How to Bait My Foot Traps

Furbearing animals that are caught with steel leg hold traps are classed as carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores. Bait is effective for all three groups. Meat bait is used for predators such as fox and coyote, while fruit or vegetables are used for muskrats and nutria. Omnivores like raccoons, skunk, and opossum will be attracted to either bait. Attractor lures can be used without bait; however, coupled with bait the trap set is more likely to draw in the desired animal.

Things You'll Need

  • Bait appropriate for the target animal
  • Trowel
  • Knife
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set the trap at the water's edge for muskrat or nutria. Place slices of apple, carrot, or similar fruit and vegetables just beyond the trap in a way that the animal must step on the trap to reach the bait.

    • 2

      Use fresh red meat or fish for mink. Place it in a hole dug into the bank above water line with the trap set in front of it. Once the bait turns old it must be replaced.

    • 3

      Make tainted bait for coyotes and foxes by placing walnut size chunks of red meat in a glass jar and leave it to turn old. Dig a hole in the ground and place a piece of tainted meat in the hole with the trap set in front of the hole.

    • 4

      Make a 2 foot square pen of rocks or sticks and place fish inside the pen with the trap set in front to attract raccoon. Chicken, beef, or similar meat will also attract raccoon, skunk, and opossum.

    • 5

      Cut branches from the trees beaver are feeding on for bait. Peel a bit of the bark off to show the white inside and lay the branches on the bank so the beaver must step in the trap to reach the bait.