Coon cage trap shy

Hi fellow trappers. My 1st time on here. Just Got IL nuisance wildlife control operator permit. . I have a raccoon that takes bait (on camera) in front of trap but will not enter. Have three different cage traps. Pulled them after three nights and put out DP's we'll see. Neighbor next to this business caught one and it escaped. Can not use snares or conibears. Foot traps are legal w lamination. Any suggestions? We are on edge of city limits.

Cover the cage or stop feeding the coon before it enters, make it commit.



Something suspended in the rear of the cage with lure or bait in it. I use bait baskets and pvc. Eye appeal will get their curiosity going. Hope it helps

Remember those old bags that tobacco use to come in. I like to put grape jelly in one and hang in the back of the trap with a big paper clip. I have had it at times I had to put soil in the bottom of the trap so the coon does not feel the wire. People think that the animals will run across the lawn and jump in the trap. Good luck. JMO

On occasion they will, seen it on cam a number of times. I believe coons see very well at night and they know the areas they travel better than most think, but it doesn't take a brain surgeon to trap them.

I hang my baits in a 2" long pc of cut off bottom of a water or juice bottle
and dab SMALL amts of the bait, trailing into the trap with the MOTHER LODE up in the cup.

you can also use lids from cans of spray paint, ask an auto body shop for some

Put bait in small tuna/cat food size can and dig a hole for it UNDER the trap, near to the pan's edge, this will make it work for it and trip the trap. Make sure to double stake the cage, so it can't be rolled over.

Lots of good tips, but the thing we often forget, is when you have a 'coon that is cage shy, they won't go in, regardless.
I've used over sized traps, (with mirrors) and about every trick possible, even live bait (goldfish).

A DP, if legal, will end that nonsense, but even then, I place a pipe (steel) painted white, at a 45 degree angle for about 2-3 nights, filled with dry (salmon) cat food.
Then after I've trained the 'coon to 'steal the bait', I replace it with a (white) DP, again, slightly tilted.
If I could ( re-learn to ) post on here, I could show how easy that works.

LT G

Your right LT Grey. Some good points to try here. DPs are legal. Snares are not legal in IL unless 50% in water. Connibears not allowed out of season unless inside of foundation or up in tree 10' and 12" inside box. Thanks, I'll take all this into consideration.

Bury a foothold trap where the racoon is when it is eating the food.

Careful, the anti neighbor with a video of that raccoon in a foothold in the middle of a catch circle can bring a lot of grief. It may be legal, but looks really bad.

Good advice. Always be cognizant not just of neigbors but of passerby's that may be able to see sets from the road.