What part of illinois?

Cheap traps! I have had traps messed with before trapping public land.

Just because it's against the law doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Trapped on a farm years back and found my empty trap in a catch circle. Could clearly tell it was a red fox with hair in the trap and a pool of blood along side. Latter I seen the farmer combining beans so stopped by to talk to him about it. Crawled up onto the combine and while talking to him, noticed a pool of blood on the floor by his feet. When I asked him about it he said it was hydrolic fluid. Pulled all my traps and never went back.

That's interesting. Presumably you were trapping there with the farmer's permission and blessing, so why do you suppose he did that? Did he just want the fox for himself?

It happened before the catch. Deer hunters shooting dps get expensive quick. Not allowed to dry land trap on public land where I trap. Has to be dps or in the water.

Some rules state you have to use the Egg trap so make sure read the rules. You can use cages for coyotes and cats if you have a cat tag you can keep one. Cages work well for racoons. I would check very early and leave very early. Use a disguise - meaning look like you're out for a hike if you have to be there during the day. Don't draw attention. The more patternable you are the more people will want to know what you are doing. I know a guy who carries a bucket. The top 1'' of the bucket is a lid that has a bunch of garbage glued to it so it looks like he's picking up trash. He carries his catch under the lid. I would not wear camo or anything that looks like you might be a hunter. The more you look like a city person who is out to experience nature the better off you are.

I'm gathering that you may not be from Illinois? Maybe a western state? We don't have many ranches here and no ranch is on public ground. There is no open range or rented range as far as I know in Illinois so figure you are going to be right in people's back yards and they will all be watching you catch their furry babies. I would stick to cages and keep very quiet. We only have one public place here and it is covered in dogs and people walking them. Figure every kind of dog will be there from time to time and kids and people riding horses and bow hunters, squirrel hunters, rabbit hunters. Are you getting the picture? You'll do better on private ground if you can get permission.

There are some guys on here in Northern IL who might be a help finding places? Not sure if you are around Rockford but on of my friends died who trapped close to there and he had a lot of the land sewed up. - just saying

Part of bring a good trapper is how much effort u will.put into getting permission on good property

The OP asked about trapping on public land IMO permission not needed for trapping on public lands as the trapper is in essence a land owner of said PUBLIC land