I'm experimenting alot with dps this season. I was baiting them a different way than I have before. I use push/pulls. I took sheep wool with a lure on it. I use cavens moonshine, dobbins coon candy and lennons. The lured sheep wool I stuck behind the trigger and the bait either dog food or minnow/crawfish mix on top. I guess my way of thing is with cushion under the trigger it can't jam up during a freeze as often does for me. And if they dont get caught on the push they would still want the wool behind the trigger. However, it hasn't been working. Alot of times they just manage to get bait out and leave the wool. Anyone use this baiting method on there dps? Should I not have the call lure in the trap?

A lot of "lures" do not taste good to animals. They smell good. I don't know the case on those but I have taken a lot of coons on moonshine. You are giving free food and they have no reason to keep grabbing. Believe me, I tried the "use only lured sheep's wool cause its cheap and easy" approach and caught nothing.

Ensure the sheeps wool isn't freezing.

I've never used sheeps wool in a DP and have had good success with dp's.

Lures should not be freezing. Ditch the wool, put bait on or below trigger, and move on.

Only put enough bait to barely cover the trigger, unless you’re trying to fatten them up first.

Stick a small marshmallow on that trigger. You'll get 'em.

Alright. I prebaited a dozen. When it gets freezing, the bait, whatever I'm using turns into a clump. I've even seen it to where they can't fire cause of it. I always take alot of coon in them. They are a great trap. Just trying to do things to keep operating at full capacity and minimal effort. I'm also using deadwood for my stabilizer. Instead of letting the stabilizer freeze in ground and not be able to be pulled out once caught. With prices the way they are, why not try to have fun with it?

Instead of wool, try stiff polyfil beneath the trigger. Then put a few drops or small dollop of fox gland lure on the polyfil.

However, coon aren’t interested in bait this time of year. They have lovin on their minds. So unless they trip over your trap, they may show NO interest in food of any kind.

I think the gland lure is a must this time of year ! But instead of Polly or wool I use a big flavored marshmallow under the trigger, that thing ain’t coming out without firing the trap. As far as bait canned cat food works great but it will freeze and will also get rancid. I’ve went to using all dry cat and dog food with fish oil and other ingredients but these will need to be changed out if it gets rain without a cap .
Hope this helps
Don

Set a golf ball on top.

Lol , I don’t work weekends !

I like the idea of poly fill with gland beneath trigger. Gonna give that a try. Thank yoy

Can't see why polyfill would be better then sheep's wool. Un cleaned sheep's wool has a great odor and will absorb lure. And If you rough up your trigger a bit sheep's wool will hang up on It.

Dps haven’t been working this time of year for me. However pipe sets in the bank with beaver lure (back breaker) and mink urine have been working well.

Well I prebaited 10 that are going to a new location. I put fish on the bottom. Than I put sheep's wool with a dab of molasses on some and fox gland wool on others. And pushed behind trigger on top of fish. And nothing on top. I figure even if fish clumps up during a freeze it will still have a odor. And sheep's wool will have odor as well. But will still be operational and coon will have to work set.

Good idea w/ the mollases.

Stiff polyfil usually snags the trigger as it’s pulled out. I tried wool after getting that recommendation from Mark Steck. It didn’t work nearly as well as real stiff polyfil/fiberfill. Ron Jones said his wife found some at fabric stores. Ron said it’s the sort of thing used in car seats. He’s right. The stuff is very stiff compared to what I used to use under trap pans.

Big marshmallows should work too. My biggest problem is that I eat 2 for 1. It’s how I keep my chubby figure!

Ive had good luck baiting with sardines in oil. Ive heard of a local guy who baits with little debbie oatmeal creme pies. He swears by them.

How do you or he keep the ants out?

Go to the dollar store and buy dried cat food. Fill it to the trigger. Although I do not use lure with my DP's as the coons are already walking by where I set.

I also smear peanut butter on the trigger when they get use to my cat food in the DP's.

I agree with MNCedar lure will bring them in, but probably doesn't taste good.