Have any of you heard of this trap. A block of wood with a approx. 1" hole 3 inches deep with nails drove in to stick out approx. 1/8 to 1/4" in the hole. Place a peice of aluminum foil in the bottom and smear peanut butter over the hole.
then when the coon eats the peanut butter he will see the shiny aluminum foil in the bottom of the hole. Then he will trie to get it with his paw and get it stuck when he tries to pull it back out.
I dont really know much about trapping or if this method even works?
have any of you heard this before or used it yourself?
Is it legal?

I don't think it's legal around here. There are many variations of this trap, I think one was used to trap giraffs? There used to be a "trap" used for wolverines that used fish hooks and a tall stump with bait on top. In the old days there were many cruel but effective ways to trap animals.

it is a leghold trap.

I never heard of such a trap. I certainly believe that it would not be considered legal in most states, as the nail points would be considered "teeth".

There is a similar type device, called an "Egg Trap" that the coon puts it's paw in and it catches his paw.

This "woody" certainly could have it's uses in survival situations or maybe for camp rats/mice, but I'd question it's ability to reliably catch animals, even if it were legal.

it was an old way of trapping coons. a hole was drilled in the top of a log and 4 nails were driven in at an angle with the points partially closing the hole diameter, then a shiny, flat object was placed on the bottom. in the moon light the object would shine and the coon would see it and grab it. a coon would rather die than let go of his new found prize. then you just walk up to them and its all over for the coon. it is illegal now days to use this technique.

Somebody still makes a trap like that. Not sure who but I've seen it in adds.

Here you go...

http://www.theeggtrapcompany.com/

Variation on the old monkey trap. Small opening that a monkey can get its hand thru but not a closed hand/fist out. Monkey reaches in for something and rather than let go... Container is chained or roped to something... Trapper walks up and stuns the animal...

[wildlifecontrolsupplies.com] has several variations on this theme for 'coon. I would guess they are legal in most areas. Luck.