How To Use Live Traps

There are several styles of live traps available, including single-door traps, rear-door traps and collapsible two-door traps.

Single-door traps
There is only one spring-loaded door at the front of this trap; baiting, setting and releasing the animal are done through this single door. This trap is simple to operate and safe to use around children and pets.

Rear-door traps
There are two doors on this trap – one in the front and another at the rear; baiting and releasing the animal are done through the sliding rear door, while setting can be taken care of through the spring-loaded front door or the rear door. This trap allows for quick access to bait and set it as well as safe release of the captured animal; it’s ideal for aggressive animals. The rear door is equipped with a double latch and security lock.

Collapsible two-door traps
These traps generally have the same features as the rear-door trap, but they are designed to fold down to a more compact size for convenient transport and storage.

Here’s a general guide on which size trap to use to capture
the desired animal:

Target animals	Trap size	Single Door Item Number	Two Door Item Number
Chipmunks	15"Lx5"Wx5"H	145532	Not applicable
Chipmunks, rats and red squirrels	18”Lx5”Wx5”H	RHV18	72818
Rabbits, skunks, gray squirrels and large rodents	24”Lx7”Wx8”H	RHV24	72824
Small raccoons, skunks and opossums	30”Lx11”Wx12”H	RHV32	72830
Large opossums, raccoons and woodchucks	36”Lx11”Wx12”H	RHV36	72836
Large raccoons, foxes and coyotes	42”Lx15”Wx18”H	RHV42	72842
Bobcats, foxes, dogs and jackrabbits	48”Lx15”Wx22”H	RHV48	72848
Large dogs and coyotes	60”Lx20”Wx28”H	Not applicable	72861
Extra large dogs and coyotes	72”Lx20”Wx28”H	Not applicable	72872

Before setting the trap, find out if any local laws prohibit the trapping of the target animal. Consider the type of animal, the time of year and potential risks involved in trapping it.

Wash the trap with soap and hot water before placement. Always wear gloves when handling the trap and bait to avoid transferring human scent to either.

Set the stage before setting the trap; scatter samples of bait in the immediate area of the trap. If animals enjoy the appetizer, they will be more likely to enter the trap for the main course.

When considering where to place the trap, think about the particular species. A successful trapper knows the habits of the target animal, including what they like to eat, where they look for food and the trails they use.

Use baits or lures that will encourage and entice the target animal into the trap while discouraging others from poking around it. Spread a small amount of bait right outside the trap door so the animal can get another taste of what’s inside. Place the bait under the trap pan so the animal will have to work a little harder to get at it and make it more likely it will spring the trap mechanism. Always bait the trap before setting it.

Here is a general bait guide for various animals:

Animal	Bait
Cat	Fish, meat or cat food
Chipmunk	Peanut butter, popcorn, grains or sunflower seeds
Dog and coyote	Dog food, meat or bones
Fox	Chicken entrails, prepared scented bait or mice
Gopher	Peanut butter and bread
Martin	Meat scraps or chicken entrails
Muskrat	Apples, carrots or parsnips
Porcupine	Apples, salt or carrots
Rabbit	Fresh vegetables like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, apples or bread
Raccoon	Fish, sweet corn, crisp bacon or marshmallows
Rat	Peanut butter, cheese, grain or sandwich meat
Skunk	Chicken entrails, fresh and/or canned fish
Squirrel	Peanut butter, sunflower seeds, oatmeal or bread
Weasel	Fish, fresh liver or chicken entrails
Woodchuck	String beans, corn, lettuce, peas or apples

Always use extreme caution when releasing, transferring or moving a trapped animal. Wear heavy leather or padded gloves, a shirt or jacket with long sleeves, and long pants to help protect against being scratched or bitten.

Some animals will quickly bolt out of the trap, while others may be slow to leave; when exiting, they may flee the area or turn on the person who released them. Trapped animals – wild or domestic – can be unpredictable, so be prepared for any response.

It is important to release a wild animal in an appropriate habitat, one that provides sufficient resources for it to survive.  Contact local natural resources personnel to determine where that is. If you have trapped a domestic animal, contact the local law enforcement office or humane society to determine your course of action.