Guys,,, I personally like 160s because I feel that 160s kill a coon faster.. just my opinion. And I really like them.
But this past season I really got to thinking,,, am I getting more refusals than I realize because of the smaller size compared to the 220??
I know some guys who use the 5x5 for raccoon in boxes because of limited regulations , do kill raccoon,, but they do get more refusals.

Any of you guys with cameras ever catch this on your camera???

When I use conibears for coon I reach for 160s. We’ve upped our fisher box traps to 160s and coon have no trouble sticking their heads into wooden box cubbies with this trap. Minnesota coon don’t seem to care about avoidance, in my humble opinion.

That being said, if you cut a hole in a plastic bucket cover that’s 6x6, a coon will stick its’ head in no matter what size the trap is. Curiosity and hunger will get the better of them at some point.

The guys using 5x5 conibears have smaller coon to deal with. A big coon in MN, IL, Wi, Mich, northern IA and at least half of NE will be 25+ pounds. A big coin in the states restricted to the 5x5 traps might be 12+ pounds. Size matters but a 160 whether in a bucket or on a stand will take bery big coon if they’re there to begin with.

Foxkidd
Just curious, do you think bucket cubbies work where dps get refusals?

I use 160's in boxes, BUT I have hardware cloth backing on the box so they can see through, I use a PAN, on the coni, I also RAISE the front of the box 3-4 inches from the ground. I feel adding these steps helps make the box more inviting, and on trails and dry creeks where I had boxes and DP set, never caught a coon in a D{ unless a coon was already DOA in the box.

I think that would depend on bait and time of year.in my personal experience.
a coon would absolutely go after a chunk of oily carp in the back of a box than they would over cat food in a DP in slightly colder temperatures..I’ve noticed that coon tend to avoid the sweeter stuff when it’s colder.
In early season it would be a toss up,,, because sweets and fish are equally attractive.

Mike , all my boxes are still deployed,, I leave them in the woods year round because I hate lugging them around,, but I’ll try to snap a picture tomorrow of how I have built mine.

Mine are elevated and have hardware screens in the back.

I'll stick with 220's.

Trail's or bucket's or both?

Both but I like 160’s also and also like them in paths

i believe if your making boxes and have no restrictions i think a coon wouldn't hesitate on a 220 as i have noticed smaller boxes with 160 usually will have reach in also found on a smaller box seems to work better if the front of the box is elevated a couple of inches off the ground i make all my new boxes 9x9x24 with slots 12" deep now all my boxes are universal for trap makes and can take 160 and 220

160 is ALWAYS the right answer.

Depends on the trail but for boxes I like 160s and some tight trails I use them there too.
Jim

I like the 160 magnum traps in my boxes...tight closure helps a lot.
John have you caught any fox or coyotes in your boxes yet? I know
the Minnesota guys catch bobcats in their boxes.

Both. No matter how good you think a 160 is for coons, a 220 is always better unless they are already squeezing through a 160 sized hole already. You'll get refusals even with 220's and 160s are even smaller.

Used to use 5-gallon buckets. Mant had lids. With the lids, the 160 worked well. Used 220 if I didn't have a lid.

I remember one small possum caught around its shoulders that was still alive, and I released it. Don't recall the trap. I expect it was a 160.

I think buckets with lids out caught those w/o lids. I trapped some in coastal marsh areas where otters were present. Caught at least one per year in a bucket. Bait was fresh fish, mostly tuna.

Bellisle 160.

there is another design of box that works well also for varied size conis and thats in a pyramid shape with opening 10" and narrows down too 4"approx 24" long the advantage too these also is if you pull your boxes they stack nicely

You will catch more coon with fewer refusals imo in 220s. You can catch some big coon in 160s but you put a 160 inside a 220 and look at the difference . I think your refusal percentage would be higher and some of it would be determined by time of year and how hungry that coon is with boxes or pails. In trails the 220 rules with no exceptions.