Just a random thought on a rainy day...what percentage of coon actually reach into a DP? 75 percent? 65? Just from watching coon check out various lure and bait on trail cams, I'm going with 50 percent. But that's just a guess, what do you think?

With the right bait maybe 20%.

I think I had the best results when I used a good bait and made sure there was a little on the ground next to the DP. So, coon figured the main enchilada was inside the trap.

I think it differs if you are pass shooting or have setup the DP's as a destination by pre-baiting.

50% with using a Trailing scent

Cage traps between DPs for Farmers

I wish someone, in a HIGH coon population area, would put trail cameras on DP’s on smoking coon trails. And more than just 1.
I think it will shock you, especially in the nights after a catch.

So why use a tool that has, at best, fifty percent efficiency?
What I'm seeing currently on my cam is if I put a stick with lure next to the trail, every coon at least slows down, so a foothold has to catch a high percentage of the time.

Cause they are easy to use.

I have started shifting back to footholds and BG's. I still use DP's, cause they are fast and easy. And several landowners will let me on their land if I use them, instead of footholds.

I’ll never know for sure if coon pass by the DPs, but I generally put in more than one set at good locations and only a few of those will be DPs. If I put in two sets only one will be DP, if three sets still only one DP.
Other sets I put in will be blind sets with either footholds or 220s, and then third set maybe a coon dirthole set with foothold baited with fish and a good coon lure.
I start setting here December first to get maximum quality coon for harvest attempts.
Even the first several checks I am frequently glad I put in the other non-DP sets. The variety of sets and baits seems to be beneficial for my little line. For several seasons years ago I tried to run just DPs and my catch wasn’t great and sign showed I was missing coon.
Later in winter I honestly get very few coon in DPs and much more in those other sets, especially productive are the blind sets.

Jim

I do better with foot traps. The upside to dps is that you can bait and set them ahead of time, put them in fast. So if your going to long line coons, set out several lines ahead of time with foot traps, just need to bait and set them. One line goes cold you move to the next. Pull everything after your done. Or use dps and set out a new line after pulling the old one. If your just trapping stead of making money what difference does it make? If your protecting ground nesting birds foot traps are your go to. trapping coons by your house and want to avoid dogs dps are thing.

A percentage do pass, but using 2 different baits 1 sweet and 1 fishy seems to cut the passer by percentage down. Had 2 dp’s at a location last season , no pre bait, caught 13 coons, 4 grinners and a skunk. Looked like bomb went off by the time I moved on.

I understand using them to get access, or around dogs, but there's nothing hard about putting a foot trap in a trail.
To me, it's kinda like using 6 lb test to catch pike or something. Sure, I might get some in, but after that first one breaks off, I'm buying heavier line.

Even way back when I mostly ran mostly dirtholes for coon with footholds, I’d miss coon going by. Starting adding blind trail sets with 220s close by the original dirtholes and was often glad I did.
Variety of baits is important but so is variety of sets and tools.
The years I tried to run just DPs it was frustrating to see fresh tracks and empty traps still loaded with bait.
Even right under their nose. That happened when I ran just dirtholes too.
Coon might eat anything, but they are not always going to reach into a tube or hole for it, my experience anyway.
Jim

PA, you think coons don't get by traps set in trails? I do know it'll catch coons. It'll also get tripped, catch many non-targets, rabbits, squirrels, etc... You're not catching any coons in those traps. Get a good bait and set one of each in multiple trails, set the DP closer to the denning area instead of the feeding area they are going to, see for yourself, you may be surprised.

DP's are a great tool. Different times of the year, different climates, populations, food availability, etc... they work better than other times. If you're only setting them in the fall, you're missing A LOT of coons during warmer periods in the winter and during the rut. They are easy to catch in DP's. Your bait is way important than people think too. "You can catch coons on anything." Yep, you can but a good bait will catch a heck of a lot more coons.

footholds.

I understand using them to get access, or around dogs, but there's nothing hard about putting a foot trap in a trail.
To me, it's kinda like using 6 lb test to catch pike or something. Sure, I might get some in, but after that first one breaks off, I'm buying heavier line.


When I started using a combination of both DP’s and footholds my coon catch doubled. I feel it is worth investing in and using both.

That's why you set more traps, but yeah I don't always do what I say to do. That's why I'm watching them on camera, to learn what is more efficient. When I just catch them for fur, I would just blind set trails, but getting paid for them in one area made me start adding lure so they mill around more.

The one difference with dirt holes is, you are going to get some that were not going to fish out the hole, just sniff it. When you have six coon working the bait, ( again according to trail camera footage) they go nuts. Just one or two, they are much more casual and may not eat it at all. We are going to have a ridiculous amount of coon food early season, as usual, so yeah I'm working on developing better baits. All a hobby for me, not going like a 20 year old on steroids, lol.
Anyway that's what this thread is for, learning.

DP's at the base of a den tree are a great set for me in the winter thaws. Get em out the night before the warm up starts with a smelly bait in them. Some times I dribble a trail down the tree to the trap.

Before I had DPs I set most good coon trails with at least 2 traps. 11/2 double jawed coil springs. When I first got the half dozen grizz DPs. I was using them where had most chance for none target catch or conflict.
After I increased my inventory. I started setting them just to the side of the where good trails came on to field. I still set my 2 coils in the trail. I never had a camera to see if the coon were coming or going on the trail. So no idea what the DP miss rate might have been. I do know that there were plenty of times when I would have two coon in the trail and none in baited DPs. Sometimes one in the DP nothing in the trail on occasion one in each.
I think it depends on how much they had to eat before they get to your trap. Most of mine were on edges corn fields. So like anything location probably has lots to do with it.
I mainly use DPs where I might have used dirt hole. Which I seldom did for coon unless just no visible trails

Mac

"Never Forget Which Way Is Up!"

ok,
% of coon that bypass a foot hold set? whether its a pocket set in the water, smear and go, crawfish/ punch hole, or even dirt hole ?

This is why blind sets in trails rock for coons.