I know this proly gets old but whats the best bang for buck when it comes to cage traps . I'm looking to use them for bobcats during the season.coons the rest of the time. Thanks for any help ...

Thanks Warrior . These do look like top quality .

Check out the Comstock traps too. I've got both and for the coon at least I prefer them as they come. If you get the advanced trap you may consider installing 1/2" hardware cloth to the rear of the trap to prevent the coon from reaching in and stealing bait. Also be sure that you don't have any interesting smells on your hands when you set the trigger, if they climb on top they can trip it off because of the exposed part. They are a snap to set though. Like most anything else they both have their goods and bads. The comstocks take longer to set but will function at any angle. I have never tried to trap a bobcat in a cage so I couldn't give any input on that.

I've probably said this before but it bears repeating. Every company that builds traps should be forced to test them in Wisconsin at this time of the year. That would certainly separate the men from the boys. We have very little trouble with anything other than lactating female raccoons. This time of the year I get damaged cages almost daily. The new Tomahawks with the pan protectors should put a stop to much of that. Other than raccoons, ( And clumsy technicians ) we really don't experience a lot of cage problems.

PS The coons can also mangle a squirrel cage trying to get the squirrel out.

Coon and bobcats are totally different sized animals so trying to find a cross over trap to suit both needs is a bit of a stretch in thought.You can catch some cats in a coon sized trap but if I am targeting cats with a cage it wouldnt be a coon trap.You will need to buy cat sized traps for the best result...

We use primarily safeguard traps and accessories for the last 27 years and we only use spring loaded door type traps for nuisance trapping.Gravity non locking doored traps and wire pan systems can cause issues over the long haul in using them.

Trap choices vary from person to person. Get a couple of different styles and you in time will determine your best choice after using them for several years.

Funny you mention the new Tomahawks Paul.

I took a drive up there a few weeks ago and bought a truckload of new traps.

With the new traps have been noticing the handles are usually removed if we catch a raccoon in them. Even had a raccoon break the clip for the release door. Was gonna head up there this week to pick up some more skunk and woodchuck traps and show them the damage but not sure if I will make it up or not.

Like Bob My main trap is safeguards, spring loaded front single doors with rear release. I do have a pan modification I will use a lot. I also have some of the advance traps from Kirk Dekalb. He makes a good trap. I have not used or seen Comstock traps but hear some good things about them. I am not a fan of tomahawk. I have some old (10 plus years) woodstream 1078 that are still going but the newer ones do not seem to hold up.

The one trap I don't think you should buy is the central tractor combo set LOL did that once, I will not go into more detail on that LOL

I use schrouder (sp)(aka cagemaker on tman) bobcat traps all summer long for coon,,,,,downfall is the 1x1 mesh

Clint has some new cages that have a pan that starts at the door. You may want to try them.

I talked to Norm today.

We have many-many models and options, each has characteristics that are different from the other. The trap I think you have can be ordered with 1/2"x1" wire in back. We also have traps that can be set at any angle. I have never seen the need to set our traps upside down. If you want to set them sideways you can. You also can order a thicker deeper dog to make it less sensitive when set on its side. I have not promoted it because I felt the option of using a 4 way trigger was more important that the standard dog can be used with a conibear 4-way trigger.

We even have several models that use a pan type set up.

Even have a rail-less guillotine model, with a powered door I haven,t decided to sell, yet. It is really slick.

Good friend of mine Rich out in co cage trapped 138 toms last count I know last season . He has no time for cage traps that don't work perfect because some of them cats might bring close to a grand . He started selling his line of traps this year so if your looking for good cat traps made by and tested till fine tuned cat catching machines send me a pm I'll give you his number .

Kirk, the traps I have are guarded on the sides but the rear was exposed. I used trap wire to guard it like you did the sides. I need to do the same to the door for after the catch. I forgot one more plus for yours, if you have an empty transfers are very easy, you dont even need seperaters. I do have issues setting the simple traps on slopes though(east TN is nothing but hills)

It is clearly impossible to argue cage traps from one end of the country to the other. Those of you like Jonesie that have those woozy little raccoons that can't even get out of a Safequard, are completely satisfied.

Then there of those of us who would never think of having a stupid release door on any of our cages because that's just another silly way for animals to escape. Professional? Not in my book.

Perhaps I've been doing this too long, but when I see something I like, like a Comstock for example, and I think that perhaps a non-target animal, like a raccoon, can get out, so guess what? I put door stops on it.

I don't expect you guys to agree with me. Hey, what the heck, that's what makes this crazy business so much fun, harassing and yelling at each other, just like in real life.

I have several different types of traps. The tomahawk traps, as someone mentioned, ended up breaking on me. The bait door clips and the pan on one. I have a few advanced traps but I have trouble with them being triggered from the top. Probably from being in a salty/ocean area, the the part that hooks on the trigger (versatile trap) will pull out and the trap won't fire at times. Mainly use this trap for armadillo. As mchitwood mentioned, they are easy to transfer from.
As long as you keep up with the rustoleum from time to time, the comstocks seem reliable.
I just received a new order of Comstocks. I'm pretty impressed with their new traps coming from Tomahawk. They are now built like a tank. The wire is now 12 gauge and there are new clips holding them together. The trigger wires (new type of wire?) no longer bend up as much which makes for a much quicker set. Before, messing with the wires was the most time consuming aspect of the set. I really like what I see so far. I'll be testing them out more over the next few weeks and let you know. For me it's all about weight and size. Space always becomes an issue with all the animal pickups. The new reinforced Comstock Beaver trap is weighing in at only 22.5lbs and that's a plus for me. And being able to stack more in with a 9" width on the average trap.
I like trying out all different types of traps. It's interesting to watch all of these traps evolve over time. Everyone has their own little niche. It's nice to have so many choices.

Jerry, I hope you get a chance to try the Tomahawk professional with the pan protector. I was impressed.

Paul I will have you know my coon may be little but they are tough. LOL all muscle and mean. LOL

Starting last October I started putting Stainless mechanisms on top to reduce any chances of problems that could appear on traps as they aged. Also that part could also be made of stainless.Wendall mentioned about doing that for me on that trap at the NTA convention. I could see how it could happen.Have you tried adding vasiline? Have an ADC customer in a northern state that has many of them and believes they are the best trap he is using.He has been using them for 2 years.

As far as triggering from the top, a thicker dog will reduce that but reduces the other options with that trap such as a four way trigger as well as a floppy trigger which in some cases increases the catch cause the wires appear more natural as a weed or just a dangling twig. I haven,t had the problem that I can remember. It may be how I am using and baiting the trap.Have videos on my channel showing animals all over the traps and not firing them. I have had buzzards set off the larger traps from the top when I hung bait on the trigger wires. Have video of that.Also a bolt on trigger from MTP would make the trap more sensitive, if you are using that trigger you may want to try a two bolt replacement trigger. It allows the animal to be in the trap further before firing and is less sensitive.That is the trigger I use on 90% of the models now.

Many of the other models I have and some that are soon to be produced offer a different option. The firing mechanism and linkage are doing well with the traps, but just gives more traps with that option. Makes replacing triggers and access easier on more models that use that linkage design.It is like the swim thru model.
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Locklears pan trap with the pan starting at the door, I thought would show promise with trappers wanting to try that design.That is why I mentioned it.

Thanks

I build my own. Buying cage traps is to expesensive for me. If you do make your own traps make sure to use welded wire that was made in the USA.