I'm wanting to try something similar to a dogproof trap used with conibears. Basically you attach a plastic mailbox vertically to a tree with the opening facing down. The coon (or cat) tries to climb into the box to get bait and get's whacked by a coni. Has anyone ever tried these on feral cats on purpose or on accident? How did they work? Any input would be great.

I don't know much about your location or how often you will be checking your traps but I would consider using a running pole with footholds. This gives you the flexability to release any unwanted catch.

I may suggest using a 160 size coni. Accidentally got a feral cat in a chicken coop with a bucket and a duke 220. That bigger trap didn't do what it was intended to.

What is a running pole?

Someone of Polish descent in a marathon.

Check your state and local laws... lethal traps for feral cats in Illinois would be VERY illegal. As much as I hate feral cats, can't do much about them due to the lunacy written into laws here protecting cats.

Cats have no problem crawling into an 8"x8"x24" cage trap. If your going to carry a wood box to hang on a tree and a conni to place in it, you might just as well cut the weight by more than half and use a cage trap. You can set these anywhere and not worry about hanging on trees. You can also release any non-targets.

TUW is a government trapper in Hawaii. They have a serious problem with Non-native species destroying native species and their habitat. They have an enlightend attitude towards ferral anything, especially cats.

Every cat that has gone near my fisher traps was caught. I use 160's and cages I built. I also have large mail boxes that I cut to accept the 160. I bought them from http://www.continentalproducts.com/newspaperboxes-duratube.html
The king size works very well for the 160. I would put them on a leaning pole no bigger than than 3" dia. 5' off of the ground. Keeps the dogs out but cats and fisher have no problem getting into them. Good luck!
Dan

A running pole is a leaning tree that your animal would climb up to get at your bait usually they would lean less than 45 degrees for easier climbing. you cover your bait to prevent bird captures.Once caught your catch will hang from the tree in the foothold you must check your traps daily as an animal will die if left hanging pretty quickly. I have caught bobcats this way,I usully try to avoid house cats.

Care to share a picture of this set? Either on here or via PM.

There are pictures of leaning pole sets on page 9 of general trapping archive without the boxes. All you need is a box to accept your conibear and strap it to the tree however you wish.Make sure your trap is attached secuerly to the tree.

I have been adding flags and feathers to my box trap areas.
Really has helped with the cat catch!