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Location
State College, PA
Start Date
5-10-2000 12:00 AM
End Date
8-10-2000 12:00 AM
Description
Capture rates and injury rates of coyotes (Canis latrans), bobcats (Lynx rufus), and raccoons (Procyon lotor) captured in standard No. 3 Soft Catch® traps were compared to those captured in the same trap type modified with the Taos Lightening Spring™ (TLS) double torsion spring. All traps were equipped with Paws-I-Trip™ pan tension devices and were successful in excluding most small non target species. We captured 15 coyotes and 17 bobcats from October 1995 to March 1997. In addition, 23 raccoons, a large non target species, were captured. Capture rates for coyotes were higher (P < 0.10) in TLS modified traps (92%) than standard traps (27%), whereas capture rates were similar (P > 0.10) for raccoons (85% and 67%, respectively) and identical for bobcats (100%). Injury rates were minimal (< 9%) for coyotes and bobcats in both types of traps. In contrast, injury rates for raccoons were higher (P < 0.10) in TLS modified traps (73%) than standard traps (33%).
Recommended Citation
Kamler, J. F., Richardson, C., & Gipson, P. S. (2000). Comparison of standard and modified soft catch traps for capturing coyotes, bobcats, and raccoons. In Brittingham, M.C., Kays, J., & McPeake, R. (Eds.), The Ninth Wildlife Damage Management Conference (77-84). State College, PA: Pennsylvania State University.
Included in
Comparison of Standard and Modified Soft Catch Traps for Capturing Coyotes, Bobcats, and Raccoons
State College, PA
Capture rates and injury rates of coyotes (Canis latrans), bobcats (Lynx rufus), and raccoons (Procyon lotor) captured in standard No. 3 Soft Catch® traps were compared to those captured in the same trap type modified with the Taos Lightening Spring™ (TLS) double torsion spring. All traps were equipped with Paws-I-Trip™ pan tension devices and were successful in excluding most small non target species. We captured 15 coyotes and 17 bobcats from October 1995 to March 1997. In addition, 23 raccoons, a large non target species, were captured. Capture rates for coyotes were higher (P < 0.10) in TLS modified traps (92%) than standard traps (27%), whereas capture rates were similar (P > 0.10) for raccoons (85% and 67%, respectively) and identical for bobcats (100%). Injury rates were minimal (< 9%) for coyotes and bobcats in both types of traps. In contrast, injury rates for raccoons were higher (P < 0.10) in TLS modified traps (73%) than standard traps (33%).