Currently running the JC Conner Tbar shock springs with my #2 dukes and #2 Bridgers. I bought them because the guy who got me into coyote trapping uses them and made a convincing argument for them. Looking at pics on here I don’t notice many shock springs. Just looking for a bigger poll of people on yes or no and why and why not use them.

It is my opinion that I don't need shock springs on my traps when I am running adequate swivels on my MB550s. The 550 is a very stout trap that can take the pulling. I randomly dukes prior to buying the 550s and noticed some damage to the trap like bent base plate, jaw tips straighten after I sent them up and twisting that could have been lessened by a shock spring. So in summary I would say shock spring the dukes. I can not speak for any other brand traps since I have no experience with them.

Shorten the chain and the result is the same. This is far more important with the smaller/lighter traps than the big HD ones.

Calvin. Well said

"I bought them because the guy who got me into coyote trapping uses them and made a convincing argument for them."

I bet I know who that was lol.

I agree with the other replies, and, the springs are fine if set up right.
Do you get them clogged much?

To each his own on spring or not and also chain lenghth. Myself if not on a spring I lengthen the chain and add a swivel or 2. I have my reasons as I am sure some have a reason for short chains. The end result is what is important, you have to do what you feel confident in. Confidence is a key factor in trapping.

I was taught they had to be used...this year I didn't put them on my new traps and see no difference. I'd say add a swivel and keep the chain short. Now that I have some traps without I can't stand bedding the ones with the springs.

I have used them some but mostly not used them. I can see an argument for either. I can see where they might slightly lessen foot damage but I have had foot damage with them. That mostly depends on the coyote and how long in the trap. I have had toe caught coyotes get out with and without (fairly rare in either case). But is anybody really having pad caught(or higher)coyotes get out of traps. I do not have the longest trap line in the world but I rarely if ever just temporarily hold a coyote. I either miss them completely or they are ankle deep in the trap. I suppose everyone's experience is different but I virtually never approach an empty catch circle where a coyote got away. And the time or 2 I have it was more likely a swiveling issue or other equipment issue and not lack of a spring. A shock spring is more to bed and more for your trap to wobble on. I am more likely to use them on a drag where I have 8-10 feet of chain out there. I still don't know that I have had one get out with or without one but in my mind I feel like they dissipate some of the extra leverage from a lunging coyote on a long chain. And on a drag I do not have to bed the spring. But as some have said above...do whatever gives you confidence. I run 550s, 650s and some full mod Bridgers and I have never had a coyote damage the trap frame or pop jaws out in any case.

Thanks for the great personal preferences everyone. Never had trouble with them clogging with debris, but there are Days bedding those things can be a PAIN! Still on the fence wether to include some more springs in next years trapping order.

I ran them for a while until i got tired of trying to bed traps with them on.

Why stake under the trap if spring goofs with you?
If I ran them they'd be near the stake, and stakes would be outside the bed, for the most part.

I forgot, I do have ONE, it's on a long chained coon trap, and does go boing.
I guess main reason I put it on is cause an old friend gave it to me.

I asked about clogging. I had greys and possums clog CP swivels if I caught them in tall grass like orchard grass. I adjusted set locations and it got better. Some of those like to roll. A longer chain "might" help there. Variables.

Waste of time In my opinion. Shock springs that Is.

Everyone does It different. I NEVER have my stake out of the trap bed. I dig the bed deeper so I can drive my stakes and place my chain then sift the bed full to cover and then bed my trap right on top.

Out of all the traps I modify, very few customers request shock springs. I have put them on wolf traps, and also notice that they are more common with the live market trappers.

Anyone run them with drags? Do they make a difference in that application?

I usually do have them on my drag set ups just because of the chain length. I sort of always mentally imagine how much a coyote can lunge on 10 feet of chain...especially if caught on a back foot. But the truth is I don't know how much it helps. I practically never have an animal in the wide open on a drag that is even able to lunge. They are usually so wrapped up in small trees and bushes that the shock spring is of no consequence anyway. I have found one drag in my years of trapping that was moved and did not have the animal in it...and I am about 95% sure that was a bobcat. He got the trap lodged in the fork of a sapling about 6" off the ground and appeared to have twisted out. If I make up some more drags I don't know if I will add springs or not.

Shock springs came out as a animal comfort feature to lesson the shudder when they hit the end of the chain while their fighting the trap,not to save traps from getting beat to death.The idea is when he hits the end of the chain with a spring in the chain it cushions the lunge.

And at least one state has incorporated what is explained above into their regulations. In NC, we are limited on chain length for land trapping unless we incorporate a shock spring.

From our regulations:



This does not apply to quick drown type water sets.

I run springs on all my land foothold sets including DPs so I do not have to be concerned with the 8" limit. I can legally use an extension on a DP to something that will hold since I use a spring.

i have 2 swivels and a conner shock spring in between them on all my traps. no chain. That is the setup i ended up with after running several different setups. I like it. Not really a big deal bedding them either. I was looking to keep the feet in best possible shape and that was the setup i ended up settling on with the best results.

You guys saved me a bunch of money for next years order! Anyone wanna buy 12 JC conner Tbars? Lol

I agree, as tender as Possum feet are you need that kind of setup....