Yep, they hurt, LMAO..
Get yourself a decent cotton rope (not the one like in the pictures, I used this for picture purposes only..)
String the rope through the spring ends..
Pull the rope tight..
Put your safety hooks on..
Now repeat to next side..
Once you have it this far, the battle is half over.
Move the spring ends to the X point on the springs, and squeeze the top or bottom set of jaws together. Move your trigger where you want it, and line the dog up. First or second notch, it don't matter, user prefference. Keep your finger on top of the dog, and slowly move your other hand off the jaws, releasing them as you go. Set in position, and remove safety's..your good to go.
If you are nervous about the trap going off on you, take your rope, and put 2 wraps on the top side of the jaws (where the trigger and dog are. Keep ahold of the rope close to the jaws. Once you put the dog on the trigger, slowly let the rope out. Be very carefull not to hit the trigger with the end of the rope.
Note..
I like a loop in the end of the rope instead of the board, as you can wrap it around your foot, instead of steeping on the wood. In real muddy situations, the pice of wood will be hard to step on and hold in place while you pull on the rope.
Best of luck!
Dan