Question for the cat trappers here. From your opinions, is there any benefit to a covered trap vs an exposed set, when it comes to catching cats only? I would like to hear if one set apart from the other may have better odds, or if it really matters. Thanks.

Apologies if this has been brought up, the search function don’t seem to like me.

I don’t think it matters with cats as long as they have a nice flat place to put their foot. I’ve blended in trail sets, I’ve left some exposed with a flat piece of shingle on the pan, etc.
Dirthole sets I usually blend in, but sometimes I get coyotes or coon in those and so I make them for anything that comes along. Trail sets though they aren’t really focused on anything like a dirt hole or bait just walking so give them a place to step.
I use waxed dirt so the blended trap doesn’t freeze down. With exposed trap those may not freeze down too but I usually run waxed dirt under them anyway. We get freeze thaw here and heavy frosts. Can really turn an untreated set into a frozen rock quickly and traps won’t fire properly.
Jim

The answer to your question is more in understanding cats and their behavioral traits. They are quite precise and selective as to where they place their feet. Understanding that trait will get you more cats over time.

Leaving an exposed trap pan with a blocked and well guided trap sure helps to invite and ensure a good catch on any passing cat. When I trail set woodsy semi open/pasture country in somewhat more open terrain, I use just 2 stepping sticks ( one stepping stick tight to each jaw as a step over sight visual ) and 2 side trail / trap guide sticks poked into the ground at an angle to keep the cats centered to the trail and prevent them from going around the set. I catch anything coming down that trail.

I gang set several traps on a suspected good activity travel way trail. In more dense and tight cover, brush or rocky terrain,I block / guide in the sets from both directions of travel more aggressively.

Watched the guys from AZ do some sets at Coyote Days and they put the trap on a smallish mound, cats like to step up they said. Gonna try that with a few sets this year.