Pullstart 66,373 #1 Posted May 8 This hole is the size of my fist! Any takers on what could do such damage, and fit through the hole? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike'sHorseBarn 3,232 #2 Posted May 8 I've had first hand experience with raccoons chewing through wire like that, but that hole would be too small for one of any kind of size. Have a close up picture of the hair? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Newbie 7,393 #3 Posted May 8 Juvenile Tasmanian Devil ??? 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 66,373 #4 Posted May 8 27 minutes ago, Mike'sHorseBarn said: I've had first hand experience with raccoons chewing through wire like that, but that hole would be too small for one of any kind of size. Have a close up picture of the hair? I’ll see if I can get a better picture of the hair, and damage. We have woodchucks and raccoons prominent here. I’d imagine either could be strong and desperate enough to get out. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 8,238 #5 Posted May 8 Last coon I caught reached outside of the trap and dug a 2" deep grove around the perimeter. I was relocating some ground hogs and he went for the bait. It was a big coon but it did not try to eat the wire. It was pissed. When I unlatched the door it bugged out. That small hole is interesting. Can a Wiesel do that? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 9,293 #6 Posted May 8 Raccons have thumbs, maybe they know how to use side cutter pliers?? 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 66,373 #7 Posted May 8 36 minutes ago, JoeM said: That small hole is interesting. Can a Wiesel do that? I am not saying we don’t have weasels, but I’ve never seen one. I have no real knowledge about them. Also, I’ll note that I have shot through this trap once or thrice in the past. The hole could have been present by bullet wound, but much smaller. Enough to peak some interest to escape? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 29,336 #8 Posted May 8 (edited) Could have possibly been a fisher. They are a very aggressive animal that would fit through that hole. Edited May 8 by Achto 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 41,648 #9 Posted May 8 I hear these guys are nasty when they get cornered. 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 28,223 #10 Posted May 8 I'm guessing chipmunk. Their holes are bout that size... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,576 #11 Posted May 8 I doubt you have weasels or fishers as they like more heavily wooded areas than what you have. Not impossible tho I guess. Dan's right about the fishers tho they can be nasty. I got some pics of them at my deer stand I'll have to "hunt" them down... I have had coons bust a wire on my live traps but never a hole big enough to escape. Ditch the live traps for coons and go get one of these. Bait with dry cat food. https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/duke-co-dog-proof-racoon-trap/0000000073958 . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne0 1,143 #12 Posted May 8 1 hour ago, WHX?? said: I doubt you have weasels or fishers as they like more heavily wooded areas than what you have. Not impossible tho I guess. Dan's right about the fishers tho they can be nasty. I got some pics of them at my deer stand I'll have to "hunt" them down... I have had coons bust a wire on my live traps but never a hole big enough to escape. Ditch the live traps for coons and go get one of these. Bait with dry cat food. https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/duke-co-dog-proof-racoon-trap/0000000073958 . You won't be letting them go unless it involves lead. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 8,238 #13 Posted May 8 2 hours ago, WHX?? said: I doubt you have weasels they like to hang around chicken coops. My neighbor had to weasel prof his. some kind of deal with the wire. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 41,648 #14 Posted May 8 17 minutes ago, JoeM said: they like to hang around chicken coops Really picky eaters. They only like the chicken heads. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darb1964 1,113 #15 Posted May 9 Raccoons are very strong and well pull anything they can get a hold of and pull it into the trap. They are very easy to catch with tuna fish. They can pull a cheap trap apart. Woodchuck are very easy to catch with a Apple and the trap isn't in danger of them damaging it. In my experience a mink will make about that size hole and they are reasonably easy to catch with tuna fish. Fisher about the same just bigger. They both are very strong and if the trap doesn't close very tight they can push their way out. Just for knowledge it is against the law in every state to relocate wild animals. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 66,373 #16 Posted May 9 Just now, Darb1964 said: Just for knowledge it is against the law in every state to relocate wild animals. Thanks Darb, I give them a proper burial 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 8,238 #17 Posted May 9 Really picky eaters 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites