Most gamekeepers, at some point, find themselves dealing with predators or some type of nuisance critter. Nationwide, the one species credited with creating the costliest damage continues to be feral hogs, and even that small, pesky bird—the starling—ranks among the costliest nuisance species. However, for those of us working on the ground every day, there are three species that continually pop up on our radar. These three may go unnoticed by many, but they can be costly to our management programs.
Our “big three” across most of the country are raccoons, coyotes, and beavers. If you are focusing your management efforts on turkeys, raccoons should be your number one target. Likewise, coyotes can—and in many cases do—have an impact on deer populations.
I include beavers because if you have any water on your property or attempt any type of water management, beavers can quickly become a problem. Which of these species you must deal with depends on your geographic location and the topography of your property. There are also other species that can create localized problems, including opossums, skunks, and foxes.
If you have spent a lot of time outdoors over the past twenty-plus years, you may feel that the numbers of these species are increasing. It’s not your imagination. Many of what we call mesopredators (medium-sized predators) are on the rise. I began trapping when I was around 11 years old in the 1960s, and by the time I was 14, I had a trapline I ran after school each afternoon. It was mainly water trapping back then for mink, muskrat, and raccoons. Believe it or not, I did not see a beaver in my home county until around 1970, and it was another ten years before I saw my first coyote there. Today, we are dealing with large numbers of coyotes, raccoons, and beavers.
If you are a land manager, you should consider implementing trapping into your management operation. Below are some reasons and a few basic methods to get started.
Duke Traps
Raccoons
If I had to choose one of the big three to target this year, it would be raccoons. Raccoons have a tremendous impact on turkey nests. Some members of your club may point to other species—such as skunks, opossums, or foxes—but overall, raccoons are consistently the most effective nest predators. Raccoons versus turkey nests is a national problem. Back in the 1980s, shooting and trapping were effective because raccoon numbers were lower. Today, with much higher populations, raccoons remain the front-runner for destroying turkey nests.
When trapping raccoons, my two favorite methods are using a homemade box set with a Duke 220 body-grip trap installed inside, or the Duke Dog Proof trap, which I frequently recommend to landowners I work with. According to Bill Duke of Duke Traps, “The Duke DP Coon Trap is the most species-specific trap on the market.” The best baits are usually marshmallows or vanilla extract; better yet, both baits are unlikely to attract domestic dogs or cats, which can cause problems with neighbors.
On my own land, I have also worked out an arrangement with two local coon hunters. They are allowed to hunt anytime outside of deer season, with the understanding that if they tree a raccoon, it must be harvested. Many coon hunters prefer not to shoot every raccoon, so there are still plenty to hunt, but I told these guys plainly, “I need coons gone.” As always, hunting and trapping regulations vary by state, so be sure to check your local regulations before beginning.
Another way to reduce predation on turkey nests does not involve trapping or shooting but instead focuses on feeding practices. Research now shows that while trapping and shooting can reduce raccoon numbers, eliminating deer feeding during turkey nesting season should also be considered. Providing unlimited feed for deer artificially elevates raccoon numbers far beyond natural carrying capacity. In many areas with heavy feeding, turkey nest success appears lower. Postponing deer feeding until the first week of August may help increase poult survival by temporarily dispersing raccoons. This practice, combined with intensive trapping, can help turkey numbers rebound.
While these strategies can help, it’s important to remember that nearly everything walking, crawling, or flying will eat a turkey egg given the opportunity. Even armadillos have been documented eating eggs. While this is likely not a significant source of predation, a turkey egg is probably a welcome surprise after digging for insect grubs. Still, don’t waste your time chasing every predator—focus your efforts on raccoons.
Raccoons are intelligent enough to key in on turkey nests, even increasing their home ranges during nesting season and shifting from bottomland habitats to upland areas as turkeys adjust their movements.
Another important point about turkeys is that adult gobblers are rarely taken by predators because they roost in trees at night. Hens, however, do not have this luxury. They remain on the ground throughout nesting and during the early stages of brood rearing, at least until poults are able to fly into trees. Some studies have shown that most poult mortality occurs within two weeks after hatching, with as many as 75 percent lost by early September. The more management tools you implement, the better your results will be.
A friend recently sent me a newspaper clipping reporting that one county is now paying a bounty on raccoons. While this may sound effective, it can become costly and does not guarantee localized population reductions. Broad, untargeted removal efforts often fail, while focused trapping programs on specific properties can produce positive results.
Holly Kuchera
Coyotes
There is little doubt that coyotes prey on deer. Numerous food-habit studies show deer remains in coyote diets throughout the year, particularly during summer when fawns make up a large portion of their intake.
One hunter I know who became serious about coyote trapping is Buck Horton from Arkansas. Horton, an avid bowhunter, decided it was time to reduce coyotes on his family farm. He said, “I listened to stories my dad and grandfather told about running traplines years ago, so when I was around 17, I started watching videos and decided to try it.” Horton taught himself to trap by watching YouTube videos. “The first year I caught one bobcat and one coyote,” he said, “and I was hooked.”
He later joined a local trapper association, which helped refine his techniques. Today, he primarily uses several variations of dirt-hole sets to target coyotes on his farm and neighboring properties. Horton added, “Next to bowhunting, trapping remains my favorite outdoor activity.” You can follow his trapping efforts on Instagram at @thebuckhorton.
Beavers
A few beavers can create excellent habitat for many wildlife species, but once numbers increase, lowland areas can flood quickly, killing forests and eliminating productive habitat. In Alabama alone, annual losses to forest inventory have exceeded $19 million. It’s hard to believe that beavers were scarce until the 1960s, when they began repopulating nearly every river drainage in the United States.
For those managing water levels for ducks, even a small trickle of water can attract beavers that block water-control structures overnight. Trapping beavers is relatively straightforward but requires hard work. My preferred tool is the 330 body-grip trap, though I have also used footholds and snares. Each has its place, but the 330 often makes the job easier. Simply locate a dam, create a small breach, and set the trap—what I call a “broke-dam” set.
Dan Pepper
In many states, beaver trapping is allowed well into spring, and in some cases year-round, due to their nuisance status.
If you don’t have time to implement a trapping program this year, make plans for next year. Summer is the perfect time to attend your state’s annual trapping conference or one of the many trapping seminars held across the country.
Trapping is not something most people master overnight. According to Bill Duke of Duke Traps, “Anyone who has spent time outdoors already has the basic skills needed to begin trapping.” It’s often a learn-as-you-go process. That’s how I started as a kid, with guidance from my neighbor Tom Lewis, our county game warden, and a single trapping book from the school library.
Today, there are hundreds of books and endless YouTube videos available. One of the best resources remains Guide to Trapping by Jim Spencer. Though published nearly 20 years ago, it is still highly relevant today.
Many states have Fur Harvesters or Fur Takers Associations, and several require trapper education for beginners. These programs, much like hunter education, provide an excellent foundation. Associations also sponsor workshops and meetings, offering opportunities to learn from experienced trappers who are often willing to mentor newcomers.
Overall, trapping participation is at an all-time low. With fur prices down, many trappers have aged out or quit altogether. As we move into 2026, it is imperative that gamekeepers step up and incorporate trapping into management plans. Effective trapping allows managers to target specific locations and problem animals. You can no longer rely on someone else to do this work for you as was common decades ago.
For those wanting to learn more, one excellent resource is Mossy Oak University, particularly the trapping section on nest raiders by Alan Probst. For trap selection, visit Duke Traps for additional information.
-
Join our weekly newsletter or subscribe to Gamekeepers Magazine.
Your source for information, equipment, know-how, deals and discounts to help you get the most from every hard-earned moment in the field.
