To you live market trappers, What would make the perfect Coyote live market trap?
Thank You

I guess there are no live market trappers on here.

Or is it a big secret?

I trapped for the live market for 15 years down In the Carolinas.

My trap of choice was a 1.75 regular jawed Duke. The only thing I did was to add inside laminations to the jaws. And I kept the chain to about 8" long with 3 swivel points not Including the J hook at the trap frame.

Not saying It was a perfect set up but I sold a lot of fox to those buyers.

I used victor soft catch #3 for coyotes and 1.5 soft catch for foxes only. I have caught lots of coyotes in the 1.5 over the years just as things happen when trapping for a specific specie.

I never used regular jawed traps for live market work for 20 plus years. It will cut into your bottom line.

You will find out what works best in time to achieve the best result.

I just started trapping for live market this year. Thinking about trying the Bridger 1.65 rubber jaw traps. I trap places with both coyotes and grey fox. I would love to go to 1 trap for all predators. That has been debated on T man countless times. I am not starting a debate, just stating my thoughts.

The one and only 1.65 I have is ok I guess but the pan seams to be just a little thicker than aluminum foil. It came bent up new out of the box and I bent it back to shape by hand. I definitely don't think it would last long with coyotes

from the older guys ived talked to who've been live marketing for a while they prefer the Montana #3's. Rounded jaws, laminated ( inside out side preferred but inside minimum )short chained with lots of swivel points. they were kinda half and half about the shock springs though ( some guys who used the kb 5.5's swore by that shock set up ). lotta folks are liking the vic #3 soft catches too

Stay away from off set jaws (allows foot to slide causing more skin cutting.)

Stay away from rubber jaws (freezing temps will make the rubber hard and result in some nasty-looking feet.)

Laminate the jaws (top or bottom or both...use round rod to eliminate sharp edges.)

Keep strong springs on your traps (foot stays where trap clamps on.)

Short chain and swivel heavy (12 to 15" chains and minimum 3 double swivels.)

Use in-line springs (takes the jolt out of lunges and may prevent injury to shoulder.) Also makes stake/anchor pulling harder for critter to do.

Go with either a good live market fox trap OR a good live market coyote trap. A single trap that works well everytime for both DOES NOT EXIST.

^^^ 100% correct. I have yet to find a perfect trap. 450s are decent on fox but too small for coyote. I run alot of fully modified Bridger #3s for coyote

WE didn't have coyotes In the south when I trapped. Well maybe the last year or two but not many.

Waiting for this,
perfect live market trap answer !

I caught 7 coyotes and a red fox last week. I was using just three mb450 fox with the same set up as what's on a Jake trap. One of the coyotes was caught by the hind foot. All of the feet where fine.

Montana # 3 Off set. 4 coiled is a MUST so foot doesn't slide around in trap Outside laminated center swiveled with a shock spring Best set up there is ive tried most

Second choice would be a Bridger # 2 outside / inside laminated shock spring center swiveled

Third choice would be mb 550 as long as you keep good strong springs I ran them two years and had good feet the third year the springs had gotten weaker and I was having bad feet because the foot was alllowed to move some

Important things are strong springs ( not ridiculous)
Center swiveled and shock spring
A rolled edge jaw Not sheared Which is one reason I prefer the Montana
6 inch jaw spread. Bridger 3 catches too high most of the time I didn't run them long


This is what I've seen the best for live market coyotes. I do not live market fox That will be someone else's department

I have personally went strictly to the 550 rubber jaw. Somewhere around 6-8 inches of chain including 2 swivels. Just what works for me on coyotes. 99% of my coyotes sell.

Do you run 2 or 4 coil on the rubber jaw Doug?

I use mb550s 4coiled in the rubber jaw and seems that every coyote I catch has good feet, unfortunately in Tenn I can't sell them live, but seems like it would be a pretty good trap for live market

I agree with everything Swampwolf said. I didn't believe him until I changed my setup in South Carolina. I always though offset would be better. When I changed, the feet were better. Trapping before and after work and taking 2 weeks off I'd get between 50 and 60 average per year but went over 100 a couple times so my observations are pretty solid.

Just 2 coiled with #2 music wire springs.

To be fair about the rubber jaws.....I have not used rubber jaw traps in 20 years...so the modern rubber jaws may be better quality that doesn't get hard in freezing weather.

I use victor # 3 soft jaws. Only thing I do not like is the price lol. Proper pan tension and check as soon/often as you can will help with the feet.