Rating traps for different animals

[chickenman]

What are the chances that you seasoned veterans will take the time to tell us what traps you use for each animal you trap? (not just 330's for beaver/ 110's for rats/ or 11/2 coilsprings for coons.)What brand of trap, why you use it what makes it better than others. What brand is better than others? If price was not a issue? Which is best for the money? Where you buy your traps? How much you paid for them?
And finally since price is a issue to most people, Are there any dealers who will give discounts for large quanities of traps ordered at one time. Would you guys consider putting our orders together to leverage a better deal on these supplies we all need?
Thanks,
Chickenman

[sam]

North Carolina has many excellent trappers within the state, most are unknown and like it that way. This computer stuff is a realm of the unkown to most of them and most will never know them here.

Good luck to you and your venture, I am sorry but I cant help you.

[Bottomline]

This might help ya.
www.traps4kids.com/Trap-Sizes.html

Bobcat
#1 3/4 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 3/8 inches
#2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#2 coilspring Padded Jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#3 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 1/4 inches
#3 coilspring Padded Jaws Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
#3 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches

Beaver
#3 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 1/4 inches
#3coilspring Padded Jaws Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
#3 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#4 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
#4 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
#5 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 8 3/8 inches
#220 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 7" x 7"
#280 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 8" x 8"
#330 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 10" x 10"

Coyote
#1 3/4 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 3/8 inches
#2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#2 coilspring Padded Jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#3 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 1/4 inches
#3coilspring Padded Jaws Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
#3 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#4 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches

Fox
# 1 1/2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 7/8 inches
#1 1/2 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 inches
#1 3/4 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 3/8 inches
#2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#2 coilspring Padded Jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches

Mink
#1 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches ,
#1 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 4 1/4 inches
#1 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#11 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
# 1 1/2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 7/8 inches
#1 1/2 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 inches
#1 1/2 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 3/4 inches
#110 Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
#120 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
#160 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 6" x 6"

Muskrat
#1 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#1 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 4 1/4 inches
#1 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#11 longspring ( two springs) Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
# 1 1/2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 7/8 inches
#1 1/2 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 inches
#1 1/2 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 3/4 inches
#110 Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
#120 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
#160 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 6" x 6"

Opossum
#1 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#1 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 4 1/4 inches
#1 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#11 longspring ( two springs) Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
# 1 1/2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 7/8 inches
# 1 1/2 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 inches
# 1 1/2 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 3/4 inches
# 1 3/4 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 3/8 inches
# 2 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 3/4 inches
#160 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 6" x 6"
#220 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 7" x 7"

Otter
#2 coilspring Padded Jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#3 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 1/4 inches
#3coilspring Padded Jaws Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
#3 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#4 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
#4 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
#220 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 7" x 7"
#280 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 8" x 8"
#330 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 10" x 10"

Raccoon
#1 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#1 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 4 1/4 inches
#1 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#11 longspring ( two springs) Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
# 1 1/2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 7/8 inches
# 1 1/2 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 inches
# 1 1/2 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 3/4 inches
# 2 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 3/4 inches
#160 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 6" x 6"
#220 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 7" x 7"
#280 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 8" x 8"

Skunk
#1 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#1 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 4 1/4 inches
#1 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#11 longspring ( two springs) Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
# 1 1/2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 7/8 inches
# 1 1/2 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 inches
# 1 1/2 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 3/4 inches
#160 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 6" x 6"
#220 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 7" x 7"

Weasel
# 0 Longspring Approximate Jaw spread 3 1/2 inches
#110 Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
#120 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"

[chickenman]

WOW!! Thanks for the info. I think!
What brand of traps do you use and why? What are the chances of following you around 1 day when you are working a trapping job? I would appreciate the opportunity and will even buy lunch.

[Bottomline]

Chickenman, were you at the Spring Fling? Are you the guy that live just outside of Middlesex?

I am working on some turtle traps right now. Not got any traps out right now, but will be setting for some Nuisance beaver in some of the places I'm gonna be turtle trapping. You are welcome to come along with me. If you don't have any plans for Sunday, you can come over and hang out a while. We can line something up.
Send me a PM, and I'll give you my cell#.

[bmlutra]

As far as brands go try some of all of them if you have the money. Used ones are a good idea too. Each brand has some really good models for some amimals and not so good ones as well. I have victor(old),blake and lamb(old),northwoods(old),bmi,duke,sleepy cr.,belisle, and lil griz,bridger, and mb. They all have their place. Some modified and some not. My favorite coni. is belisle, but I will not set one where theift is a strong possibility. So a duke would be set in a spot like that if at all. If I try a trap and don't like them then I sell them or trade for something else. The best advise I could give is to be flexible.

[rye]

Great post with great responses!... Thanks for askin' chickenman.

[beaverstop]

I disagree with lots of what is in that T4K recommendation, but I do realize that they are trying to give information that applies to all of the geographical US. Example, set any padded jaw trap for coon and, If you hold him, you will be replacing pads after every catch. Same for otter and mink. Looks like they just put every style and size trap on that list. Not to mention, one must be aware of our laws, Re: offset jaws. Just me, but I find a 220 to be a marginal otter trap. Other than yearlings, otter in my area are always over 20 lbs. Females average 20+ and males are usually 25-30. That's awful big for a 220. Try doing beaver ADC work with 220's.

I believe you told me that you will not be able to make the convention. Internet stuff is OK, but I suggest that you try to spend some time with an established trapper.

Everything that I have seen on EBAY is usually way more than new stuff, especially when you look at the shipping and handling part of the auction. Plus, unless buying from a reputable dealer, it may not be as advertised.


I am not aware of any dealers that give volume discounts. Their margin is pretty small on these items.

Too hot now, and the beavers are not moving. You can come up here and go with me anytime that you want. I'll show you everyplace that I trap and the sets that I make. Might take some time as I am blessed with lots of territory.

As for trap brands: BMI, Victor, Bridger and the Montana #3. I also have an assortment of traps that are no longer made. I am really impressed with the Montana for cat trapping. I plan to add at least two dozen this season. I do use some 330 Dukes for high risk areas and where I plan to catch only beavers. The newer traps are adequate if properly tuned.

As BM said, try some of all and settle on what works best for you. A tip: try to limit your selection as it is difficult to keep up with what is set where unless you keep detailed notes. Standardization makes it simpler, especially when making lots of sets.

Jimmy

[CoonDuke]

Bobcat
I do not have the opportunity to trap bobcats here in PA but if I ever draw a permit I would probably go with a Duke #3 or #4 coilsprings.

Beaver
#4 Duke reg jaw coilspring in PA.
#5 Bridger coilspring in NC.
#330

Coyote
If the majority of my canine population were coyotes, I would probably go with a #3 Bridger OS or #4 Duke OS.

Fox
#1.75 Duke OS
#3 Duke OS in winter

Mink
#1 1/2 Duke

Muskrat
#1 1/2 Duke
110
single spring 160

Opossum
#1 1/2 Duke
#1 double jaw coil

Otter
Don't know the first thing about them...

Raccoon
#1 1/2 Duke
#11 Duke or Bridger
160
220

Skunk
#1 double jaw coil

[mountainman]

Cats/ Canines 1.75- good all around trap and light to pack. #2 CS, #3s and #4s can be used for cats & yotes *check regs for offset requirements.
Beaver/Otter 330, #5s, (snares beavers only) 3s & 4s beaver front foot catch
Mink/Rats 1.75, 1.5, 110, 50, (#3 for incidental beaver and otter at some sets)
Coon 1.5 dry land, 1.5, 1.75 or larger on drowner, #11s (set for front foot catch)
Skunks/Possums whatever they get into.

just a general guideline. trappers will have individual preferences based on type of operation, style, skill level, conditions etc ie some trappers may prefer to set 1.5 coilsprings for foxes where coyotes are not numerous.

[Ldsoldier]

possums: set a trap, any trap, they'll find a way to get caught in it

[wildman]

Possums: I like a five gallon bucket with cat food:)

[coyote]

Different brand names of traps all work the basically the same. You pay for the extras. The best way I have found to learn what I like best about a trap is to modify it. Charles Dobbins has a trap modification tape that is very informative and is a "real" investment. I would suggest getting some traps and working on improving them to a fine tuned piece of equipment.
Then if you go to the NTA web page and look up the BMP's for each animal you are interested in trapping they will give you examples of trap sizes you can use.
Unless you are buying a fully-loaded trap with all the bells and whistles, name brands won't be that big of a deal. You will learn what brands have what you like the best as you work on them. I like to spend the off season fine tuning my traps and trying different ways to make them more efficient.

[Bottomline]

Dukes
Tomahawk
Williams
Safeguard

[coongeter]

i like a 1.75 for coon