Duke Traps Heavy Duty X-Large Cage Trap, 36X15X14

I live in a rural area of a small town in California. Over the years I have had more than my share of “critters” (possums, skunks, and raccoon) make a visit looking for food which usually ends up with some property destruction. That destruction went to a higher level over the last several weeks causing substantial destruction to portion of the lawn where the animal had literally dug up the grass looking for what I believe is/are grubs. I used a medium cage (26”x/11”x11”) in the past to catch some of these critters but the last couple of weeks I have not captured this very destructive animal since it appears to be too big for my present cage . Although I found the trap door shut and the food/bait gone, no critter was captured. I figured my cage was too small and when the door came down the animal's body prevented the door from securing shut.I started looking for a bigger/better live cage and came across Duke Traps Heavy Duty X-Large Cage Trap. I received this product two days ago and set it up immediately. The first night I had no success but on the second night I caught “THE” critter (unfortunately not before it did the most lawn destruction yet). As I expected, it was a very large raccoon and the trap worked GREAT! My previous/smaller cage was configurated with a bait “hook” which required the critter to pull back on the baited hook to trigger the door. With the Duke Trap the triggering of the door is associated with a “sensor pad” which, when stepped on, releases the door which latches thereafter. I find this to be much more effective and easier to use than the bait “hook.”If you are looking for a really good, well built, and effective cage/trap I would highly recommend this one, Model 111(36”x14”x15”).KenYucaipa, CA

I have used all sizes and brands of live catch box traps. I have used name brand H.H. and farm store brands most small traps the triggers work fine, but i have found as the size goes up to raccoon traps those trigger trays are not good enough. On coyote size trap it just was never going to work and after a racoon or two trashing those traps all of the were ditched for an external rat trap trigger.No i have not caught an animal in this yet and if i just set the trap in the most secure position it is very stiff. but move the contact to the ends of the rods and it triggers just right. without lengthy detail it seems very secure.I do not like the bait hatch so i will ziptie that shut and toss in the bait as i do with other traps. I do have the midsize H.H. double door trap and though not raccoon size it is a good trap with a very effective trigger.I dislike leaving a review before extensive use, but i have used box traps and this tray is larger than other traps and it will be more likely critters that might reach over will be forced into triggering this one. It may be a good idea to put some grass over that mesh though. I will update.

These are great traps.But I got busy, and didn’t take it out of the box until after my return period was closed.The right front bar was pushed in so far the ring wouldn’t slide up. The right middle was also.And the top left of the cage has several broken cage wires.Overall, I’m very disappointed to have to live with a brand new, broken trap.I WAS able to bend the front bar enough to make it functional, though.If you buy one, open it IMMEDIATELY and make sure everything works.

This trap arrived a day sooner than promised...so about 4 days after I ordered it. Although it is Made in China :(, I am pleased with the sturdiness and construction. Setting it is NOT fiddly (unlike Havahart). The trap pedal actually raises high enough to be useful, and there is a little opening at the back of the cage to put a lure directly there instead of having to shake it into place. One complaint is that the food opening did not come with any sort of latch so I had to wire it. But that is pretty minor, and I'm not going to ding the stars for it. It has so far caught 2 cats in the 4-5 lb weight. I'm actually trying to catch a fox that is eating my chickens, but I'm glad it trips easily enough for small creatures.

Hmmm, received the trap, Model 1114 by Duke, described for larger animals including feral cats. Clearly large enough to do the job. My cage was colored olive drab, which I liked. The cage came without any documentation so you get to figure out setting the trap yourself. The trap comes fully assembled, it's just sort of figuring out how the trap is set and the door shuts when tripped. You can go on YouTube and get the idea, although the videos I watched were poorly made, especially from DUKE. So, I estimate that this trap will give you years of service. Once you master the mechanism, it should be very effective. Its relatively light, although this model may required two people to lift if you have a large racoon or cat in the trap. The trap will fit in the back of a SUV, PU Truck and even a reasonably sized trunk of a car. Remember, transport will required some type of plastic drop sheet for urine/waste. While you can probably feed (watering might be difficult) a critter in the cage, it is really meant to capture and then move to another type of enclosure or release. So, this cage should be checked daily.