.

I have a t-stake each side of the bucket thru eye bolts keeping it secure. Additional stake if needed for the chain. I picked up a really nice coon in a square bucket yesterday. After the season I'll modify the round bucket by cutting out part of the bottom to expose ground....good idea.

Not directed specifically at you 3togo but, Can anyone explain how a ROOF or an overhang on a cubbie set makes a set dog proof? We have a regulation in MN that requires a 7 inch overhang on our cubbies. I use them because it's required. But I also won't set them anywhere I would expect to encounter a dog. I know MN just copied this regulation from some other state, but wonder how did this modification ever become a "dog proof" solution? Do dogs have some ingrained fear of roofs? or something that mysteriously locks up their joints when they encounter an overhang so they can no longer bend down? Just wondering.

101---a roof prevents a dog from walking up and sticking his head into the bucket...…...a 10-12" overhang, makes a dog get down and belly crawl into the bucket, which they CAN do, but super rare. My cousin runs coon/cat hounds on our creek and has seen first hand that his dogs sniff around the bucket a bit then keep going...and make no effort to enter.

Try blue buckets next.time. They outproduce all other sets.

A few holes drilled in the bottom,a hole top and bottom for 1T stake that will serve to anchor bucket and the trap. Prop up the front 2 or 3 inches and you are good to go. Buy Red O'Hearn's Coon trapping The Untold Story dvd and save yourself time and money.