Never trapped cats. Will be down in southern Illinois trapping. Any major tips or tricks to improve chances of success. I have dry sifted dirt put up. What size trap is your guys go to? Any lure of bait I can’t live without?

Thanks in advance!

Jamison’s Sierra Mist is on nearly all of my cat specific sets. Guide them heavily, allow them to walk through with only one place to step. Personally, if I’m making a cat specific set where they aren’t walking through it I put the trap way back. I also like double dirt holes for cats

If you are trying strictly for cats, you might try an exposed trap. Weirdly enough, it doesn't seem to bother cats that much, and keeps other critters away (usually, there's always a possum). Make sure to bed the trap well, just don't throw any dirt over the top of it. If you really want to go the extra mile, You can fashion a piece of shingle into a great pan cover. I will have to PM you some picks later, I'm not at the fur shed right now.

I also like to have something in the air above my sets, like a CD, tinsel, or Turkey Feather, on a piece of clear fishing line. At the end of the day, a cat is a cat. It's going to like anything shiny just like a house cat. Again, I also feel that this helps to keep other critters out of my cat sets.

As far as trap size, I feel like the MB-550 can't be beat. Lots of other good traps out there, but they're just what I use and they catch and hold well.

The biggest tip is to get some steel in the ground. The more sets you have working the better chance you have with connecting with that big Tom. Get out there, do some scouting, SET ON SIGN (cannot stress that enough for trapping anything), and have some fun!

General rule where I trap. If there are rabbits there are cats. Those are the locations I look for.

I use cubbies a lot to reduce the yotes from hauling off my baits a game cam also keeps them away from the sets. Thick creeks are my favorite places to trap them.

Use a visual attractant, feather hanging or a something shiney above the set. Coyotes don't like that but cats do.
Cubby set with feathers, caught a nice cat here but feathers should be a little lower.

Thanks guys so far.

The property has lots of game cam pictures of cats. Thanks for suggestions on type of sets and lure bait selections. Never trapped cats before.

Can’t use exposed feathers in Illinois either. Bummer.

I’m excited to learn.

Any specific location for flagging in relations to where the trip is set?

If you are trying strictly for cats, you might try an exposed trap. Weirdly enough, it doesn't seem to bother cats that much, and keeps other critters away (usually, there's always a possum). Make sure to bed the trap well, just don't throw any dirt over the top of it. If you really want to go the extra mile, You can fashion a piece of shingle into a great pan cover. I will have to PM you some picks later, I'm not at the fur shed right now.

I also like to have something in the air above my sets, like a CD, tinsel, or Turkey Feather, on a piece of clear fishing line. At the end of the day, a cat is a cat. It's going to like anything shiny just like a house cat. Again, I also feel that this helps to keep other critters out of my cat sets.

As far as trap size, I feel like the MB-550 can't be beat. Lots of other good traps out there, but they're just what I use and they catch and hold well.

The biggest tip is to get some steel in the ground. The more sets you have working the better chance you have with connecting with that big Tom. Get out there, do some scouting, SET ON SIGN (cannot stress that enough for trapping anything), and have some fun!


I am interested in this shingle deal. Please pm me if have time or I can give you my cell if easier


Thanks!

Old CD, plastic ribbons, garland off a Christmas tree just need some eye appeal to get their attention.

Make the gaudiest dirt hole set you can make and you’ll have a cat.
Find nothing but coyote tracks and make your best coyote set and you’ll have a cat.
Heck, use a cage with sardines for bait set for coons and you’ll have a cat.

In all seriousness, if you can find scat just set a trap right beside it. Or wherever there’s a good population of prey (rabbits, rats, turkeys, etc) set there.

I agree with the Sierra Mist comment as well. It may just be a Georgia thing, but if I could only have one lure for everything, that would be it. I even get calls from buddies that run out because they know I always have some set back as reserves, lol.

Cat cream for bait and Dobbins Purrfect for lure. I also like a visual attractor for cats. I use a #2 with 3 swivel points. Eric

… another purrrrfect user here … like it in combination with a skunky call lure

Puurfect is the cat's meow, and Jamesons mist

Enough good advice here to catch some. Let us know how you do.

Funny lookin miller lite can yer holdin. Looks like it’s been rolling around in the toolbox for a couple weeks. Prolly skunky

…. I like to lay down on my belly unclothed in a briar patch known to hold a cottontail population

… rub a little dobbins Purrrfect on my crack and wait patient and still

… in short order a wildcat usually shows up

… right as it goes in for a sniff … I’ll jump up with a set safety off 330 and bust it right over the head and yell tagged out you son of a …,. !!!!!