the Box trap

H

halo2

Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Messages
299
Here's a fun project. I built a box trap.

It took a few old pallets and about 1-2 hours. Build a simple box (mine is 9 1/2" x 9 1/2" x 30". The trigger is a simple peg with a flat cut in it that rests on a hole cut in the box. That attaches to a lever which holds the door open. It's baited with sunflower seeds.

boxtrapoi7.jpg


Now, we wait ...
 
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I have caught rabbits, squirrels, coons, possums, skunks and house cats in that trap. If you put hardware cloth on the closed end, opposite side from the door, I think it is more effective, the critter can look in and see all the way through.

If you catch anything besides a rabbit it is best to get to it as soon as possible or they will chew it up pretty bad. Chris
 
Thanks all.

Not trapping anything really. But a squirrel or dove may find it, though it is a bit big for them. We have other critters around, but no tracks in the snow.

Just a test.

RunningBoar - I had planned to do just that. I need to get the material.I didn't have it handy.
 
Halo,
If there are any rabbits in the area put some sliced apples in the back, they can't resist. If you are looking for a coon or a possum a can of sardines will turn the trick everytime.:thumbup: Chris
 
I used to run a dozen or so rabbit "gums" when I was a boy. They were called that in our area because they used to be made from a hollow section of sweet gum tree log. I never baited mine when I was after rabbits. If you position them right the rabbits just seem to want to go in them. I guess they are looking for a place to hide or get out of the weather.
It worked because I caught enough rabbits to feed myself and my grand parents and we still had enough to put in the freezer. I can still taste my Grandma's fried rabbit with biscuits and gravy.

HUMMMMMMMMMMMM

:thumbup:
 
riddleofsteel said:
I used to run a dozen or so rabbit "gums" when I was a boy. They were called that in our area because they used to be made from a hollow section of sweet gum tree log.
Click to expand...


First thing I have heard useful from sweetgum, besides work getting the blasted balls up out of my yard. :D Chris
 
Hey Running Boar and Riddle of Steel,

Please post some details about your sets, what worked, trap location, etc. I'm sure we'd all like to hear about the skill from veterans.

I'll post trigger details in a bit. It's stupidly simple.
 
Nice job !! good and solid. You are bound to catch something if you leave it set long enough.
 
Sorry to say that I can't say too much about my skill. If I found a lot of poop, tracks and runs I set a baited box and usually caught something. As far as coons, my favorite set was where I found a log across a creek, set a baited trap on either end and I usually caught something. Chris
 
I will be interested to know what you end up doing when you find a critter in the box. This is the big problem facing all trappers using boxes/cages. Some folks might put the whole thing underwater to drown the animal, but I don't like the idea of that. Others might use a noose on a pole to grab it by the neck, but that could get interesting as you need the door open for the operation unless you have some other access hole.

If you had a big, strong sack you could hold that over the end then open the door and tip the critter into it .... then use a club.

I've caught a number of animals in a wire cage trap. The bars were wide enough apart for me to slip the barrel of my .22 through.

Keep us posted !!
 
the notch is on the front of the stick... the bait is behind it. when the animal enters to get the bait it pushe the stick back enroute which dislodges it from the roof.. (at least that's the way I used to do it... I don't want to speak for halo... it's his trap and he did a great job.. that is way nicer than the ones I used to make...that's a real functional masterpiece.... TF I can relate if brains where dynamite I wouldn't have enough to blow my own nose...
 
Coote - almost any critter would be let go. The best thing about the box trap is that that is an option.

Talfuchre - whwn the critter goes in, it nudges the stick to spring the trap.
 
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