Always Something
- Thread starter TorontoJoe
- Start date
TorontoJoe
Administrator
Exactly what I’ll be doing this evening
Figgin' A
Active member
@"TorontoJoe"#1
Wow, it looks like he's been around the block a few times.
Joe, if I had to deal with this, I'd try three additional things:
1. Strategically insert one or two metal rods in the cage to force him to step on the trigger plate.
2. Increase sensitivity. I don't know if you can do it in your cage, but the one I have allows that. It may actually help.
3. This one would likely be difficult for you, but I'll mention it anyway. I would set up a motion sensor to send me an alert when the perp is near the cage. I would also tie a long string to the trigger plate. As soon as I get an alert, I'd be monitoring the perp's activity in real time via the camera and pull the string as soon as he is fully inside the cage.
Wow, it looks like he's been around the block a few times.
Joe, if I had to deal with this, I'd try three additional things:
1. Strategically insert one or two metal rods in the cage to force him to step on the trigger plate.
2. Increase sensitivity. I don't know if you can do it in your cage, but the one I have allows that. It may actually help.
3. This one would likely be difficult for you, but I'll mention it anyway. I would set up a motion sensor to send me an alert when the perp is near the cage. I would also tie a long string to the trigger plate. As soon as I get an alert, I'd be monitoring the perp's activity in real time via the camera and pull the string as soon as he is fully inside the cage.
TorontoJoe
Administrator
I’m not sure about option three but I’ll definitely be locking everything down. Better better tonight.
TorontoJoe
Administrator
OK... I grabbed a few supplies. Instead of a cup I got this metal mesh pencil holder. I want the smell of the bait everywhere... Also one of those flexible plastic cutting boards to cover the back of the trap and prevent them from trying to reach in.
Click for original
I got it strapped in nice and tight
Click for original
Then everything got wired down... weight on top and three metal bars to force the critter to really squeeze in there for a treat.
A tasty smorgasbord of wet cat food, peanut butter dipped marshmallow and leftover porchetta should make it irresistible
Click for original
Trail cam is set. I need a "fingers crossed" emoji
Click for original
I got it strapped in nice and tight
Click for original
Then everything got wired down... weight on top and three metal bars to force the critter to really squeeze in there for a treat.
A tasty smorgasbord of wet cat food, peanut butter dipped marshmallow and leftover porchetta should make it irresistible
Click for original
Trail cam is set. I need a "fingers crossed" emoji
TorontoJoe
Administrator
Me too... Given the size I'm hoping it's not able to smash through the door.
Figgerlickinggood
Well-known member
@"TorontoJoe"#1 what are you using for Bait? Have you ever used sardines? Bet they’ll go WAY inside a trap for some of those. Pungent, juicy, not to mention fishy delicious. Ever hear stories how fast they’ve been able to completely clean out peoples Koi ponds in the yard faster than your fig trees? Try sardines.
TorontoJoe
Administrator
Teresa... I wasn't kidding... I literally used wet cat food, peanut butter dipped marshmallow and leftover porchetta. I figured I'd cover all my bases 
The critters are ridiculous. I hope I've day you haul the last one away and never see them again...
Squirrels got 90+% of my figs this season. 50+ 2-5 year old, 5+ gallon trees and I maybe got 100 figs total - and a lot of those were picked early out of fear I've shared with the wildlife in years past but this year it was stupid. They started with the ripe ones then started on the unripe. They picked most trees completely clean well before mid season even hit. They've already eaten two pumpkins and started working on the new ones already. It's ridiculous!
Some got lead. Heck, once the figs were gone, one decided it wanted into the rat bait station and ate a big hole in the thing. He got lead too, as a mercy, mainly because the kids were upset with the squirrel twitching in the backyard. I'm so done with squirrels. The pellet gun rests inside the back door now and they will hopefully provide some good nutrition for my in ground fruit trees through the fall winter and maybe spring. I won't be waiting until fig season to take care of them next year. I'd have gotten one of the tube traps to put on the fence but my wife vetoed the idea of fuzzy tails hanging out of traps until I get home from work.
I'm glad the coons haven't found my yard yet. The foxes get a few figs but I consider that more than a fair trade since I've seen mama Fox working hard to get her babies fed, and it's glorious.
Squirrels got 90+% of my figs this season. 50+ 2-5 year old, 5+ gallon trees and I maybe got 100 figs total - and a lot of those were picked early out of fear I've shared with the wildlife in years past but this year it was stupid. They started with the ripe ones then started on the unripe. They picked most trees completely clean well before mid season even hit. They've already eaten two pumpkins and started working on the new ones already. It's ridiculous!
Some got lead. Heck, once the figs were gone, one decided it wanted into the rat bait station and ate a big hole in the thing. He got lead too, as a mercy, mainly because the kids were upset with the squirrel twitching in the backyard. I'm so done with squirrels. The pellet gun rests inside the back door now and they will hopefully provide some good nutrition for my in ground fruit trees through the fall winter and maybe spring. I won't be waiting until fig season to take care of them next year. I'd have gotten one of the tube traps to put on the fence but my wife vetoed the idea of fuzzy tails hanging out of traps until I get home from work.
I'm glad the coons haven't found my yard yet. The foxes get a few figs but I consider that more than a fair trade since I've seen mama Fox working hard to get her babies fed, and it's glorious.
TorontoJoe
Administrator
I wish I had the option to build a full chain link enclosure on all 6 sides.
ktrain
Moderator
Looks great Joe, I'd say this should work!
If by chance he gets the food, I'd raise it a bit higher to make him reach further.
But...I think your going to get him!
Also....have you considered blocking off the top third so he has to crawl lower over the trigger plate?
I don't like giving them that much room to easily reach the goodies. lol
If by chance he gets the food, I'd raise it a bit higher to make him reach further.
But...I think your going to get him!
Also....have you considered blocking off the top third so he has to crawl lower over the trigger plate?
I don't like giving them that much room to easily reach the goodies. lol
Figless
Well-known member
@"TorontoJoe"#1 Very suspenseful Joe. This raccoon is very smart, I sure hope we don't have a video with you in the cage tomorrow morning. I can't believe one of those big giant raccoons you've got would have that much room to maneuver Inside the Cage without triggering the plate. Anyway the tension is mounting here in Berkeley CA has I've read all these posts counting down 5 hours 4 hours 3 hours 2 hours LOL @"Figgerlickinggood"#7 @"2Angels"#127 subscribing for all the videos. It's kind of like watching a SpaceX raccoon launch. Good luck
Figgerlickinggood
Well-known member
@"TorontoJoe"#1 if all else fails your gonna have to bring out the last thing. I’m sure you’ve watched The Godfather you need to get what they used, “get the mattress” Joe it’s war time.
TorontoJoe
Administrator
I really never thought this thread would last this long.... I arrived to another empty trap this morning.... On viewing the video, what I saw blew my mind. Especially the interaction that took place at around 23:17.
What's clear is that they're smart, and while they want the food... they will go to almost any length to avoid entering the trap.
[video=youtube]
Obviously this isn't over... I need to devise a counter attack...
What's clear is that they're smart, and while they want the food... they will go to almost any length to avoid entering the trap.
[video=youtube]
Obviously this isn't over... I need to devise a counter attack...
Figgerlickinggood
Well-known member
Oh Joe, that’s one smart coon. I commend you for your patience. My husband would pull an all nighter gun in hand just waiting for him when he comes back, saying to himself “you’ll be back, you’ll be back on your knees begging like your brother was, ha ha ha.”
TorontoJoe
Administrator
I need to figure out a new plan… Perhaps a trap that doesn’t look like a trap if that’s what they’re used to. I’m not sure yet.
Figgin' A
Active member
Damn... that coon has definitely been caught and was able to break free or saw one of his buddies get caught. He knows the mechanics of this trap. I agree; you need something new that he is not familiar with.
I've learned for myself, though, that no matter what, they just keep coming, and it's a never-ending, tiring battle. Next year, I am going to focus on prevention.
Have you thought about installing an electric fence around your trees? Something like this: https://electricfencecanada.ca/shop...n-and-backyard-protection-electric-fence-kit/ It might be a good solution for you.
Culo, ha?
Nice touch... but it should be culi, really. Molti culi.
A couple of thoughts after watching your highly entertaining video once again.
I am surprised that neither of the two coons entered the cage, but one did yesterday. I am also surprised that the skunk also didn't enter the cage. Yeah, I know, you mentioned that they don't climb. But I've seen them climb my 15g pots and steal figs hanging up to 20 inches off the ground. They also climb my retaining walls and get on top of my 20" tall wooden containers. The one in your video is also a bit of a climber.
So, they all went straight to the back of the trap. I think that's because the smell was very strong from that end of the cage and there was nothing attractive on the other side. You need to experiment with placing a trail of small treats starting in front of the cage opening and leading all the way to the back where you'd have a big 'prize' treat. Perhaps that is the key to success - they will lose their guard while getting easy treats and nothing bad happening to them and become careless enough to step on the trip plate.
I've learned for myself, though, that no matter what, they just keep coming, and it's a never-ending, tiring battle. Next year, I am going to focus on prevention.
Have you thought about installing an electric fence around your trees? Something like this: https://electricfencecanada.ca/shop...n-and-backyard-protection-electric-fence-kit/ It might be a good solution for you.
Culo, ha?
Nice touch... but it should be culi, really. Molti culi.A couple of thoughts after watching your highly entertaining video once again.
I am surprised that neither of the two coons entered the cage, but one did yesterday. I am also surprised that the skunk also didn't enter the cage. Yeah, I know, you mentioned that they don't climb. But I've seen them climb my 15g pots and steal figs hanging up to 20 inches off the ground. They also climb my retaining walls and get on top of my 20" tall wooden containers. The one in your video is also a bit of a climber.
So, they all went straight to the back of the trap. I think that's because the smell was very strong from that end of the cage and there was nothing attractive on the other side. You need to experiment with placing a trail of small treats starting in front of the cage opening and leading all the way to the back where you'd have a big 'prize' treat. Perhaps that is the key to success - they will lose their guard while getting easy treats and nothing bad happening to them and become careless enough to step on the trip plate.
TorontoJoe
Administrator
Si….. tanti culi !
I have looked at the electric fences and they may have to go that route, but I’m wondering, challenging might be to set up given the randomness of how my trees are placed.
You’re quite correct about the skunks… It’s not that they never climb, just in my experience they’re less likely to do it.
I like your idea of placing the trail leading them into the tramp. I think I’m going to do that. I’m also going to get some clear plastic as soon as possible so I can prevent them from reaching in from the sides like they did. I need to make sure that if they want the treats, that they have to go in for them
Really what blew me away the most is when raccoon was taunting the skunk. I don’t know any other animal that will do that. I guess they skunks know that raccoons don’t care how they smell.
I have looked at the electric fences and they may have to go that route, but I’m wondering, challenging might be to set up given the randomness of how my trees are placed.
You’re quite correct about the skunks… It’s not that they never climb, just in my experience they’re less likely to do it.
I like your idea of placing the trail leading them into the tramp. I think I’m going to do that. I’m also going to get some clear plastic as soon as possible so I can prevent them from reaching in from the sides like they did. I need to make sure that if they want the treats, that they have to go in for them
Really what blew me away the most is when raccoon was taunting the skunk. I don’t know any other animal that will do that. I guess they skunks know that raccoons don’t care how they smell.