How many of you have a particular method of setting the trap relative to the ground? Straight up or at an angle and why?

I set mine at an angle, probably 25 to 30 degrees off plumb. I set in with the dog/trigger down under the leaning tube to make it less likely to get tripped by a foot. Not sure it is necessary but I have always done it that way and have very few tripped empty traps.

I also know folks use brackets of various designs to mount them on other objects like trees. What works best for you?

This is the 1st time I have used them this past season. I set them straight up and down right dead center in the trail. Coon would have to run over the trap when they come down the trail. I baited them just to the trigger and a drop of coon lure on the lip.

I've never worried about angle or where the trigger is. I just want to be on location.

Same never worried about it as long as I'm on the trail

QBD,
Slight angle for me but have always placed with spring on high side. Like you, I have very, very few tripped, empty traps.

It doesn't matter in my opinion. The first thing a raccoon does is knock it over, then sits on his haunches and holds it like Winnie the Pooh holds a jar of honey, and then steals every scrap of bait out of it until it looks like he pressure washed it, then goes in one more time and pulls on the only thing left in there. The trigger.

X2Carl. That is why I pack my bait/ with a pice of white styrofoam under the trigger. Make that raccoon dig for his reward. There dexterity is incredible. Sensory in there front pads are amazing. A lot of good articles on the raccoon and how it feels for food in its foraging in streams. Amazing critters. Give them a puzzle they will stay until they are caught for sure. I use More DPs now then footholds

Straight up and run a marshmallow through the trigger

I place mine to where the coon can see inside. Fill it to the top and even leave a few peanuts on the deck. Peanuts mixed in grape koolaide is all I’m using now. And here’s a pic that shows no matter how tangled they get, a good trap will not let them out. This was cabled off to the tree he around and stretched to the top of the dam where they were walking. He only wrapped around two other trees plus the original where he ended up. When released the only marks on the paw were the originals.

I’ll tilt mine if there is a backing. I do make sure the dog is clear and the trigger is as well. I use a mixture of cheap seafood flavor dry cat food and really cheap dog food. Nothing sticky goes into my traps. I also use the yellow plastic caps that allow me to pre set and bait the traps so setting is fast. I usually smear some Lennon’s raccoon lure on the cap or on a tree nearby..

That's a guilty coon look.

Try tipping the trap so the trigger is horizontal.

Slight angle so the coon can see in. Dog on top. Cheap catfood with some liquid smoke sprinkled on and shook up in a jar. If I'm worried about getting a skunk near someones house or barn I use minature marshmellows or vanilla wafers. Moonshine lure on the lip of the trap.