How to Trap a Fox or a Raccoon

Fox and raccoons often live and hunt in the same area. Foxes hunt the fields for mice and small animals. Raccoons will hunt along waterways, but will also travel the same fields as fox. A trap set made for a fox is capable of taking a raccoon as well. A land set known as the Dirt Hole Set is effective for both animals and is the primary set for taking fox. Steel coil-spring traps in sizes 1.75 and 2 are the proper traps for both animals. Commercial fox lure will also work for raccoon.

Things You'll Need

  • Traps, with 3 feet of extension chain
  • Rubber gloves
  • Trowel
  • Rebar wire
  • Dirt sifter
  • Bait
  • Fox lure
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate where foxes are traveling around the edges of fields and wooded areas. They will also follow animal trails through the woods. Look for their tracks and feces containing bits of bone and fur.

    • 2

      Make the Dirt Hole set at the edge of a field where it borders trees and brush. Choose a spot that is clear with no bushes or trees immediately around it. Put on the rubber gloves and dig a hole at a 45 degree angle, 3 inches wide and 6 inches deep facing the ground.

    • 3

      Dig out a hollow in front of the hole wide enough to lay the set trap in and deep enough so that the top of the trap is 1/2 inch below the surface of the ground around it.

    • 4

      Lay the set trap solidly in the hollow so it does not rock. The pan should be 2 inches off center from the hole with the jaw hinge facing the hole, so the animal steps between the jaws and not over them. The edge of the trap spring should be 1/2 inch back from the edge of the hole.

    • 5

      Find or cut a tree branch 2 to 3 inches in diameter and 4 feet long. Wire the end of the extension chain to the center of the branch. Lay the branch parallel with the back of the hole in a natural manner as if it fell there.

    • 6

      Dig a shallow trench for the trap chain leading to the branch and bury the chain. Trowel the dirt from the hole into the dirt sifter, and sift dirt over the trap to keep stones and debris out of the jaws. Completely cover the trap and then scrape the area to look like an animal dug the hole.

    • 7

      Place a walnut-size piece of bait in the bottom of the hole and cover it with 1 inch of dirt. Dip a twig in the lure bottle and drop it in the hole. The set is complete.