I've had my body grip triggers formed into a "T" for a long time. I have noticed some critters get into the trap too far. I am going to try some my 160'ss & 220's with them in "V" and set on the bottom with the V opened up enough to allow critters to not hit the wire with their face, What works for you

Depends on what I'm after, but I use trigger wires shaped like ( ) on my 160s more than anything else. My primary use for 160s is for mink, and I only use ( ) for that. If I've run out of 220s and having to use 160s on a coon trail, I'll put one straight down and the other at a 45 degree angle like I \ or I'll keep the ( )


The only time I really use twisted T on bottom is whenever I'm setting 280s or 330s for beaver.

Good stuff, thank you.

That sounds like a good plan, Sr.

IMO body grip trap triggers should almost always be on the bottom in any blind trail, ground cubby or box set, with the general exception being diving water sets. I don't think animals like ducking under something any more than I do, but will push through small twigs or grass. Also:

1.When the trigger is placed on the upper jaw hanging down, as shown in many manuals and pictures, the dog and trigger wires end up on the back of the animal where the best fur is and can possibly cause serious fur damage.

2.Also with the wires hanging down in an inverted V form the animal can often IMO slip under the wires and get to far into the trap resulting in a bad strike.


With regards to box sets I also like my trap positioned close to the end of the spring slots, but not against them. With the trap springs against the slot ends when fired it will jump out over the animal and not always get the best humane catch. The solution is to set your trap spring an inch to 1 1/2 inch before the end of the slot, which greatly reduces the propelling of the trap by the spring. Yet, when the trap is fired the springs will still hit the end of the slots without losing significant striking power or jumping over the animal, yet with enough force to help propel the trap and animal out of the box especially with an inclined b

I think it can depend a lot on what you're trapping. For example, if you're trying to avoid an otter, some set their 330 triggers different than if they have an otter tag.

Some great info here so far. Anyone else what to join in on this?

Not really,after trying all concoctions,I now just move them where ever I want.Right,left,middle.

It's not just your trigger arrangement that's allowing the critter to get to far Into the trap. It's because your trap Isn't tuned.
Your getting way to much trigger travel before the trap fires and that's your main problem. Some where on here there Is a diagram showing how to tune a BG.

[quote=Rat Trapper Sr.]I've had my body grip triggers formed into a "T" for a long time. I have noticed some critters get into the trap too far. I am going to try some my 160'ss & 220's with them in "V" and set on the bottom with the V opened up enough to allow critters to not hit the wire with their face, What works for you

What are you targeting?

If anyone can find that diagram, please post it here.

Here you go: http://www.trapperman.com/trapperman/Basic_Sets_Bodygrip_Adj.html

Beav, you are right my traps are not tuned. hat will get fixed this winter. Target critters are a mixed bag of coon, fisher, possum & skunks. Coon are caught well, but this year I had a fisher get hip caught again like last year. I don't like finding a live skunk in a trap. Last year I found a live skunk in a 160 and didn't have my pistol with me. So I had to use my coon smacker.

Thanks bctomcat.

Everyone spends all kinds of time tuning their foot holds but I bet 90% of trappers never even think about tuning their BGs.
If you want good clean kills It's very important.

Anyone else have any other ideas on how the triggers should be set?

What no one has any other ideas!

For beaver you want the triggers togather all the way over on one side of the conibear

*

My beaver trigger set up

This set up is for Beaver with otter avoidance.....the otters can make it through