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Kamler, J.F.; Richardson, C.; Gipson, P.S.
Comparison of standard and modified soft catch traps for capturing coyotes, bobcats, and raccoons
2000 Conference Proceeding
Capture rates and injury rates of coyotes (_Canis latrans_), bobcats {_Lynx rufus_), and raccoons (_Procyon lotor_) captured in standard No. 3 Soft Catch© traps were compared to those captured in the same trap type modified with the Taos Lightening SpringT (TLS) double torsion spring. All traps were equipped with Paws-I-TripT pan tension devices and were successful in excluding most small nontarget species. We captured 15 coyotes and 17 bobcats from October 1995 to March 1997. In addition, 23 raccoons, a large nontarget species, were captured. Capture rates for coyotes were higher (P < 0.10) in TLS modified traps (92%) than standard traps (27%), whereas capture rates were similar (P > 0.10) for raccoons (85% and 67%, respectively) and identical for bobcats (100%). Injury rates were minimal (< 9%) for coyotes and bobcats in both types of traps. In contrast, injury rates for raccoons were higher (P < 0.10) in TLS modified traps (73%) than standard traps (33%).
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