I know this video is really old but I bought this same trap today based on good reviews. I actually did catch a wild tom cat that managed to somehow muscle his way out of it through the entry point (weird) while I was loading the trap into the back of my pickup truck. It sucks that he came out, but good thing it wasn't at 60 mph😂. Gonna give it another shot & if another cat escapes I'm taking that crap back to harbor freight lol.

wish i had seen this earlier my wood chuck escaped

Thank you. I have been going crazy trying to figure this out.

Thanks, Brian! This is a great video...very clear and useful. Good luck with the squirrel!!

if you have a skunk in there I don't see this as being easy to release. Any methods to use that thing with a skunk ?

Thank you so much. I couldn't figure out what to do with the pin from the instructions.

Confused on how to open that door with the safety pin lock without also needing a screw driver or scissors. Racoons or a cat could easily scratch you while trying to undo the safety pin right? Need to see a longer video to understand how this works from set up to release

Great info, i have the same trap. U just improved it. Thx

Thanks a lot, this worked good for me. Caught 2 cats in less than an hour!

Thanks for taking the time to post it!

Exactly what I was looking for. Haven't used it for many years and I forgot it had a rod. I've lent it out many times and now I need to use it, it's missing the rod and chain. I'll go make something to make it work. Thank You.

I purchased the same Harbor Freight humane trap, and an animal managed to force its way out of the trap, pulling off the front door in the process. I am hoping that someone will see this comment and point me in the direction of something that will help me repair and reattach the front door so I can continue using the trap. Thank you.

Very nicely explained .No need to read manual .

I just discovered this style cage and we have a lot of semi feral cats. We are required to bring them in traps to get fixed.. and I have one that I own and another that I borrowed but is essentially broken and doesn't close you have to do it manually. I like the idea of a rear door and my 50 dollar one doesn't have it.. . I can bring two cats in at a time so anyway...

Good advice. Haven't taken them out if the box yet.

Thanks for this video! I had trapped a cat recently; it was pretty terrified. Once I approached the cage to cover it with a towel, the cat pushed with all its might and in one fell swoop ejected itself from the other side of the cage. The trap door side from which it entered. It was so scary! I did see the cat on another occasion and I fully expected to see it's face injured pretty badly but luckily it was fine. How did this happen? I am certain the trap door was set correctly. Thank you.

Thank you Brother. I wound up just using the clipto secure the door and ignoring the oin altogether, and my pin says it is a safety stake on the instructions, with I find rediculous.

awsome thank u I had so many problems with the best way thx bro

I didn’t know what the stick was I thought it’s for staking to the ground to keep the cage in one place

I still think I will use a plastic zip tie for added insurance. the last cat got out (not sure how it was set but it got out)

The chain and bar mechanism that comes with these traps is responsible for the bad reputation HF traps have with people who do TNR regularly. The chain and bar and safety clip should be discarded as soon as you get the trap. What DOES work in an intuitive and foolproof way to secure the rear door on these traps is a 1" steel spring clamp also sold at Harbor Freight. Here is a link, although if this link becomes a dud over time just go to the HF site and look for a 1" steel spring clamp. They are usually on sale for 99 cents. www.harborfreight.com/1-inch-capacity-steel-spring-clamp-39569.html The advantage of the clamp is it works without fail, it's quick to put on or take off and will cause no confusion with the vet staff who will be working with the trap once you deliver the trapped cat to the vet. It will hold the door tightly shut even with a raccoon inside. I've been using these traps and the spring clamps for eight years doing TNR and unconditionally recommend using these small strong clamps to secure the rear door. It is extremely important to know with these HF traps that you need to put tie-wraps on the spring door once the cat is trapped. A cat full of adrenaline (remember, a truly feral cat, even a small one, has amazing strength when they are trapped and in survival mode). They can force their way through the bottom of the spring door. This usually happens during transit - which results in the cat suddenly finding itself in a completely unfamiliar environment and of course you'll never see that cat again, plus sit will now be "trap shy" for the rest of its life and thus more difficult to trap. So. Use two tie-wraps, one on each corner, securing the bottom of the spring door to the trap body. With each of my traps I use a tie-wrap to hold about ten new tie-wraps onto the trap so they will always be at hand. This is extremely important to do. Some trap designs are more secure than the HF traps and don't need this extra precaution but those traps are also more expensive. The HF traps are fine if used while taking into account the points I've mentioned. 1. Throw away the bar and chain crap that comes with the trap and use a steel spring clamp for securing the rear door. 2. Have tie-wraps at hand to secure the spring door once you've trapped the cat, especially before you pick up the trap to take the trapped critter to the vet or clinic. 3. Check for sharp edges or wire points inside the trap when you first get the trap. Mike in San Diego

Brilliant!

The video would have been better if you gave a demonstration of how the cage works from setting it up, setting the trip mechanism, and then releasing the animal. It wouldn't have taken that much longer and would have helped those of us who are thinking of buying this trap. Also, you never mentioned that is the rear of the cage you are describing. I initially thought how is that end of the cage going to catch an animal if the door closes from the bottom up.

Thanks!! If you want to see the cage in action check out, "Harbor Freight Animal Trap In Action." I caught a squirrel but it wasn't Snaggle Tooth. Only a matter of time I suppose. :)

You're welcome! :)

How do you keep then from escaping from the front of the trap? Any modifications necessary?

ok cool

This is just not good advise, I have tried it, you will have an animal trying to bite and scratch you while you unlatch. The simple more secure way of doing this is, hook the top of the swing door and the edge of the side of the cage, push the bar all the way in with "L' extension pointing up, all within the hook of the pin, then just latch it. This will secure the bar from being extracted and also it will allow removal away from the animal.

Where do I put the food?

Caught the cat and it blew the bottom clips off the exit door. Cheap crap

Or you can throw that rediculous safety-pin thing in the trash and secure the door with a cheap key-ring carabiner.