Just getting started trapping coons and so far limited success. I've got a dozen dog proofs and have over 5000 acres to trap. The land is 70% pine plantation 30% hardwood and fairly rugged. Pretty much if it is too steep to log or in the bottoms it is hardwood.

Not knowing much I just randomly set traps along creeks in the hardwoods. Baiting with cat food and marshmellows one set and sardines the other. Only have caught two so far and feel like it should be higher catch rates. Apparently the saying of just set dog proofs out and you'll catch coons isn't exactly true, or at least in my case isn't.

I have a ton of questions but not sure where to start. I have come to the conclusion I need to be setting on sign more, but I don't see much out there. It is rocky so not many mud flats to see tracks and where I do find mud I don't see any. Anything else to look for? Do they prefer the hardwoods along the creeks or should I be looking elsewhere? The nights I did set were pretty cold, upper 20s. Does temperature play into it? Any other info you can pass along on where and how to target coons is appreciated!

If there are any deer feeders around set them up I know how you feel about the rocks they are a pain to deal with. I'm not great at trapping but I'd try to find den trees and set them up with a couple of traps. Lots of better trappers on her but this is what I would do.

There has to be raccoons in order to catch them. Set on fresh tracks.

Late winter is tuff going for DP’s in my experience. Still a great trap but for me seems like they hit them harder in the fall. Don’t get discouraged. Put them right in the middle of the trail, and use a bit of trailing scent. Buy a few 450’s or comparable traps and try a few dirt holes along the trails. Good luck

Look for droppings and trails and put the trap right in the trail. Set two per spot - one facing up the trail and one down the trail. Put them about 8' apart. If you don't get a coon in 3 nights move on. 500 acres is a big piece of ground for 12 traps. Divide it into sections and trap one section at a time. You should see tracks in mud. Set on the tracks. Find the area with the biggest trees and look for trails from big trees- they can be dens. Ask a lot of questions.

I would put dogproofs under the biggest trees in the woods, be it pine or hardwood. Even if they are not den trees they seem to get visited often. Culvert on the property is another location. Also huge downed trees, they climb on and defficate. Food source? Den location. Set in between

On a property I've set about a dozen dps on I got same problem. Not nearly as productive as Initially thought. Alot of sign. They are there. But not alot of Interest.

I had good luck with Jack mackerel inside and something like sugar tree of plum loco on the lip. Also coyote gland during breeding time.

Thanks for the replies. I have focused on certain areas, mainly the areas with hardwoods as I mentioned. I guess they could be in the pines but during the winter there isn't much food in those areas.

Last time out I thought I had some den trees identified. Hollow at the bottom with an opening at the base. Series of 2-3 holes up the tree that were of decent size. Is that what to look for? Any other habitat features to focus on to find coon sign?

You know I made a set if u could call it that. And I'm sure alot of other people have done it too and it takes coon like crazy. All you have to do is get a good sized log put in shallow water. Right by culvert works exceptionally good. And put 2- 1.5s on each side same stake. With some fish oil rubbed into log. Sometimes I put a little gusto on top. Imo it works better than any dp. And probably just as simple. I don't do on dry land cause I have to spare some of my waxed dirt. But alot of times I even have doubles. I guess it's alot like a smear set.

Have you thought maybe trying a coon bucket ?? I’ve done that before and caught several that way