Just outta curiosity. North, South, East, or West. If so what is your preference in flags. If opposed . What is the reasoning behind it. No right or wrong. Just a study.

Im not opposed to a flag if it is done properly. The way most people use them it will cause as many misses as catches. If your goal is to "get one in the area so your set can work" i'm opposed. If you place it down low, right behind the trap in the backing, enough guiding so any cat approaching it will get on the trap pan, then I think they are great.

I use them. Sometimes I use them in ways that would please Danny and other times not so much.

Bird wing up high over the set is my favorite flagging.

A 1in strip of old linen, with the ends dipped in some of Derrick"s cat stink-em call lure,
near the set, visible from travel lanes. High enough so the critters can't get it. Does it
work? I don't know, I have caught some cats.

I have been using CDs hung with fishing line or twine. Due to our winds, I put 2 back to back with a bolt through the middle for weight. Works for me.

No need for flagging if you are set exactly where the cat is gonna be anyways...

I like a turkey feather or a squirrel tail hung between the trap and backing. Push a stick in the ground and hang the flagging from that. The first bobcat I caught was at a dirthole in a creek bank at a crossing. The tail was hung so it looked like the rest of the squirrel was in the hole. Got that cat by both front feet. Got to make sure it's legal to use real animal parts though.

I saw my wifes big tom cat (neutered) stalking an aluminum pop can the wind was rocking back and forth on the ground yesterday. I dont think "what" is really that critical. I like to put a little lure on my flag. I want it it to flutter with the breeze as well as get that lure smell up in the air. I dont want it up very high because when that cat gets tired of stalking it, or figures out its not really alive, I want it looking at and smelling and right on top my set. I like to use flags in an area I know cats will use but I'm not exactly sure where. I figure a flag will attract one about 20-30 yards if everything is right.

They are a better people attractor than cat, a lot of times. Lost quite a few traps in my time, from people getting curious!

X2

If I use , I use tinfoil

All of the feedback is of great quality. I agree 100% that flagging is more of a problem in high traffic areas, where people frequent as much or more than your target animal. Situations such as this. I will not flag. Sometimes even dismiss the area all together.

[quote=danny clifton]I saw my wifes big tom cat (neutered) stalking an aluminum pop can the wind was rocking back and forth on the ground yesterday. I dont think "what" is really that critical. I like to put a little lure on my flag. I want it it to flutter with the breeze as well as get that lure smell up in the air. I dont want it up very high because when that cat gets tired of stalking it, or figures out its not really alive, I want it looking at and smelling and right on top my set. I like to use flags in an area I know cats will use but I'm not exactly sure where. I figure a flag will attract one about 20-30 yards if everything is right.

Danny, I was looking for something along these lines. House cat or Cougar. A cats two major strengths in locating prey. Is by sight. And, by sound. There sense of smell isn’t anything of Coyotes and Fox. So if the area is catty, and it’s in a people friendly area. I’ll set a flag about six to 10 ft from my actual set. With something more alluring than the flag that caught his attention. Playing on a cats Curiosity is key I’ve found. They lose interest quickly and normally don’t give it a second thought if poorly played. I’ve missed way more than I’ve caught in every way possible. Flags or no flags. But I really do appreciate all the feedback fellas. Thanks

Fluff showed me hot to take 2 pieces of wire attaching on to a limb and another to the flagging. The trick is to put 2 finger sized loops intersecting each other where your 2 wires meet. It wont let the flagging make a full spin and it gets you that good fluttering action Danny mentioned.

thats how i do it leftlane. i learned it from john grahm at a demo he did here in ks at our state convention quite a few years ago.

90% of the time I don’t use them. I think they spook cats sometimes. My catch rate went up when I stopped messing with fagging. In the time it takes you to hang a Christmas nativity scene, and slather on the stink bait I could of slipped in 3-4 blind sets that will take all cats coming down the trail.

Zero flagging used to catch above cats

I’ve had great luck with blue survey tape. (We’re not allowed to use animal parts) I’ve seen them literally go out of their way to check out the movement since it flaps around so much. If I’m confident that the cat will take the exact same route when he comes through I’m not bothered to use it, but in my country the cats will take different routes through the same areas, jumping on different rocks, taking one rim of rock lower or higher than the original route etc. If I’m worried about people I’ll use Christmas tinsel down low by the traps. Don’t think I’ve ever missed a cat because of it.

If I could keep them out of the sets without flagging I’d try it and see.