Comprehensive Predator Management on Private Lands.
Furbearer Management
https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-inspires/furbearer-management
You will want to scroll down to “Research on Trapping:” section
Then click on ling of “Use of Bodygrip Traps on Dryland: A Guide To Responsible Use. 2017”
https://www.fishwildlife.org/application/files/9215/2106/2322/AFWA_Bodygrip_2017_final_compressed.pdf
This document was produced by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) Furbearer Conservation Technical Work Group, in consultation with representatives from trapping organizations. We especially acknowledge Matt Peek of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism for serving as primary author on this document. Significant contributions in authorship were also made by Dave Hastings of the Fur Takers of America and Matt Lovallo of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. We wish to acknowledge Bob Noonan for writing the history of the bodygrip trap section based on his knowledge and conversations with Neal Jotham, Fur Institute of Canada. We also acknowledge members of the Furbearer Conservation Technical Work Group, who reviewed this document, as well as Dr. Tim Hiller who assisted with an early version of the document. Illustration credits are to Joe Goodman. Photo credits to Austin Worth (Missouri Department of Conservation), Bryant White (AFWA), eXtension.org, Matt Peek (Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism), Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and New York State. Department of Environmental Conservation. We would also like to acknowledge the document "Safe and Ethical Use of the Dryland Conibear Trap" that served as a guide for this document (Wisconsin Trappers Association 1998).
"Safe and Ethical Use of the Dryland Conibear Trap" that served as a guide for this document (Wisconsin Trappers Association and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource). A great document. But to the Missouri Trappers Assocation Board says is poorly written also
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/sites/default/files/topic/Education/OutdoorSkills/safeandethical.pdf
Spent months talking with trappers using them, research other documents like Palas, Mark. 2012. Trapping: Raccoons up in the Trees. Fur-Fish-Game. Sept., 2012.,
I talked with trappers from Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania to building buckets and boxes and testing them and used helpful hints Palas, Mark. 2012. Trapping: Raccoons up in the Trees. Fur-Fish-Game. Sept., 2012. https://www.furfishgame.com/featured_articles/Archived/2012-09/trapline_09-2012.php
Iowa and Illinois DNR Biologist
Vince Evelsizer Furbearers and Wetlands Biologist Iowa DNR – who I talked with on phone July 28, 2025. It is RARE I am not seeing any issues with 220’s or Snares on dry land and dogs in the state of Iowa!
Stan McTaggart - Wildlife Diversity Program Manager - Illinois DNR - email July 28, 2025 - It is UNCOMMON to get complaints of dogs in body-grips!
The North American Trapper Education by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies for Furbearer Management and Best Management Practices for Trapping a course Includes -
Teaching that traps are essential tools for responsible and ethical trapping, designed to humanely capture furbearers while minimizing harm to non-target animals. Understanding the different types of traps, their proper use, and legal requirements is crucial for every trapper.
5’ elevated Bucket Test and 5’ elevated Top Entry Cubby Set
This is one of the most animal specific of any trapping tool I have ever used based off of AFWA – BMP recommendation, because Raccoon must to climb a tree and go into a container to get caught.
Simple Question: Please explain to me how an any dog is going to climb into an tree 5 feet and then enter into an 10”x10” box and then go into the box 8” to get to trap?
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FACT No. 1 - No traps in history have been documented to catch selected animals, and dogproofs are not a magic bullet they have problems to overcome. They are just another trap in the tool box of comprehensive predator management.
Research shows recording of raccoons with hundreds of video and 10,000’s of photos of reactions for the 4 years, when sows go into heat or piles of corn for hog trapping, or legal areas and location in Missouri take place and when denning starts they will walk right by dog proof.
That is why cage traps and Duke # 1 CS, Duke 1 1/2 CS, and Duke # 1 3/4 CS are still sold today, otherwise the trapping companies would have stopped making and selling. 220’s Conibear is just another tool for the toolbox.
SNARES = Truth, Facts and Education are key! It takes minutes to learn this, but you will have to want to. Don’t be lied to!
NO TANGLE AREAS is Key, keeping out of trees and brush.
You might need to read and listen to the presentation given by Missouri Furbearer Biologist to you about snares in May Commission meeting. Require snares to have 2.5-inch deer stop and have a break away device set to 350 lbs. of pressure. Snares get a bad name because it all has to do with the style of lock and today 16 different style of locks over what existed today than in 1970’s.
Fact No. 1 - The only difference between cable restraints and snare are the lock.
So you would for the live market you would use Penny Size Washer or Micro Locks.
Example - Small Washer Snare Lock = is a penny sized, smooth sliding, relaxing snare lock.
So when the coyote luges forward it tightens then when he retreats it relaxes.
You would stay away from Cam Lock and Snare Dispatch Springs.
Fact No. 2 – Snares are NOT lethal until you make then lethal. 9 out of 10 coyotes will be running around when you arrive as long as you don’t put in area to get tangle up.
For the live Market Coyote - If using 3 feet of cable for 8-inch loop on a 5/64 1x19 cable with a 6 to 8 ft tail cable, it will allow the lock to relax little, Mirco, Slims, Mini Lock Bullet locks that back off. With a great swivel to allow mobility and prevent entanglements and can move deer stop to 3 ½ to 4”.
EXAMPLE 1 – IOWA - Billingsley Brand Trapping Lures YouTube Channel with over 6,000 subscribers has a video about
LIVE MARKET COYOTE WITH SNARES. - https://youtu.be/MuaKqWVTV24?si=rLY79Z6hGIPWiYqa
EXAMPLE 2 – ARKANSAS - A LEGENDARY TRAPPER” Making HOMEMADE Snares & Catching Coyotes (PREDATOR CONTROL)153 LIVE MARKET COYOTES WITH SNARES in 4 years on average 2 1/2 months per year. https://youtu.be/T0canhKEO3g?si=ZImCelh63o9ltd9G
Razorback Snares out of Tennessee sells Snares for live market – This is his recommendation. Penny size washer and micro locks for locks- 12 inch loop loaded of 5/64 1x19 with 30 inch 7x7 3/32 pigtail
Fact No. 3 – Cable Restraint no longer require training in Missouri and if they get tangle on anything will kill the animal no different than a snare. If that was not the case the MDC Cable Restraint Manual would not have these requirements. captured animal cannot get entangled by rooted, woody vegetation greater than½ inch in diameter or any other objects, and be at least 12 inches from a fence when fully extended.
FACT on landowners in Missouri.
Missouri Trappers Association around 754 members.
8,000 permit trappers Missouri over 90% not represented by any group.
An estimated 313,000 family forest ownerships in Missouri not represented by any group.
Private landowners own approximately 85% of Missouri's forested land no represented by any group, totaling around 15.4 million acres, according to the US Forest Service.
Missouri is home to around 88,000 farms. This makes Missouri the 3rd largest state in the US for the number of farms.
Anti Trapping groups don’t even care about all 3 policy changes in Missouri and as History shows Anti Trapping Group funded the conibear trap into existence if you take time the read the best management practice history of the Conibear.
Trapping along with habitat is the most comprehensive management strategy in America. It keeps wildlife in balance.
FACT: Raccoon Population in Missouri – Birth rate has not changed.
Missouri – Furbearer Report by MDC
1977 - 300,000 Raccoon Pelts sold
1998 - 200,000 Raccoon Pelts sold
2009 - MDC estimated the statewide raccoon population at 1.4 million with annual trapping of 100,000 to 200,000.
2010 - MDC estimated the statewide raccoon population at 1 to 2 million with annual trapping of annual trapping of 100,000 to 200,000.
2012 - 150,000 in 2012 Raccoon Pelts sold
2023 – 11,196 Raccoon Pelts Sold
Total North American yearly average harvest of more than 4.4 million pelts in the 1980s makes the raccoon harvest the most valuable of all North American furbearers.
2023 - International source - The harvest of raccoon for United States fur value is the lowest it has ever been, less than 100,000 and could be far less.
2025 – Fur Harvester Auction – 53,916 Raccoon mainly unsold.
FACT No. 1: Coyote in Missouri population birth rate has not changed.
FACT NO. 2: If you take all the bears, mountain lions and wolves in the United States they would still not add up to all the coyotes in the United States which could not be said 25 years ago when they did not exist east of the Mississippi.
FACT No. 3: Missouri – Furbearer Report by MDC
2013 – 7,631 Coyotes pelts sold
2023 – 1,997 Coyotes pelts sold
2025 – Fur Harvester Auction – 23,017 Coyotes mainly unsold.
Fact No. 4: Coyotes reportedly kill over 300,000 head of livestock annually in the United States. This predation leads to significant economic losses for farmers and ranchers, with an estimated $232 million in livestock losses attributed to predation in one year.
Fact No. 5 - Missouri – Furbearer Report by MDC
1945 – 1,192 Resident Commercial Fur Buyer Permits.
1946 thru 1953 - Missouri Landowner Predator Control Program.
2023 - 21 Resident Commercial Fur Buyer Permits
1980 - 13,248 Trapping Permits
2000 – 2,050 Trapping Permits
2023 - 8,736 Trapping Permits
Comprehensive Predator Management
Comprehensive Predator Management
Promote Hunting & Trapping Recruitment and Retention!
Science Based Predator Management and Public Education using the Best Management Practices tools written by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies – Furbearer Conservation Technical Working Group in consultation with significant contributions from Fur Takers of America and Pennsylvania Game and Fish Commission.
The same tools that our neighboring states game and fish departments for Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa, along with Texas, Maryland, North Dakota, New Mexico, Virginia, Vermont and Oregon use.
Examples of what private landowners and trappers on private land could use 220 Conibear Cubby Set Top Entrance - 5 ft. Pre Box Cubby Pre Bait Testing
Raccoons Den in Trees, climb fruit trees to eat, climb trees to eat bird nest, Climb into Wood Duck Boxes, and I watched them climb a tree and take a nap in a squirrel’s nest with tail hanging out for hours. It was fun to watch. Using Raccoon Natural ability and nature.
Once the Season Opens in the Winter the Landowner / Trapper / Hunter option for Weekend only traps – They would be able to pre-bait set on Sunday and come back Friday or Saturday and Set trap.
That’s 22 Saturdays of trapping that Private Landowner might not be able to even trap 1 day during the week because of work. 22 more chances to: Being able to implement Comprehensive Predator Management on Private Lands. Increasing opportunity, recruitment and retention to trap for people that can’t check traps every day during the workday in Missouri.
While keeping your bait away from other wildlife and animals. While saving you gas and time!!!
Can you imagine 300,000 forest landowners and 80,000 farms. 44.6 million acres is in private ownership, having more opportunities to help themselves with predator control. Recruiting them to become trappers.
1980s - The total North American yearly average harvest of more than 4.4 million pelts in the 1980s makes the raccoon harvest the most valuable of all North American furbearers.
1997/1998 - MDC Reported– Over 200,000 Raccoons were trapped.
2009 - MDC Reported estimated the statewide raccoon population at 1.4 million with annual trapping of 100,000 to 200,000.
2010 - MDC Reported estimated the statewide raccoon population at 1 to 2 million with annual trapping of 100,000 to 200,000.
2022/2023 - MDC Reported 11,196 Raccoon Pelts sold or registered.
2023 - The Raccoon U.S. harvest will hit a historical low of 100,000 or less pelts per year.
2023 - July – August American Trapper – The National Trappers Association Magazine. Page 29 - We are currently facing enormous obstacles in the fur trade. China is finally opening after incurring draconian Covid shutdowns only to find that worsening financial banking crisis is going to limit the available capital to purchase raw fur supplies. Prices for many items such as raccoon have taken such a hit as to make them uneconomical to trap. It ends up as catch-22. The less trappers receive for their fur. The less they trap.
Hopefully, trappers will continue to trap in this discouraging fur market. Most trappers I know are resourceful and likely to shift efforts to species that are more likely to pay the gas money.
2025 – July 17 thru 19 - Fur Harvester Auction Raccoons 53,916 Mainly UNSOLD!!
MDC past fur bearer biologist 10 years ago unofficially coyote population was 250,000. They are too numerous to put a number on. Fact today there are more Coyotes in the United States than bears, wolves and mountains combined. The United States is home to an estimated 450,000 Bears, 11,000 Wolves and 30,000 Mountain Lions.
2013/2014 - MDC Reported 7,631 Coyote Pelts sold or registered
2022/2023 - MDC Reported 1,196 Coyote Pelts sold or registered
2025 – July 17 thru 19 - Fur Harvester Auction Raccoons 23,017 Mainly UNSOLD!!
Missouri has gone from 13,000 trapping permits in 1980’s to less than 7,000 trapping permits.
BUT THE ONE THING THAT HAS NOT CHANGED IS THE BIRTH RATE OF ALL PREDATORS!
TRAPPING: RACCOONS UP IN THE TREES - Sept. 2012 - Fur-Fish-Game- By Mark Palas a Minnesota Trapper and an instructor at events for the Minnesota Trappers Association.
https://www.furfishgame.com/featured_articles/Archived/2012-09/trapline_09-2012.php?srsltid=AfmBOopVaynRVsT76tQP7gsGu0u33azCRXutVMlfrcqsYzZnD88Qw9kM
No. 1 - The Key Information from Article “I learned that raccoons favor a box with entrance on top.”
No. 2 - The Key Information from Article “What do Raccoons do that most wildlife does not” Climb Trees”
Science Based Predator Management and Public Education using the Best Management Practices tools written by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies – Furbearer Conservation Technical Working Group in consultation with significant contributions from Fur Takers of America and Pennsylvania Game and Fish Commission.
JULY 4, 2025
220 Box Raccoon Camera - Almost 1,000 videos of the 220 Conibear Cubby Box Pre Bait test 5 ft in tree.
Here are the best videos on Day 4 on July 4 of Boar Raccoon.
220 Box Raccoon Camera - Almost 1,000 videos of the 220 Conibear Cubby Box Pre Bait test 5 ft in tree.
Here are the best videos on Day 4 on July 4 of Boar Raccoon.
JULY 2, 2025
220 Box Raccoon Camera - Almost 1,000 videos of the 220 Conibear Cubby Box Pre Bait test 5 ft in tree.
Here are the best videos on Day 2 on July 2 of Boar Raccoon and then TWO Boar Raccoons do a little growling to get into Missouri 220 Cubby Box.
220 Box Raccoon Camera - Almost 1,000 videos of the 220 Conibear Cubby Box Pre Bait test 5 ft in tree.
Here are the best videos on Day 2 on July 2 of Boar Raccoon and then TWO Boar Raccoons do a little growling to get into 220 Cubby Box.
JULY 2, 2025
220 Box Raccoon Camera - Almost 1,000 videos of the 220 Conibear Cubby Box Pre Bait test - 5ft in Tree.
Here are the best photos from videos on Day 2 on July 2 of Sow Raccoon.
220 Box Raccoon Camera - Almost 1,000 videos of the 220 Conibear Cubby Box Pre Bait test, 5 ft in Tree.
Here are the best videos on Day 2 on July 2 of Sow Raccoon.
JULY 1, 2025
220 Box Raccoon Camera - Almost 1,000 videos of the 220 Conibear Cubby Box Pre Bait test - 5ft in Tree.
Here are the best photos from videos on Day 1 on July 1 of Sow Raccoon.
220 Box Raccoon Camera - Almost 1,000 videos of the 220 Conibear Cubby Box Pre Bait test, 5 ft in Tree.
Here are the best videos on Day 1 on July 1 of Sow Raccoon.
5 ft. Pre Bait Box Cubby Testing - The Sow and Older Kit I think are relaxed at the penthouse.
Over 400 of videos in just weeks of, big boars, young boars, sows and kits enjoying the Pre Bait Test 220 Conibear Cubby Set Top Entry 5 ft into tree.
5 ft. Pre Bait Box Cubby Testing - I think this bigger boar could resist either.
5 ft. Pre Bait Box Cubby Testing - I think this young boar is enjoy the long days of summer.
5 ft. Pre Bait Box Cubby Testing - The Sow and Older Kit I think are relaxed at the penthouse.
220 Conibear Box Pre Bait Testing at 5 ft in tree.
93% of Missouri are Private Lands.
There are an estimated 313,000 family forest ownerships in Missouri. Private landowners own approximately 85% of Missouri's forested land, totaling around 15.4 million acres, according to the US Forest Service.
Missouri is home to around 88,000 farms. This makes Missouri the 3rd largest state in the US for the number of farms.
2 million acres of Public Lands in Missouri.
NO. 1 - Support comprehensive trapping and predator management on Private Lands with 220’s and Snares with some restrictions on placement and use! The same tools that our neighboring states game and fish departments for Illinois, Arkansas, Kentucky, Iowa, along with Texas, Maryland, North Dakota, New Mexico, Virginia, Vermont and Orgeon use.
Missouri = 93% Private Land - Illegal 220's on Private Land
Missouri Adjacent States
Illinois = 95% Private Land - Legal - 220's on Private land.
Arkansas = 82% Private Land - Legal 220's on Private Land.
Kentucky = 99% Private Land - Legal 220's on Private Land.
Iowa = 97% Private Land - Legal 220's on Private Land.
Other States
Texas - 95% Private Land - Legal 220's on Private Land.
Maryland - 92% Private Land - Legal 220's on Private Land.
North Dakota - 90% Private Land - Legal 220's on Private Land.
New Mexico - 52% Private Land - Legal 220's on Private Land.
Virginia - 82% Private Land - Legal 220's on Private Land.
Vermont - 84% Private Land - Legal 220's on Private Land.
Orgeon - 39% Private Land - Legal 220's on Private Land.
New Hamphsire 82% Private Land - Legal 220's on Private Land.
Support Thermal Hunting Coyotes January through September!
Summary of 220's Conibear from Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies.
The Best Management Practices tools that the original document was written by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies – Furbearer Conservation Technical Working Group in consultation with significant contributions from Fur Takers of America and Pennsylvania Game and Fish Commission.
This is Example from “THE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES” of what the Anti Landowner Rights are fighting and how I plan to use 220’s on my Missouri Private Land Property by following the above rules.
To me this is very ethical and responsible for my location in Missouri.
The Best Management Practices tools that the original document was written by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies – Furbearer Conservation Technical Working Group in consultation with significant contributions from Fur Takers of America and Pennsylvania Game and Fish Commission that was sent to Missouri Department of Conservation and was approved by Commission in May of 2025, the only difference Missouri will require additional 3" total of 7” are required for a cubby set.
The same documents given to Missouri were used to give Wisconsin the tools to manage Wisconsin Wildlife.
The same Best Management Practices tools that the original document was written by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies – Furbearer Conservation Technical Working Group in consultation with significant contributions from Fur Takers of America and Pennsylvania Game and Fish Commission. That wasu used to give Wisconsin the tools to manage Wisconsin Wildlife.
How to build a Wooden Cubby Box for 220 Conibear.
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Missouri has a long history of Landowners managing the predator population - Missouri Landowner Predator Control Program from 1946 to 1953 in which the Government helped landowners help themselves and saved them over $100,000 in 1953.
Click here to learn more!
History Matters
1930s & 1940s - The Raccoon U.S. harvest averaged about 360,000 per year in the 1930s, increased to about 900,000 per year in the 1940s,.
1946 to 1953 - Missouri Landowner Predator Control Program - (See Complete Program Page from 1953)
1953 - Restoration of the Wild Turkey Started in Missouri
1960s - The Raccoon U.S. harvest averaged increased further to 1.3 million pelts per year in the 1960s
1979 - Restoration of the Wild Turkey Ended in Missouri
1980s - The total North American yearly average harvest of more than 4.4 million pelts in the 1980s makes the raccoon harvest the most valuable of all North American furbearers.
2023 - The Raccoon U.S. harvest will hit a historical low of 100,000 or less pelts per year in the 2023
DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE MORE RIGHTS THAN YOU ON YOUR PRIVATE LAND?
It's called Landowner Rights - Using comprehensive predator management on Private land just like history has proven.
Missouri has a long history of Landowners managing the predator population - Missouri Landowner Predator Control Program from 1946 to 1953 in which the Government finally helped landowners help themselves and saved them over $100,000 in 1953.
Since then Missouri has failed at using the international fur market to manage predator population. But no one forgot to tell the predators because the birth rate is still the same.
MDC Reported - 1940 – 1941 – 834,935 pelts harvested (most pelts sold) (over 70% were opossum and skunk pelts) most pelts sold.
MDC Reported – 2022/2023 – 884 Opossum Pelts and 306 Skunk Pelts sold or registered.
MDC Reported - 1945 – 1946 – Missouri Fur Dealer Permits 1,192.
MDC Reported - 2023 – Missouri Fur Dealer Permits 25.
MDC Reported - 1977 Missouri – 300,000 Raccoons were trapped.
MDC Reported - 1979 – 1980 – 634,338 (2nd highest pelts sold - when average raccoon pelt values were estimated at $27.50.
MDC Reported - 1997 – 1998 – Over 200,000 Raccoons were trapped.
MDC Reported - 2009 - estimated the statewide raccoon population at 1.4 million with annual trapping of 100,000 to 200,000.
MDC Reported - 2010 - estimated the statewide raccoon population at 1 to 2 million with annual trapping of 100,000 to 200,000.
MDC Reported – 2022/2023 – 11,196 Raccoon Pelts sold or registered.
MDC past fur bearer biologist 10 years ago unofficially coyote population was 250,000. They are too numerous to put a number on. Fact today there are more Coyotes in the United States than bears, wolves and mountains combined. The United States is home to an estimated 450,000 Bears, 11,000 Wolves and 30,000 Mountain Lions.
MDC Reported 2022/2023 - 1,196 Coyote Pelts sold or registered
MDC Reported 2013/2014 - 7,631 Coyote Pelts sold or registered
CLICK BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
UNITED STATES
RACCOON HISTORY,
VIRGINIA OPOSSUM,
SKUNKS HISTORY,
COYOTE HISTORY.
220 Conibear Cubby Set
Built my first 220 Conibear cubby set. Future is bright for Private Landowners.
Testing it out see how it fits on tree.
Very cool learning experience to learn a new method of trapping.
Going to have to ask our neighboring state trapping guys from Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky and Arkansas some helpful hints.
Maybe some high school wood working class could build some.
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