Re: Duke 155 for Ground hogs
[Re: Thumb Catcher]
#4985135
03/29/15 05:54 AM
03/29/15 05:54 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4 NE, NC
Big Bear Wildlif
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4
NE, NC
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I use 160's as well. Might be pushing it using a 155.But if stacked down well and good placement it might work.
Be Green, Buy Fur. NE- NC
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Re: Duke 155 for Ground hogs
[Re: PA TRAPPER]
#4985424
03/29/15 11:21 AM
03/29/15 11:21 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,312 East Ohio
Jeff
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,312
East Ohio
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I use a lot of 160s,I don't own any 155 so can't say. x2
Speedy Catch Wildlife Service
Member OSTA-NTA-NRA
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Re: Duke 155 for Ground hogs
[Re: Jeff]
#4985480
03/29/15 11:51 AM
03/29/15 11:51 AM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 56 Frankfort, Ky. USA
trapperpaw
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 56
Frankfort, Ky. USA
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I've used the 5x5 and belisle 120s on them. I have had more live catches in Dukes than any other brand. I put the trigger so he can be neck deep before tripping it. What I like about them is a big head like a lot of dogs can't get very deep without tripping it. I also cover it with a wire screen so that something in the hole has free access. Animals outside the hole have to dig under which the hole owner will. Dogs only will if you have a dead ground hog in the trap which is no harm no foul.
Sleep'n with an animal..I can help. Do not use both feet when testing the depth or temperature of the water Your Friend, Paul Brooker
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Re: Duke 155 for Ground hogs
[Re: Thumb Catcher]
#4986588
03/29/15 10:57 PM
03/29/15 10:57 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 56 Frankfort, Ky. USA
trapperpaw
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 56
Frankfort, Ky. USA
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The 120 belisle wacks anything it can get it's jaws around. Set the triggers to let him get his head as far as possible anchor it well because if you catch him by the foot nose or anywhere it will hold him till you arive a head or neck grab he won't move. Week springs have tendency to put an animal in an almost coma state that he can last a long time causing eye witnesses to suffer and the animal to chew ancause othe danages, the belisle also has a very good safety that is nearly fool proop
Sleep'n with an animal..I can help. Do not use both feet when testing the depth or temperature of the water Your Friend, Paul Brooker
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Re: Duke 155 for Ground hogs
[Re: Thumb Catcher]
#4986728
03/30/15 01:47 AM
03/30/15 01:47 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,314 NWWA/AZ
Vinke
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,314
NWWA/AZ
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I have to ask,,,,why not a cage trap? using a positive set,,....
A Chicken in Black.......
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Re: Duke 155 for Ground hogs
[Re: Thumb Catcher]
#4986730
03/30/15 01:49 AM
03/30/15 01:49 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,314 NWWA/AZ
Vinke
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,314
NWWA/AZ
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My brother called with a chuck problem and he(not being a trapper) captured "it" the next day in a havahart,,,,no less?
A Chicken in Black.......
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Re: Duke 155 for Ground hogs
[Re: Thumb Catcher]
#4986784
03/30/15 07:00 AM
03/30/15 07:00 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 32 OH
Eric Arnold
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 32
OH
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For groundhogs, I almost exclusively use 155's. I've had cases in the past where the 120 didn't clear the ears so I had a live hog waiting on me when I arrived. We're limited to 155's on land here in Ohio EXCEPT for groundhogs but then they must have an enclosure so no animal can get in from the outside which kind of defeats the purpose if the 'hog ain't in the hole when you set. I've done the wire thing as well (we can go to 220's for 'hogs with the enclosure) where you only anchor one end down and I've yet to catch one with that setup.
What you need to pay attention to with the 155's are the springs. Most manufactures use standard 160 springs which will allow for multiple animals to get out of the jaws. Also, you don't get the same spring tension for closing with the bigger springs which can allow for animals (in my case opossum) to magically come back to life once removed. Lastly, you'll be able to make better sets with shorter springs as you have less trap to interfere with any surrounding materials and less time removing it to make the set work.
The best springs were made by Chris Riccio, but since he no longer manufactures them the best 155 for me these days is made by Bridger. They have a spring that is in between the once Chris made and the 160. If anyone is wondering why they use 155 springs, it is to make the traps easier to set so they can sell more (was told this directly by one of the manufactures). If you have problems with the shorter springs, just use a setter.
When I can't use a 155, my next choice is a 1/16" snare. To answer Vinke's question, I don't use cage traps because until recently we had to relocate any groundhogs caught in cage traps and that required a minimum of 10 miles from the capture site and written permission from the landowner where the groundhog was released. In other words, no one would pay me the extra to do this.
Eric Arnold Publishing Editor W.C.T. Magazine Editor The Fur Taker Magazine
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Re: Duke 155 for Ground hogs
[Re: Thumb Catcher]
#4989154
03/31/15 08:18 PM
03/31/15 08:18 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 82 Southern Michigan
Cooner22
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 82
Southern Michigan
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Yep, I just made sure to configure the trigger in a position that allowed it to go through a little before the trap sprang. I have my wires so that there's a wire on each side, almost touching the edge of the bars, picture a field goal post. But I'm sure other ways would work too.
"Not everything on the internet can be believed." -Abraham Lincoln
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Re: Duke 155 for Ground hogs
[Re: Eric Arnold]
#4991050
04/02/15 03:19 AM
04/02/15 03:19 AM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 56 Frankfort, Ky. USA
trapperpaw
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 56
Frankfort, Ky. USA
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Chris did make the best 5x5 and the bridger is the best currently. Cage traps are good also it's a situational decision for me. For cages I like jameson's lures and baits even on the positive set cage. It seems to friendly it up to the rodents phobia of new things.
Sleep'n with an animal..I can help. Do not use both feet when testing the depth or temperature of the water Your Friend, Paul Brooker
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Re: Duke 155 for Ground hogs
[Re: Thumb Catcher]
#4991215
04/02/15 09:11 AM
04/02/15 09:11 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 32 OH
Eric Arnold
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 32
OH
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As Cooner22 is referencing, you want to bend the trigger to make as big an opening as you can with the 120 or 155.
For groundhogs and coon, I prefer to set my trigger so it is facing away from the opening regardless if it is a two or four way trigger. I also like to slide the trigger all the way to the left or right and then bend one trigger wire closest to the jaws straight down while bending the other trigger wire at least 45 degrees up to 60 degrees to create a "K" (or backwards "K" based on what side of the trap the trigger is on) shape.
You can see more of how I use the 155 in Winkler's Raccoon Trapping DVD or our latest DVD "The Beginner's Beginning Guide to Fur Trapping".
Eric Arnold Publishing Editor W.C.T. Magazine Editor The Fur Taker Magazine
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Re: Duke 155 for Ground hogs
[Re: Thumb Catcher]
#4992631
04/03/15 07:29 AM
04/03/15 07:29 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 930 Tug Hill, New York
Albert Burns
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 930
Tug Hill, New York
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We do sort of the same thing. If the hole is below the surface, it's easy to cover it with the Conibear in place, using a stiff piece of cardboard. Then cover the cardboard with a thin layer of dirt, no one will ever know there is even a trap there, and the woodchucks will dig in under it if they are out. We use almost exclusively cages now, as it is easier to catch more in a shorter period of time with them. If we do find a situation where a body gripper is the better tool for the job, it will either be a Belisle 160 or a CTM 5 X 5 . Too much excitement over the years with Dukes, plus the other two brands, especially the Belisle's, will catch animals otherwise lost with the Dukes. This is just from my personal experiences.
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