Beav....that’s the same guy that had trouble with #3 Montana traps last year. He might need a tank.. lol

Is it possible that some of these issue with traps getting destroyed by coyotes, stems from running long chains on their setups? All I use are Dukes and I run short chains and have Never had a trap trashed by a coyote (other than a bent dog)

No problem here

All I add to the chain is a double stake swivel all my traps have less then 18 inches of chain

i run three dozen regular duke #2s and a dozen # 3s. i love both. i bought a dozen of the new #2 square jaws. my old traps are preforming great as always. everything about the new dukes is very atractive. i have rechained them center swiveled tweeked the levers to get the jaws flat,night latched and 2.5 pounds pan tension. and they come up empty. i come from wyoming and now trapping south carolina is completley different. mule deer never mess with traps out there and have never had to deal with coons and possums and know i belly miss them. i thought the new four coil dukes would jump out the mud and get it done but i have had almost zero luck with them connecting.

I went with Derek Sunday to run his line. I'd been working and no traps of my own out. I saw 3 different sets cats had pulled out of. 4th cat was still there. It was on a drag made from a limb and the brush it was in allowed some give when it hit the end of the chain. All with the new #2 dukes. So mud and steel to answer your question your not the only one having problems. I saw several traps also 2 dukes that the jaws now have an 1/8th gap in the center.

I love how I state the the issue I have with this trap to answer the original poster question and it has turned into me getting bashed because I stated a bad review of the duke #2 and the Montana #3 all of you (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) internet trappers can kiss my (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman)

Traps jumping out of the mud? If your setting In mud or having wet conditions that are causing mud It's not the traps fault that your not catching anything. Not many traps preform well In conditions that your relating to.

If conditions are that bad In SC go to some waxed dirt for bedding. I trapped SC for 15 years and Never had any issues with mud where I trapped. Most of the country I trapped was pretty sandy. But I did use some waxed dirt In Jan and Feb.

no issues with mud? we have had over three inches of rain in two days. and two more expected by morning. not sure what part of S.C. you trapped. and bring your waxed dirt... i thought this was a place to learn and share, you dweebs can have it.

Well that took a wrong turn didn't it?

It was a simple question concerning a trap, thank you guys for your input on that trap.I didn't ask how to trap or how you trap.

Well you and I both know In conditions like that you can't blame the trap for not making a catch.

I got a dozen. Put PIT pans on them. Used them 1 season. I'm in red clay gumbo in my area and the lack of a trash gap DID NOT WORK in this soil type.

Derek and Mud & Steel- I wonder if some of these guys aren't on the "pro-staff" for some manufacturers given how their 'reviews' are.

Those who are having problems with this trap are you using offset? I ask this because I don't think Beav use's offset and tennjed showed a picture of the trap with regular jaws and they don't seem to be having any problems. Derek what kind are you using?

Guys Guys It all about what you use for your bedding material. If your dealing with extreme conditions haul In a bedding material that will give you the upper hand. Then top dress the set with a light covering of native soil.
IT's not always the traps fault. And No I'm not a spokes person for Duke traps.

Adapt or go home.

If a trap isn't working properly bedded in dry dirt there is a problem. If a trap without an offset gets an 1/8th inch gap in the center of the jaw after a coyote catch there is a problem. If the 4 coil springs pop off with a coyote in the trap there is a problem. If cats and coyotes pull out half the time there is a problem.

Reg jaws no offset I guess I should change bedding materials for my duke #2 because sifted bone dry dirt from under a bridge won't work for them. I guess it's the dirt fault the jaws are bending and the springs are popping off

Or just use Bridger's at a similar price point or go all in and get KO's Jr's.

In fairness I've had coyotes dang near disassemble most brands. Springs off levers, spring pins pulled sideways, dogs trashed etc. Once the jaws lock up that stuff happens. My issue was getting them to close all the way. FYI I bed with peat INSIDE the jaws, then dry dirt over the top. I pack pretty tight, then top dress a very thin "natural" looking layer- no glove prints etc.

Beav- no slight intended. Just saying I can open any NAFA post by Boco and NAFA will be defended no matter what the topic, as an example. He has had great success with them and he says so. Other guys bash them in a second. I'm about 50-50, but I like hearing his side too.

Any post about fleshing knives and I'm screaming Lee Steinmeyer.

Other guys believe a trap is a tool and like buying at Harbor Freight vs Craftsman. Maybe they have dozens stolen each year. Maybe they sell every 2 years. Others are like Mark June- all 550's no matter what. BIG investment difference between Duke #2's and those 550's though.

I've been using a lot of 650's. Have some 20 year old bridger 3's that are working too. Bridgers got base plated and laminated then four coiled. (didn't come that way 20 years ago)

650's some of the pan tensioning/pivot screws will break after a few seasons of tension being adjusted. Not a big deal. The notch the pan sets in gets wore and needs refiled once in a while so trap stays set. Bought a used one the pan was wore enough I had to weld and then grind it so it would stay set. No major problems. Nothing lasts forever. Traps are fast and whatever steps on one is still there when you get there.

My old bridgers the original rivets didn't hold up very long. Replaced rivets and swivels with crunch proof and problem solved. Pan screw needs replaced once in a while. Pan notch cleaned up once in a while. Again just maintenance nothing lasts forever. Whatever steps on them is waiting for me.

Saw some No BS traps. Very nice. Wouldn't be a bit afraid to buy a slew of them.

No idea how many coons I've caught in duke 1 1/2's. In several states. Have some of the old style with the pan higher than the jaws and some with the level pan. Good trap worth the money.

After what I saw the other day I've no interest in duke #2's.

Bought some old style bridger 2's some years back that are off set. they are holding up to lots of use and hanging on to stuff till I get there as well.

Old long spring 3's, base plated and PIT pans added are a dandy trap too. I really like them when its too rocky to get a proper bed dug. Longsprings stabilize easily.