Here we often have problems with cage-shy coons, most likely because other 'neighbors' have cage trapped these raccoons and illegally relocated them to other neighborhoods. A WCO can sometimes get a special permit to use rubber jawed foothold traps to catch raccoons. I recently got a permit because I had (on video) coons avoiding cages as if they were landmines. I have some rubber jawed traps in Duke 1 1/2 and MB 650. Which trap would you use? What set would you use and how far out from the bait or dirthole with bait would you place the trap pan? How heavily can you 'fence' coons that are cage shy? My first dirt-hole effort failed as both baits (marshmallows and eggs) were stolen. At least I have the coons coming to bait and working the sets now. How sensitive are coons to odor on buried foothold traps?

I had the same problem . Landowner messed with these coon for months . I set some DP 'S and that took care of the problem . I myself wouldn't use footholds but if i did I wouldn't use the 650 .

Most people trying to trap racoons are using live traps. Why not try a dog prof trap. JMO

I’ve dealt with some same problems here too ! DP traps are illegal here as only rubber padded with permit is allowed
Try the trash can set !
Actually a 5 gallon bucket works a couple inches from the top drill 1” holes all the way around it then drill a small hole 1/8” in the center of the bottom of the bucket and run a wire down through it so when you have the bucket upside down you can hang a can of clams or oysters from it and sprinkle some on the ground and put bucket over loose bait . Put a concrete block on the bucket and set 3 traps around bucket and earth anchor them . I prefer 1.5 coil springs for coons it sounds weird but it works

My theory. Coons go into a trap only once.
Conibear box or cage ... only once

Just curious . Why do they allow footholds but not DP'S ?

I seen them cage and dp shy. That's when I blind set with 1.5 or #2. or I use snare. If it's in a grassy trail u can hide a body trap most of the time. Hang a snare on each side of body trap. U will pick them off in one of them.

It’s Washington state !!! Rubber padded footholds with permit only ! Even beaver traps on a permit have to be a rubber padded on a drown rod

Trap shy and trap smart are 2 different conditions. Trap smart animals can most time be caught by changing the presentation of the trap. one trick I do with trap smart is turning the trap around 180 degrees and a few other presentation changes and the animal will most times be caught. a trap shy animal will not go into the cage no matter what is done. I am dealing with a trap shy squirrel right now. f I was allowed to use killer traps she would be taken care of but I can't I can only use cage traps so I have to keep playing or use negative pressure to make her leave. No young or I would use them to my advantage. the point is knowing what you have as far as trap smart or shy will dictate the method and tool to use next. For me, a DP trap would be used instead of a foot trap in the yard or close to people jobs. And the DP trap would be set out of sight mindset (my advanced system methods) so people do not see the trap in plain sight.

Make a live trap out of a 45 gallon barrel. It will be a different presentation

Because our law says a foothold trap must have 1/8 of rubber on both jaws and you can't get rubber on both sides of a DP. Or can you?

Thanks! I will try this.