Paul Marx
Well-known member
I'm not a professional , but will tell all what I have learned over the years. The most important is hogs are smart. Don't underestimate them for a second. They aren't blind to movement , can hear extremely well , and have a nose better then dogs . They remember everything they are taught by a sow. In order to successfully trap a sounder (litter) you have to take out the teachers (sows). Large boars only hang out with the ladies when they're in heat . Trapping in new areas you may do good on a large number , but don't get used to that. Once an older pig sees their siblings in a trap they never forget the danger . I had trapped all but 2 sows and a boar from a sounder last winter. For the last 5 months I've been watching(gen3 night vision ) the 2 remaining sows with 8 young. I never touched or baiting the traps and they walked by them nightly. If I was to bait either trap the sows would have chased to young away and taught them never to go near traps. Fast forward, the young pigs have now been eating on their own for a couple months , but still hanging with the sows and walking right past both traps. Four weeks ago I took out both sows (night vision 44 mag ) . Three weeks ago I started baiting the traps (doors wire open) and all the pigs would race to get the corn inside , packing in like sardines . On Friday night I set both traps and caught all 8 . I don't have a large pig problem so I shot all but 1 boar and 2 sows to start all over again. I can throw corn all over the traps and the three little piggies will scarf down everything out side the trap , but won't go in.
Now as far as trap builds no bottoms works best, top is needed period . Cattle panels with the 4"X 4" squares work best . Some panels have small holes on the bottom and get larger towards the top , not good as little pigs will climb up and out threw the larger holes or get hung chock to death . If you build it lite enough to move yourself anchor it down with T-post . A pig can lift their weight with their nose and will flip a trap over. For bait straight corn or a locally grown produce they are already eating (farmers crops). Bait the trap with the door wired open till its getting hit every night. Only put the trip wire in a corner and not all the way across the trap. The reason for this is you want to trap multiples and the first pig in the trap will trip a trigger across the middle of the trap. Put it way off in a far corner so it won't get hit till the trap is full of hogs. They will be pushing each other around and one will finally hit the trigger closing the door on everybody. If you google it you will probably find 400,000 trap designs.
Oh and by all means only set your traps when you can check them . There's no need for an animal to suffer.
Now as far as trap builds no bottoms works best, top is needed period . Cattle panels with the 4"X 4" squares work best . Some panels have small holes on the bottom and get larger towards the top , not good as little pigs will climb up and out threw the larger holes or get hung chock to death . If you build it lite enough to move yourself anchor it down with T-post . A pig can lift their weight with their nose and will flip a trap over. For bait straight corn or a locally grown produce they are already eating (farmers crops). Bait the trap with the door wired open till its getting hit every night. Only put the trip wire in a corner and not all the way across the trap. The reason for this is you want to trap multiples and the first pig in the trap will trip a trigger across the middle of the trap. Put it way off in a far corner so it won't get hit till the trap is full of hogs. They will be pushing each other around and one will finally hit the trigger closing the door on everybody. If you google it you will probably find 400,000 trap designs.
Oh and by all means only set your traps when you can check them . There's no need for an animal to suffer.