Adam - that was my first attempt at tweaking my OOS traps gleaned from this forum I'm sure. Then, I went offset:



All of this was when I had more time on my hands. Still had issues with rust on trip rods and pans. On open surface/foraging runs, I now use Bud 25's Modified OOS. Money well spent!

I tell you ....if you guys try talpex traps you won't look at an out-o-sight trap ever again!! They are smaller, lighter, easier to set by hand and they don't need any adjustment....they really are superb.

I will take a pic of the fields when i next go. I expect that there will be one or two moles in each field that I have to trap. I think the farmer will be delighted, he better be.

I learnt a long time ago that one mole, left to his own devices, will create a (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) of alot of mess....

Roe - while paying my dues and learning how to catch "The Little Gentleman in the Black Velvet Waistcoat," I purchased both the Flatpack Co.'s version of the Duffus/Half-Barrel and the Talpex mole traps. I did catch moles with the Talpex-type trap but also had many more misses than catches. Understand that I'm trapping in sandy soils and these Michael Phelps' rascals can swim under and around my traps as soon as their whiskers touch metal parts. Or, so it seemed. Also know that the majority of mole runs in my part of the world are along the surface (foraging/feeding runs). They will only occasionally throw mounds in our so called winter (less than 6 weeks sometimes) and during the heat of our summers and usually droughty conditions when their food sources also head south and deeper in our soils. I first speculated that the Talpex tines were not long enough in my situation compared to the OOS.



In reality, I probably didn't devote enough time to the Talpex and got more comfortable/successful with the Modified OOS and using Steve's Trapline trap (upside down). Still working on learning the Half-Barrel trap but have the same issues with my moles having the Michael Phelps' Syndrome when using this trap.

What holds the Steve A. traps in place if sat upside down? It seam as it would be at the wrong angle

GT - We discussed this on 3/10/15. Go back 3 weeks ago and to Page 3 under SUBJECT "Gophers." It's a mixed discussion on gopher vs. mole trapping.

Aggie, correct me if I'm wrong, but is that trap in the pic not a talpex?

I know what you mean about the surface runs. A nightmare. But i do stand by what I said and i think the talpex would benefit you guys.

Here's one thing to think about: If you set the talpex correctly the mole should never really come into contact with metal so it shouldnt be able to swim under the trap....the idea is to block the run so Mr Mole gets caught as he shovels the debris out of the way.,..

Roe - You are correct. It is The Flatpack Co.'s version of it, I think. Although I'm happy with the modified OOS I use, I'd try a true Talpex trap just for grins if it were available in the USA. I just surmised that the shorter length of the catch tines on this particular trap was the cause of my misses in my situation. I also use the Trapline Mole Trap along foundations, sidewalks/driveways, fences, etc. where the use of the scissor trap is not feasible. There were earlier discussions on the setting/bedding of this trap along with the "dig-unders" in sandy soils when he senses the trap.

I've had success in placing the offset pan of the modified OOS just at the base of the mole run or slightly above it, then back-filling. Not too sure if he senses the metal or not. I just want to feel that "tug" when I'm pulling a trap that's been set off!!!

Mole-catchers over here are waiting for the day that Steve Albano, or someone else, produces a Stainless Steel scissor trap that encompasses all of the features of a modified OOS and Talpex! Wishful thinking, huh?

Been settin oos for 12 years and highly effective....i do modify my traps with a couple bends in the pan but over 8,500 moles have told me i should keep using the oos

Alot of trap avoidance with oos is more in the way you set the trap and the way you make your mound in center of the trap that your pan lays on...i bend my pans so that it exactly matches my mound i create

Also i catch alot of moles against sidewalks...foundations with the oos....there really is no need to have more than one kind of trap to catch moles....the oos is the most versatile

Is there a how to thread on modifying the oos

Aggie, would you mind me asking in what scenario the misses were. had the trap been sprung, but no mole in it? Thanks.

Roe - It has been 3 years or so when I was experimenting with this trap, among other types (Trapline, Duffus/Half-barrel, and the original OOS) due to moles digging under my sets. Moles can nearly "swim" in the sandy soils where I trap. Steve Albano, himself, even admits to using the OOS in sandy soils.

I followed the tips and techniques offered here on this forum when I first started experimenting with the Talpex-type trap. I'd cut out a section of turf/soil the length and width of the trap, compact the soil in the cut-out section with a wooden mallet head, place another compacted piece of soil as a bump or block under the trip pan, then backfill the cut-out section (bath tub). Some trappers in the States do not "bath tub" their sets but sink there OOS traps directly into the run. Understand that the above technique is used almost exclusively for the surface/foraging runs created by our more common subspecies of mole, Eastern Mole. I use the Trapline mole trap when they are tunneling deeper and in all other circumstances.

I did not use this Talpex-trap enough time to learn its proper use as mentioned in previous posts and is now a moot point for me. I use the modified OOS trap (Elite Mole Upgrade) and have very few misses. I'm also waiting to see what Steve Albano has to off in his new trap. He came on this forum nearly a year ago and TEASED us with mention of his working on a new trap. Come on Steve, we're waiting!!! Cheers Roe

Well Aggie, I think you, and many other molers, would benefit from the talpex. It is important to false fire the talpex in heavy soil or clay, and i set mine a little different. I do not put a plug of soil under the trigger, i only backfill the run a little, the rest i 'cap off' with squeezed handfuls of soil, so that the mole is well in the trap before he triggers it. A mole should not be able to swim under any talpex if it is set right IMO. In sandy soil i use them too. I have very few misses and i do catch many, many moles in a year.

I always false fire my oos

Got my first mole job. Photos to follow.

Chuck

I have been getting a few call, but it is still to early in my area. The moles worked under the snow but are still not showing any new activity yet. In a couple week things will start up.

I am on vacation this week and kinda hate it....i already got 5 new lawns to set up when i get back plus a big vole job.....so looks like will be buyin a couple dozen more oos

Not sure, probably look for freshest mounds and go from there...
How did you pull it off?

I set fields from the edges. You'll catch nearly every mole in that type of field from the edge as thats where they live and their travelling routes .