I am going to start trapping with about 5-6 of my grandchildren. I have no experience in trapping. However, from what I read here and watched on Youtube, I think I will be able to help them until they catch up with me with experience as their teacher. I have spent many days and nights in the woods and marshes here fishing, duck hunting, rabbit hunting, bowfishing and whatever other outdoor activities we could find to do down here in SE Louisiana.

The ground here never freezes, so I will be able to get by with longspring traps for the entire trapping season. We will be lucky to catch nutria that will max out in the 15-20 pound range, coons I would guess would max out around the same weight. Of course muskrats and smaller would not be an issue if I had traps suitable for nutria and coons. I've never seen a beaver in our marshes.

I see guys snaring rabbits on YouTube but never using foothold traps for them. Why? I don't want to neck-snare rabbits because the meat would have spoiled by the time we check our snares. We snare hogs and have to be extra careful to not leave the snares out too long. I am now setting up to foot snare our hogs with treadle triggered snares fired with rubber tubing.

What size traps would suit my nutria and coon trapping needs the best?

Larger trap sizes (>1.5) are rough on muskrats, may break their leg bones and allow wring-offs.

I think that's also why trappers prefer to snare rabbits.

I can't help you at all with nutria, and have very limited experience with coons. Many years ago I used to catch and usually hold them in #2 Victor coilsprings set for fox. There are better canine traps now.

Jim

I have some really nice box traps. Rabbits WILL NOT go in them unless it is one of the rare days around freezing temps.

I'd go with the Duke 1.5 with a couple feet of chain. If they're set up to drown rats their won't be any trouble with ring offs and plenty for coon. They're inexpensive so if the trapping peters out you won't be out a lot of money. I have no idea about nutria but i've caught incidental beaver in otter in 1.5s. Sounds like a lot of fun. enjoy!!!!!

I disagree with James on the 1.5 as long as rats can get to deep water it’s a good trap for them as well as coon, don’t have any nutria here so can’t comment on them

Most people snare rabbits because they have what must be the most brittle bones in the animal kingdom and even a small trap will break them

Lil Grizz, Z trap or Duke DPs for coons
1.5 Duke Coil springs for coons, nutria, muskrats (I prefer 1.5 over 1 as its more versatile - just drown your rats)
220-330 Duke Conibear for nutria and otter - you have otter even if you dont know itld


I would start with some DPs and 1.5 CS.

I like Sleepy Creek. You pick the size. I know that they're no longer in production but sometimes you can get a price break if the dealer is trying to get them out the door.

victor 1'1\2 all you need.

used

I'm sorry


Pre-owned

Yep, 1.5's of your brand liking. Set them as said above, as drowning sets and you'll have no problems what so ever. Their widely used here for rats, mink and coon.

Make sure you check the regs for our state. Rabbits are not a fur barer in the state and cannot be purposely trapped. Just to keep yourself out of trouble. As far as the traps I use are 1.5 to #2 either coil or long. My preferred trap is the #2 Bridger 2 Coil. Plenty of weight to the trap, well built and will hold anything in the marsh. I add 2.5 to 3 foot of 2/0 chain to all of my traps.

One of the critters I'm most wanting to keep alive to eat is the muskrats. I am told they are actually better than rabbit. So, drowners and body-grip traps are not an option yet.

Looks like I gotta start looking for some 1.5s or #2s.

I’ve caught a lot of rats in live traps . Best bait are Apple slices or a skinned rat . Caught coons in these sets also cover the bottom of the trap with dirt and leaves.

I like the Bridger 1.65 best for your situation, they are a stout little trap and will do everything that you need. I have no idea on the jaw spread needed for nutria, but I’ve caught and held a few beaver in pocket sets back when I was a kid.

Not recommended unless you cage trap them.

One of my favorite traps with #2 music wire springs.

No, you don't disagree with me. I think the 1.5 is a fine muskrat trap, rigged to drown. I said to avoid traps larger than 1.5.

Jim

Here is what I got off a site some time ago that will help

Nutria

t #1 coil-spring foothold trap
t #1½ coil-spring foothold trap
t #11 longspring foothold trap
t #220 bodygrip trap

sets
t Trail
t Float
t Den or culvert

bait
t Muskmelon or cantaloupe
rind
t Bananas
t Sweet potatoes
t Carrots

Muskrat

t #1 or #1½ longspring
foothold trap
t Cage trap
t #110 or #120 bodygrip trap
set
t Bank den
t Blind
t Cubby
t Feed bed
t Float
t Runway
t Slide
t Spring run

bait
t Apples
t Carrots
t Corn
t Turnips
t Orange peels

Raccoon

t #1½ foothold trap
t Enclosed foothold trap
t #120 or #220 bodygrip trap
t Cage trap

set
t Blind
t Cubby
t Drain tile
t Overhanging bank
t Pocket

bait
t Fish chunks
t Muskrat meat
t Fruit

Northern River Otter

t #2 coil-spring foothold trap
t #11 longspring foothold trap
t #220 bodygrip trap
t #330 bodygrip trap

set
t Channel
t Trail
t Beaver den
t Latrine site
t Pocket

bait
t Fish
t Bird eggs
t Fish oil
t Anise
t Honey
t Hard candy

Mink

t #1 or #1½ longspring
foothold trap
t Cage trap
t #110 or #220 bodygrip trap

set
t Blind
t Cubby
t Obstruction
t Pocket
t Spring run
t Waterline den

bait
t Fish chunks
t Fresh muskrat meat
t Eggs
t Mink or muskrat scent
t Scat
t Urine
t Fish oil