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Location
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Start Date
18-10-1987 12:00 AM
Description
The effectiveness and selectivity of several traps and trap modifications were field-evaluated and compared in Alabama from 1977 to 1980. No. 220 Conibear traps placed in baited open-end boxes (TB) on the ground posed a hazard to dogs and were not recommended for general use in terrestrial sets. They may be effective to control feral dogs in special situations or areas. TB devices attached to tree trunks 1 m above the ground eliminated the hazard to dogs, but rendered the trap ineffective for taking small mammals.
No. 220 Conibear traps with selective position treadle triggers placed in trail water-sets were significantly less effective for taking raccoon and other small mammals than standard jaw traps.
No. 120 Conibear TB baited with putrified deer meat or fresh fish were found in field evaluations to take one opossum or raccoon per 8.4 trap nights and caused no mortality in dogs. Visitation at trap sites by bobcats, dogs, foxes, ducks, and rabbits was evidenced by numerous tracks, but nontarget species taken consisted of one rice rat, one cotton rat, and two house cats. The No. 120 Conibear TB appears to be an effective means for selectively taking 2 to 7 kg mammals, particularly with prebaiting.
Animal induced trap-snaps in No. 2 coil spring traps with standard and offset jaws were similar, but animal pull-outs were significantly greater in the traps with offset jaws.
Recommended Citation
Hill, E. P. (1987). Catch effectiveness and selectivity of several traps. In Holler, N. R. (Ed.), The Third Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference (pp. 269-274). Gulf Shores, AL: Auburn University.
Included in
Catch Effectiveness and Selectivity of Several Traps
Gulf Shores, Alabama
The effectiveness and selectivity of several traps and trap modifications were field-evaluated and compared in Alabama from 1977 to 1980. No. 220 Conibear traps placed in baited open-end boxes (TB) on the ground posed a hazard to dogs and were not recommended for general use in terrestrial sets. They may be effective to control feral dogs in special situations or areas. TB devices attached to tree trunks 1 m above the ground eliminated the hazard to dogs, but rendered the trap ineffective for taking small mammals.
No. 220 Conibear traps with selective position treadle triggers placed in trail water-sets were significantly less effective for taking raccoon and other small mammals than standard jaw traps.
No. 120 Conibear TB baited with putrified deer meat or fresh fish were found in field evaluations to take one opossum or raccoon per 8.4 trap nights and caused no mortality in dogs. Visitation at trap sites by bobcats, dogs, foxes, ducks, and rabbits was evidenced by numerous tracks, but nontarget species taken consisted of one rice rat, one cotton rat, and two house cats. The No. 120 Conibear TB appears to be an effective means for selectively taking 2 to 7 kg mammals, particularly with prebaiting.
Animal induced trap-snaps in No. 2 coil spring traps with standard and offset jaws were similar, but animal pull-outs were significantly greater in the traps with offset jaws.