One problem with raccoon box and cage traps, which I forgot to mention above, is that it is difficult to place the bait inside. Your arms just aren't quite long enough to place the bait where it has to go, in the back of the box. Some tongs will help somewhat, but it's still quite a reach. I can't imagine that it would be any easier with a wooden box trap.
SINGLE INGREDIENT RACCOON BAITS AND LURESAnise oil, honey, phenyl acetic acid crystals, canned sardines or canned salmon (both using all the oil in the can), fish oil or fish juice.
If I had to choose any one ingredient as a "secret ingredient," it would be
anise oil. I have caught raccoons in baited cubbies (which, essentially, is what a cage or wooden box trap is) with nothing more than than anise oil. However, it's more valuable as a lure. Place the anise a little higher up, on a weed or bush, to attract the bandit to the vicinity, then use the bait to draw him into the trap. As a lure for raccoons, anise oil is simply the best there is. Try it first and, if it doesn't work, then try one of the others.
For bait, raccoons are pretty catholic in their preferences. An ear of corn will work, as will over ripe fruit and berries, the tainted flesh bait described above, fish and fish oil, honey, molasses, and grains.
The problem is, a lot of these will catch skunks and opossums too, so the trick is to use baits that will be more attractive to raccoons but be less enticing to the unwanted critters. The following qualify, but be aware that any of these will also get skunks and opossums. Be ready to deal with anything you have.
PORK BAIT FOR RACCOON AND FOXThis is made by combining hog cracklins and pork with lard. Ask your butcher or meat processor for some of the cheaper cuts of pork, and cut these up into about 3/4" cubes, or strips about that much deep and wide. Place these into a frying pan and sear over low heat, so that the outer edges are scorched, while the inside is soft but still well cooked. Do not use any oil or grease.
Then place some cracklins into the pan with the pork, mix well, and cook only long enough for the cracklins to become soft.
Then, put a couple large spoonfuls of lard over the meat and cracklins and stir while the lard melts. After a few minutes, remove from heat and spoon everything into glass jars. Place the jar into the refrigerator long enough for the lard to congeal and lock in the meat and cracklins. Put the lids on the jars and store in a cool, dark place until ready for use.
I think the "yuck factor" is pretty minimal with this one.
RACCOON BAIT #2Here's a bait that works well for raccoon and, better yet, the "yuck factor" is nonexistent!
This one is especially good where a larger quantity of bait is needed, such as near hog feeder operations where there is already plenty of food. The molasses is both a great food call for raccoons, and a great filler additive.
The formula I use is 4 ounces of molasses, 4 ounces of strained honey, and 8 ounces of barley corn. Stir briskly in a pot, then add 1 ounce of phenyl acetic acid crystal and 1/2 ounce of fennel or rhodium oil. Stir briskly while warming over low heat, then pour into glass jars. Let age for at least a month. (It is best to start preparing this bait a month or so before the trapping season starts.)
RACCOON LURE #1Into a clean glass quart jar add 4 oz. trout oil or other clean fish oil, and 1/2 oz. each of honey essence and phenyl acetic acid crystals. Shake well and let stand for a week. then let stand another week, shaking for a few minutes every other day.
Then add 1/2 oz. beaver castor, 1 oz. muskrat musk, 1/2 oa. valerian extract oil, and 4 drops of
tinctured tonquin, or 2 drops pure. Shake well, and allow to age for at least 8 weeks without further shaking.
RACCOON LURE #21 oz. glycerine oil
1 oz. trout oil or other clean fish oil
1 oz. beaver castor, muskrat musk, and muscaro in combination
1/4 oz. ambrette musk
1/4 oz. phenyl acetic acid crystals
6 drops artificial tonquin
3 drops ambergris or canton musk
3 drops anise
Let age at least six weeks.
Onward and upward,
airforce
