When making a set just for cats is there a rule-of-thumb as far as trap placement from the hole?

Do the work a set just as a coyote or fox would,or do they stand a little closer to the hole?

Whats your BEST producing set for cats?

I set mine just like I do for fox except I move my trap jaw about 1 -1 1/2" away from the hole. I also use nothing less than a #2 for cats. I bolded all the I's so everyone would know that Iam saying this is the way Ido it. So if someone feels that the way Ido it is wrong, keep it to yourself, just tell how you set your cat traps in your area.

I hope I don't sound to upset here. Just tired of see people tell other they are all wrong for the way they trap.

My best cat set is that I make a dirt hole just like I do for fox but I place my trap about 9-10 inches from the hole. I put nothing in the hole as far as food but I use backing and put urine on it and then I scatter chicken feathers around the set and shove some feathers down the hole like something has been buried. Then I place tiny little guide sticks just like the video of Randy Biggerstaffs Cat trapping dixie style. Works like a charm. I will say that I have caught as many cats on a walk through set with no hole or bait at all. Just feathers and sticks.

What kind of feathers do you use?

That is a good pic, I have not seen that one. Good size cat also.

I use quail or duck feathers myself. I did not know this till I saw it on the site, you need to check your laws to make sure what is legal to use. White featers seem to work best for me also.

thanks

I raise chickens so I pluck several roosters and place the feathers in ziplock bags and keep them in my box I have in the truck. As far as colors, I believe that if the cat sees feathers, he is gonna investigate. You cant use enough feathers so dont be too stingy! Like Michael said, this is only from my experience.

Good post! I can't use feathers here unless they are 25 feet away from the set.

Wonder why that is? I know Arkansas is the same way. I wonder why they want let you use attractors. In Ar, you can't use animal part with in so many feet and if you use them at a hole, they have to be total burried I believe.

Does anyone know why you can't use feathers at a set in some state?

im guessin birds of prey ... god knows we dont have enuff !! LMAO

yep,not allowed here either because their worried you'll catch a eagle,owl,or hawk.

but,we can use fake stuff,fake fur,fake feathers,etc.

Here too playin4, no animal parts within however many feet of set. Hey Howard, lol, I do like how YOU describe how YOU do it, my goodness, someone might think that you were implying that YOUR way was the ONLY way to do it. Ha Ha. Curiosity killed the cat, make it gawdy, and the cat will have to investigate.

I like gawdy for cats also. You come to think of it, I use a lot of down from wood ducks. I do have some problem with some of it blowing off. I try to get it to hang up in backing.

Also, I was talking to one person that keeps tell everyone how they should make every set of every kind in every part of this great land of ours. LOL Sorry if it came out wrong to some.

The best set for cats is the one that is set on location.......

Remember, cats are pretty much dumber than the ground you are standing on. Set on sign. Forget everything you were ever taught about trapping and make your sets look like an 8 year old made them. That my friend will catch you cats. Money in the bank.

Don't rule out the use of snares if they are legal where you are at.

One time, early on in my trapping career, I made a set for trapwise coyotes (Which turned out to be coons) involving a dirthole set with no bait, lure, or urine. I caught a cat in it.

I've caught cats at that spot many times since then, in every set imagineable, more recently I don't waste time with flagging, guiding, or building a rock cubby around a dirthole. Not neccesary when a urine post will work just the same, in that spot. It's just a little saddle on a ridge with a cow trail coming from a pond meeting up with the edge of the woods where two logging roads branch off.

Not sure about all that...but OK...

As far as the original question, no matter how far back you set the trap, an almost vertical hole will make a cat come in on his feet, and a horizontal hole will make him come in on his belly.

That make sense too me.

how long do you leave a cat set before moving on?