Porcupine sets

[Direwolfe]

At my deer hunting property (NE LP) I've been fertilizing the "medium sized" oaks for faster growth and more acorns. This fertilizing must make them targets for the porcupines because they will hit them after a few years, girdling the tops and literally setting the trees back several years at a time. I have about 100 apple trees that I've grafted and planted there. They're getting to the size to support a porkie's weight and I hate to think of the porkie munching them.

I'd like to reduce the population to the extent I can (legally, ethically, etc.). Right now am using one live trap. Read that a salt solution is good bait but no luck. Heard that salted apples are a good choice. Will try that next. Want to set multiple traps but don't want to buy multiple live traps.

I understand there's no closed season but can I legally trap them? If so, I would appreciate advice on what size/mechanism (e.g. leg hold/ body hold) traps I should use, bait, and where/how to set the traps . I can't get up there often so its got to be done over three-day weekends etc.

I looked back at previous posts and not seen anything directly on point, but if I've missed a thread, let me know. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Northcountry]

Direwolfe,

I can relate to your concern...and it is a serious one. I have watched porkies kill..not just injure...large areas of trees. What is most aggravating is that they will often girdle the top of a mature tree in a single night, and never return to it! They kill the whole tree for one measly dinner :rant: I have literally watched this from my tree stand...and in the following year found the trees standing dead.

Anyway, I'm not aware of any porcupine-specific sets, but I can tell you that any dirt hole set with urine (fox, coyote, bobcat, etc) will attract them. They are also attracted to "interesting" smelling call lures. Not that of tainted meat...just curiosity type smells. Use a dirt hole set and #2 foothold trap where the porkies are feeding...and you will catch them.

You should NOT set traps before Oct-15. Also, you should anchor your traps properly in case you catch a coyote. Do not set traps haphazardly.

Good luck.

[FREEPOP]

I've caught a few using fox urine. From what I hear they really like treated wood too, maybe some saw dust or something of that sort.

[Liv4Trappin]

Caught a few last season with #2 coils.
Just a double dirt hole set with urine and canine food lure.

Mike

[Tecumseh]

If you know where the porkies are doing damage you may be better suited to just hunt them. I come across porkies quite a bit in trees and on the ground while bird hunting. Once I see that porkies are doing damage I start surveying the trees and see them quite a bit. This weekend we killed 2. Good luck. There are way too many porkies right now.

[Direwolfe]

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. If I see one while hunting I terminate it with extreme prejudice.
I went home last night and welded up some re-rod stakes.
Fox urine as a bait makes sense due to their attraction to salts. Maybe if, before I go to make the sets, I eat a bag of pretzels....

[Northcountry]

If I see one while hunting I terminate it with extreme prejudice.


I see porkies all the time, since I'm in the woods more days than not. I cant think of a single time that I have killed one as a forestry-management action...though I know I probably should. I just cant get into the idea of killing something and then just leaving it. I know theyre supposed to be good eating but I'm not always looking for more meat, ya know? I do endorse the idea of killing them if you want to keep your timber alive and in good shape. In "unmanaged" woods, they kill trees which in turn become food and shelter for other things. I guess thats their place.

They seem to have a very good sense of smell, so maybe you could shave off some fresh beech cambium and use it for bait. They sure chew on alot of the beech trees in my area.

Remember, dirt hole sets with lots of eye appeal are what you want. They seem to be attracted to the fresh digging...though I have caught quite alot of them in flat sets with no eye appeal at all.

Good luck and let us know if you identify a good bait or lure!

[FREEPOP]

I've caught them next to old rotted stumps that something had been digging around.

Good info here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porcupine

[Nine Milly]

do people skin and tan porcupine? How?

[FREEPOP]

There is a market for some of their hair/quills for headresses for Indians.