In the spring, summer, and fall I do quite a bit of work trapping woodchucks. 5x5 is the largest allowed without an excluder or protective device so to keep it simple that is what I use. With moderate guiding, there does not seem to be a problem with refusals.

I have used Duke 155 traps because they are available locally at a decent price. However, last year I had a couple undesirable events. So I am looking at the Bridger. I have read some comments about trigger issues with the Bridger traps. How does spring strength compare? I would like to have more power to prevent undesirable events.

So, what are the pros and cons about the Bridger and Duke 155 traps? I need to buy 4 dozen for new jobs.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

I use BMI 115s which are 5x5. I like mine, especially the triggers. They're from Ohio, so you may be able to get them shipped for a reasonable cost.

Their prices are very competitive, even with the low cost brand. They have square jaws, so you have to chase springs, but that's the case with most brands anyway.

I have some Bridger 155 I picked up and the springs are beastly things, many will point out that the Bridgers have small spring eyes but that doesn't bother me personally. I am guessing the undesirable events can happen with any trap brand, I have had some issues with 220s for coon and won't go back to using them because of it even though my traps are good old Northwoods. I wouldn't hesitate to use Duke conibears, they are a good solid trap and usually have some of the strongest springs. I have never had an issue with Bridger triggers but all of mine are newer than 3 years old so that might make a difference too.

I have some Bridger 155 and am phasing them out due to their small spring eyes and the issues these cause when trying to set them. I am replacing them with CTM 126. These have much larger spring eyes so you have to chase them a bit but they are much easier to set and operate. I don't have any experience with Duke 155 but have Duke 160 and they are fine traps. I also recommend BMI. I have the 160 and although they are not heavy-duty as Belisle, the BMI functioned well and have killed some big coons.

you must look them over firsthand I tried bridger 155s and had to bend the jaws together to set them sent them back don't know if that's still an issue with them ihave duke 110s 160s 220s and 330s no problems with any of them cant imagine the 155s being any different

Would skip both of them. They do the job but they both have runaway springs and bridgers are a pain to set.

I have some experience w/ the Duke 155's. I cant compare to the Bridger's but I can tell you that they are very strong and hold great, but I hate chasing springs! I am 60 years old and when its 28* at 6am in the morning, my old hands don't have the strength they use to. I hate having to pull on those 155 springs to get them back in place. I know you didn't ask about 160's, but the Duke 160's were not bad at all, and if the Duke 160 slipped around it was easy to pull back in place. My point is, I guess its the shorter 5x5 trap size? I think after season, I will purchase some of the CTM 126's. I've read some good reviews on those CTM traps. I am actually glad you asked the question about the 155's. If anyone else can chime in about the 126's or any other 5x5 / 155 that doesn't have the spring issues I would appreciate it.

If you're handy with a welder, you can add kill bars on the Duke's and that will fix the runaway spring issue.

I'm a "dobber" when it comes to Welding. But I just so happen to have a welder in the family! My son has been Welding Stainless, Pipe, Structural and whatever for several years. If you will walk me thru or describe, or send a picture of "kill bars" I will get it done! thx

Get some smooth rod the same size of your trap and make some [-shaped pieces.

Goal is to look like these(may be a good idea to buy one as a sample/template)

http://www.wcscanadastore.com/Sauvageau-2001-5_p_516.html

not a fan of the bridgers at all, a pain to set, not the best trigger and the chains not that great, small spring eyes make it a challenge to set, safeties are junk too, i like my dukes have taken piles of fur with no complains besides the springs go over the jaws but that a easy fix, theyve taken lots of rats and mink for me and even the spare otter or beav that sticks its head where it dont belong , also use them for ADC ground hogs when

I too would take a Duke over the Bridger in body grips traps. Only trap I will do that on, it's reversed for me on coils but body grips I definitely like dukes better.
Jim

If I'm grabbing a 155 out of the box, Bridgers are the last ones I reach for. The triggers are terrible, and the spring eyes are too small. Take Jeffs advice and get ya some BMIs. It will save you a lot of frustration.

I like the Dukes. I use them mostly for groundhogs. Don't mind chasing the springs. I have some Bridgers that I use as a last resort. They are too hard for me to set because of the small spring eyes. I have had to use my setters on the jaws to get them set. I have bent a few. They work well after they are set but it's too much work. Dr

Thank you for the many opinions and comments here. I appreciate the input. I think I will try a batch of BMI traps since they are made here in Ohio and they have good reviews. Overall, I have had good success with Duke body grip traps, except for some trigger issues. My only experience with Bridger body grip traps is with the 330 size, and that is why I asked about their 155. So BMI it is. I would weld the bars on the jaws, but my welding is way too ugly. Thanks again and best wishes.

We catch a lot of what we call rockchucks here, which I believe are the same species (Yellow bellied marmots). We use 110s, and ordered some of the Bridgers to replace some old Victor's that were worn out. Nobody likes them. I also have some belisles that I really like, if I had to order more that's what I would go with. Good stout trap, decent triggers, great safeties.

I've never used bridger 155s but I've used their 110s and I'll never buy them again, the eyes are to small so when they do go to far without a hammer it's impossible to get them back to where they should be. I love my bridger footholds but I'll never buy a bridger body grip again

I'm going to sell my Bridgers 155's. Nothing but trouble catching fishers on the ground. Repeated misses. Had to saw the jaws to get a Fisher out of the trap one time. Not worth it.

I will never buy another Bridger body grip again unless I get a really good deal on them. I bought some 160s and instantly had to put Belisle triggers on them because they had way too much play. I also had the spring eye problem multiple times and it was near impossible to get it back to normal. The only thing I don't like about the Dukes and I don't know if it's only on the 110s or not. But I do not like how the Duke's jaws can open up a little bit when set off and the ones I had were at least a 1/2" gap.

Belisle here, nothing else. From 120's to 330's. Never regrated buying them.

Won't own a pia bridger with them tiny spring eyes. Spend more time fumbling with them trying to get them set. The kind of fumbling that'll get you bit if you dont get it lined up just so.

Understandable concept to go for a full closure and hold but everyone else done figured out how to bend the jaws to accomplish the same thing.

Hate the small spring openings on the bridgers.Dukes for me.

I've said this before. Your not trapping cigarette papers.

I like the Northwoods 155's. But I like the dukes too, I hate any and all Bridger bodygrips, they're terrible. The spring eyes are too small, makes setting them a pain, and I've had misses with them because the small spring eyes hung up where the frame was welded together, so the traps in question "fired" but the bars never closed. So I'd stick to Duke

I have Bridger #155's, never had on bit of trouble with them, but I'm not a Professional Trapper... so???