A live gopher trap is easy to set. First, prop the door of the trap open using the trigger arm on the side of the trap. Put bait in the far end of the trap. Lettuce leaves are a good choice for bait. Make sure the door is set so when the gopher presses down on the platform to get the lettuce, it will cause the door to drop closed trapping the rodent inside. Monitor the trap so you can take the captured gopher to a different location and set it free.
Always handle the cage with heavy gloves because a trapped gopher can become frightened and try to bite through the trap’s wire walls.