Hey everyone, took some pictures of a couple of my cat sets, hoping to maybe get some constructive criticism or any advice from you experienced cat trappers. Ive been fairly successful, but always looking for room to improve. Any advice is appreciated. Also thought I'd throw in a picture of a cave painting I found on my cat line.

This set actually ended up catching a cat, after I had taken this picture, but basically just a walk-in dirt hole with some bait buried in back and some lure on either side.


This one was just a walk through headed towards a toilet I had found, two traps, different lure on each peice of tinsel. Big stepping stick between the traps but smaller ones (hard to see) all around each trap.


Another walk through here, bait buried on the far end, underneath the sticks on the right side, gland lure on the rock and curiosity lure on the side with the sticks. You can clearly see the guide sticks around the trap in this one, missed a cat the other day from not having good enough guide sticks so definitely not making that mistake again. Dont have it on any of these sets but a lot of time I like to put a cat dropping between the traps with urine on it. Caught a cat in a set where I had done that. Generally I like to use two traps at a set, just so happens that 2 of 3 of these pictures are one trap sets. Only because I do alot of hiking and it is hard to pack a bunch of traps up to some of these spots.

And finally, just for fun, yesterday stumbled on this. Ive found quite a few of these before but this one was in good condition and the first one i've been able to get picture of. I love finding this stuff.

Cool petroglyph.
Good job
I'm no pro but I block heavier on pics 2 & 3 giving them the pan the only place to step. Example: Pic 2 i put those logs tight on both sides of jaws

looks good sounds like your doing good where are pic. of cats

I am not a cat trapper but I know some would say let the pan show!

They look good to me. It’s always better in the long run to do your own style instead of someone elses.

Great pics Ted.

Was there some kind of human trail or passage there? Do you think it signified anything?

There must have been at point i bet dwellings too. I'm sure it did signify something. Usually where there is 1 there will be more nearby.

Very cool find and great looking sets. It looks like your traps are wired to a rock in one pic, if so I would highly advise against using wire for anchoring anywhere lions can't be 100% ruled out.

Sets look good. Cool old find!!!

Yeah I always try to narrow them in as much as possible, I’m always just scared of a guide rock or stick getting knocked into the trap nd firing it. Lol

Coming soon once I get a couple more!

I think it was a hunting blind or possibly just a dwelling, there was a giant line of rocks piled up at the entrance I think may have been used for cover or maybe even a wind break.

Yep, I usually wire from the rock to something else as well, but very good point. I havent caught a lion yet, but if I do it needs to hold him, I can see why tie wire wouldn’t be enough. Would you trust some bigger 9 or 11 gauge wire to something more solid or try to stay away from it altogether? I use wire a lot cause usually there’s no way to get an earth anchor in.

I’ve found several like this in the area, but always just one picture usually of a stick man or a stick man doing something. There is one I haven’t been able to get a picture of that shows a man with what looks like a bird above and the sun above that.

Don't blame you Marten Ted.

That's cool maybe a local museum or college would have in depth info on those petroglyphs. Most won't charge you to examine your findings. I know nothing about the tribes in your area. NM has lots of petroglyphs and a national monument named Petroglyphs National Monument in Albuquerque.

Do you have any aircraft cable? I make my own extension cables for similar scenarios. I make mine about 5'+ and comes in handy in those rocky areas + when used in an exposed set it makes setting a lot faster

I use mb super stakes with 20" of #3 chain. They are a pain to drive in rocky or frozen ground and can take 2 or 3 attempts to get them in, I leave them for future years so the trouble is an investment. I also chain to trees. I see some using doubled over 9 gauge wire but that seems sketchy to me. Drags and clogs are other options.