Using cage traps at a friend of the family’s place. Used apple chunks and very berry ADC bait and they managed to steal pieces. So then I cut the chunks way smaller and even wedged some in between the cage In the back so they’d spend more time in there and work harder. Again; gone. I checked the pan and it is firing. Door slams shut. Finally I told her to buy a cantaloupe. Cut a few good hunks with the rind attached. Cut a few notches and used some twine to tie them to the top rear inside the cage .
I’m starting to feel REALLY stupid here….
Unless something smaller is stealing the bait because She hasn’t seen the groundhogs for a few days
Any other advice is helpful

There's supplements u can take and CDs u can listen to that are suppose to help sharpen ur mind...???
If that doesn't work sometimes we just have to play the hand we're dealt.

Never found ghogs to be smart. I use lure

May NOT be a ground hog you are dealing with. If is stealing your bait and for sure is a ground hog take your hammer and pound a divot into the ground under the treadel so bait is under the trap. Have had coon that were robbers that fell for that.

160 over the hole problem solved but probably not able to use this as a solution

I like putting a stick through the cage side straight through a bit in front of the trigger they have to step over the stick and onto the trigger. caught box trap wise coon and others like that.

I hang the cantaloupe by a string over the pan in the trap. Only a woodchuck Houdini will take it and get out

First make sure the trap functions as it should and that the treadle or door not hanging up.
Next I would dig a shallow depression place bait in depression and set trap over it.
Setup camera them you'll know if you're being robbed or not.

Squirrels

Maybe Chipmunks are stealing your bait

Whoever gets caught is gonna feel my wrath I swear almighty

I feel bad for Chuckie.

Understandable.......

Most humbling experience trapping I've had was trapping pack rats. Your buddy Bob requested 5 gallons of them and I thought no problem. While I'm at it I'll just catch me 5 gallons too. Built 60 cubby boxes with snap traps inside and found about 2 miles of hedge rows with pack rat houses every 20 yds. Couldn't get those paranoid little sucker's to go in that box for nothing. Can catch coyotes right and left but an over grown mouse was handing it to me..... I did catch him his 5 gallons but I had to use other tactics

Oh Christ everybody feels bad for Chuckie. He’s got it MADE

Chase it down it's hole, wait with bat.

1) get an empty soda bottle, and wire it to the wall in the back of the trap. cut a window out of it and put the bait in there. Usually can't get the bait unless from inside. 2) dig a small hole UNDER the trap and use a small tin / pan , and put your bait in there. Make sure you put 2 rods through the sides ( up and down ) so they can't roll the trap. That should help.

Ashley you should have picked up some bait and lure when you were here. You would have had your Ghog that same day most likely.

she just wanted an excuse to come back.

She probably will wait outside when she picks up her next order.