How to Set a Racoon Trap

A raccoon will travel along waterways and search in the water for food.

Raccoon are widely spread throughout the United States, and they are a commonly trapped fur-bearing animals. They can be found in hardwood forests, along any body of water, and they stay active even in the middle of winter. Wherever the raccoon is found, its habits remain similar; they are always on the prowl for food and have a natural sense of curiosity, a habit which trappers can use to their advantage.

Things You'll Need

• Steel traps
• Aluminum foil
• Rebar wire
• Wire cutters
• Raccoon lure

Instructions

1. Locate a place along a stream, lake, or pond where raccoon are traveling. Tracks resembling a small human hand in the shore mud will indicate that raccoon are in this area.

2. Wrap aluminum foil over the entire trap pan, with the shiniest side of the foil up, and then set the trap.

3. Place the trap in the water next to the raccoon tracks; the trap should have 1 to 3 inches of water over it and not be more than 12 inches from the shore.

4. Twist a double strand of rebar wire around the trap ring and tie the other end off to a tree or other solid object so the raccoon cannot make off with the trap.

5. Find a dead stick that is no more than 1/4 inch in diameter and long enough so it can be stuck in the water with 3 to 4 inches sticking up above the water. Dip one end of the stick in the bottle of raccoon lure and push the other end into the water just beyond the trap, making sure the lured end of the stick stays above the water.

6. Cover the trap, but not the foil wrapped pan, with water soaked leaves to hide the trap. The raccoon will be drawn to the scent of the lure. Upon seeing the shiny foil, the raccoon will grab for it and push down the pan of the trap and be caught.

Tips & Warnings

• This set requires that the trap be placed in water as the water causes the foil to reflect.

• Coil and underspring traps work best for this set as they are designed to jump up to take a higher hold on the animal's leg.

• Commercial raccoon lure and traps can be purchased on-line through a trapper supply house.

• Check your local game laws for specific trapping regulations; a trapping license is generally required.

• Check traps every 24 hours, it is the law in most states.

• Do not attempt to put the foil on the trap pan after the trap is set or you will snap it shut on your fingers.

• Do not set traps anywhere that people walk with pets or domestic animals that could be caught. Keep traps to areas removed from the public.

References

• "Trapping North American Furbearers"; S. Stanley Hawbaker; 1969
• "Raccoon Trapping Methods"; Russ Carman; 1982