Hey guys,

I have a couple culverts right near home, but they're really close to peoples houses. I can legally set them, but don't want to catch a dog or cat.
Whats some good sets that I don't have a chance (or mostly don't, I know it's never 100%) of catching someones cat or dog?

I guess I could set a dog-proof inside the culvert...

You'd probably be okay if you made sure that the critter your targeting had to walk though/stand in deepish (4-6") of water to get to the trap, and also ensure that you have some sort of covering over the trap that would preclude bigger dogs from accessing it....like under a cut bank, even if you have to create the cut bank. Inside the culvert would probably be okay too. But to be clear, I'm saying you'd probably be okay, not that you'd definitely be okay.

I use to attach a rubber frog/crawfish to the pan set it fairly deep caught mink/coon never a dog or cat. Also used to impale a salted fish on a 220/160 trigger set the trap on a KB stabilizer in 3or4 inches of water with the trap set this way it was "non-directional", gave more than one otter a real surprise, to catch larger animals I would make the set so the trap would fire at the animal. Hope this makes sense!?

Yeah I think I kinda got it.

Blind sets-no bait-will lessen the chance of a nontarget considerably.
Plenty of opportunity for blind setting water critters.
Also steer away from lethal sets-you can always release a dog from a live hold snare or foothold.
If targeting beaver submerged sets are safest.

I'd second the blind setting as well as using cover to exclude most dogs and keep the traps in the water. Or use DPs on a drowner

Edit: colonies would also be a good choice or better yet get permission from the adjoining land owners and set farther from the road on private ground.

How big a culvert are you talking about, if it’s big enough to enter try setting inside, if the waters to deep build a platform against each wall so that the trap is a couple inches under the water, if it’s to small follow the advice above and also avoid bait and lure, a pocket set is a draw for furbearers and set under a overhanging bank not likely to be visited by pets