Duke Traps is a brand that specializes in making humane animal traps, as well as trap setting and animal handling equipment. Their range of products includes traps, snares, lures, baits, trap setters, and other trapping accessories.
- The company was founded in 1949 by Tony and Lauran Swope in West Point, Mississippi.
- In the early days, Duke Traps produced its signature coil spring traps in the basement of the Swope’s home.
- Since then, Duke Traps has grown into a leading producer of humane animal traps, with their products being used by conservationists, animal control officers, and hunters all over the world.
Havahart is a popular brand that also specializes in humane animal traps. Their products are widely available through most big-box stores and online retailers. Compared to Duke Traps, Havahart has a more extensive product line that includes trap accessories like mats, covers, and trap dividers.
Tomahawk Live Trap is another top player in the field of animal traps. Like Duke Traps, they also produce humane traps and accessories, but primarily focus on traps for larger animals like coyotes, raccoons, and foxes. Tomahawk Live Trap has been around since 1925 and is known for their quality, handcrafted traps.
Wildlife Control Supplies is a company that produces and sells animal control products to professionals in the pest control and wildlife management industry. Their product line includes traps, baits, lures, and repellents. Compared to Duke Traps, their focus is more on pest control than animal welfare.
These are humane traps used to catch small- to medium-sized animals like raccoons, squirrels, and skunks. They come in a range of sizes and are made out of galvanized steel wire mesh.
These are designed to kill animals quickly and humanely. Duke Traps produces a range of sizes of body grip traps that are used to catch larger animals like beavers, bobcats, and otters.
Snares are wire nooses that are placed in animal paths to catch them. Duke Traps produces a range of snares for different types of animals, including coyotes, rabbits, and foxes.
Duke Traps produces a range of lures and baits to attract different types of animals. These include paste baits, liquid lures, and aerosol lures.
In addition to traps and baits, Duke Traps also produces a range of specialized equipment like trap setters, anchoring stakes, and safety gloves to help trappers safely set and handle their traps.
The appropriate trap size depends on the size and weight of the animal you are trying to catch. As a rule of thumb, the trap should be large enough for the animal to fit inside comfortably, but not so large that it can move around or escape.
It depends on your location and the type of animal you are trying to trap. Some states and municipalities have regulations around the use of certain traps. Make sure to check your local laws before setting any animal traps.
The type of bait used depends on the animal that you are trying to trap. Duke Traps produces a range of lures and baits for different kinds of animals, which can be used in conjunction with each other or on their own. Try placing the bait towards the back of the trap to encourage the animal to step on the trigger plate.
It is recommended that you check your traps at least once every 24 hours to minimize the amount of time the animal is trapped. If you do catch an animal, try to release it as quickly and safely as possible.
No, Duke Traps are not recommended for catching birds. They are only meant to be used for catching small- to medium-sized mammals like raccoons, squirrels, and skunks.