Ok, this is our first year trapping, or goals are nest predators reduction and have fun! The property we are trapping is 90 acres with an additional 25 adjacent across a clay road. We have been focusing along a creek and a swamp edge, where we can see tracks. This leaves roughly 75% of the property untouched. Our catch numbers have dropped off drastically in the last two weeks.
How do I best choose trap location for raccoons/possums when I can not see sign (at least tracks, I probably just done know/recognize the sign they are leaving). The rest of the property is a mix of 30 year old unmanaged planted pines and hardwoods with mowed trails and three 1-2 acre green fields. I’ve walked the trails and what dirt I can see without finding tracks? Should I concentrate on trails, intersections, habitat transitions? Thanks in advance!
FYI the landowner has dogs which is why we aren’t targeting coyotes and using DPs.