Are cage traps mainly used where foot holds are not legal or are they another effective set to add anywhere?

I'm in IL and drew a tag this year. I'm wondering if it's worth it to build/buy a couple cage traps or if I should just stick to my #2 and #3 coyote traps.

I would stick to what you have and are familiar with.

I can't imagine using a cage trap if you are allowed to use foot holds. From what I've heard from trappers forced to use cage traps only, it's not that easy to get an animal to go into a live trap.

For animals that cage easily like coons it's nice to have the option especially in urban areas.
As for cats cages give the option of excluding most canines (coyotes) but may pick up fox, coons and opossum.

If you have them use them but I would not go out and buy a cage it would not be worth it, foot traps #1 pick any day if legal. Seems here most cages don't produce as well as foot traps and when they do it's smaller cats.

Thanks guys. I don't really want to spend the money or time if they are less effective.

I was also worried I'd be catching coons and possums instead of cats.

Cages are nice if you want to be selective with whcih cat you ultimately harvest.

I know some that have good success with bobcats in cage traps. When I draw a tag, I intend to buy and set out at least 1 cage trap. Bobcat cage traps are pricey and bulky though, so I don't see myself going overboard.
Cable restraints work around here and are inexpensive.

u will still catch plenty of possums and coons with foot hold when targeting cats. Especially if u use bait or food base lure. When I target cats in my area I just expect I'm going to have to work through some possums and coons.

Worse thing a coon does to your bobcat cage is ruin your flagging inside the cage. Coon in your nondragged foothold ruins your entire set location.

I think when I get a highly coveted bobcat tag I may try to trap the crap out of the coons and opossums PRIOR to the cat opener.

I'm betting CRs will kill every cat you catch. I've killed cats just by using a choke stick to remove them from foot holds. They go down real easy.

I can't do snares on land in IL.

Gotta video on buildinghour own cage traps on Youtube if your intrested

Lay it on me.

Stick to using foot holds. Your options are so much better then using a cage trap.

There are any number of cat trappers in the west that use cages. Even in states where they aren't required. And some of these guys catch a decent number of cats.

Its good to release females and kittens. Females usually don't have a nice belly anyway.

For the most part this cat thing In the Midwest Is a trophy thing. It takes years to get a tag In WI so we probably aren't going to sell It. So color or lack of Isn't going to make any diffrence.

Releasing cats from foot holds Is not a problem. Cats don't fight a trap to hard and you don't see any foot damage on them.

Yeah, I'm keeping and tanning the first thing I catch. After that I will be pickier.

I'm also in the process of making a "release" pole.