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Re: Understanding chain length [Re: eastwood44mag] #6168101
02/23/18 10:39 PM
02/23/18 10:39 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,073
montana
R
red mt Offline
trapper
red mt  Offline
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R

Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,073
montana

Mounding is very minimal


Kenneth schoening
Re: Understanding chain length [Re: eastwood44mag] #6168119
02/23/18 10:55 PM
02/23/18 10:55 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,073
montana
R
red mt Offline
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red mt  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,073
montana

Its my belief if they can move around some they move to get comfortable and end up Not fighting the trap as hard because they are not stuck in one place.
It's mostly coyotes and cats but but 99% of my cat traps are on a drag they born to be on a drag imo.


Kenneth schoening
Re: Understanding chain length [Re: eastwood44mag] #6168202
02/24/18 12:19 AM
02/24/18 12:19 AM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,626
Flint, Michigan
bhugo Offline
trapper
bhugo  Offline
trapper

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,626
Flint, Michigan
9-10 inces chain with 3 swivel points and a big set of double stakes. Never had anything pump the stakes out.


Member MTPCA, FTA and NTA
Re: Understanding chain length [Re: red mt] #6168414
02/24/18 09:24 AM
02/24/18 09:24 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,445
Southern Michigan
T
trappergbus Offline
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trappergbus  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,445
Southern Michigan
Originally Posted By: red mt

Its my belief if they can move around some they move to get comfortable and end up Not fighting the trap as hard because they are not stuck in one place.
It's mostly coyotes and cats but but 99% of my cat traps are on a drag they born to be on a drag imo.


Like I said I WAS a short chain guy until I tried long chains. FREEDOM! LOL Rig a couple up It'll open your eyes too..


Common sense catches alot of fur..
Pay homage to all you harvest..
Re: Understanding chain length [Re: eastwood44mag] #6168535
02/24/18 11:19 AM
02/24/18 11:19 AM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,312
Firth, Nebraska
jabNE Offline
trapper
jabNE  Offline
trapper

Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,312
Firth, Nebraska
I don't have any traps with chains over 12".
Jim


Money cannot buy you happiness, but it can buy you a trapping license and that's pretty close.
Re: Understanding chain length [Re: eastwood44mag] #6168694
02/24/18 01:32 PM
02/24/18 01:32 PM
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 507
SC Iowa
btomlin Offline
trapper
btomlin  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 507
SC Iowa
What does everyone consider long and short for chains??? 18” of chains doesn’t seem overly long to me but 6-8” would seem overly short.

Re: Understanding chain length [Re: red mt] #6168735
02/24/18 02:24 PM
02/24/18 02:24 PM
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,093
Hathaway Montana
Cathouse Jim Offline
trapper
Cathouse Jim  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,093
Hathaway Montana
Originally Posted By: red mt

Its my belief if they can move around some they move to get comfortable and end up Not fighting the trap as hard because they are not stuck in one place.




I agree, short factory chains in my area gunked up with mud and any grass would be braided around the chain making it like bridge cable. I had several pullouts. I read about the old timers using longsprings with long chains and not being on a regular check holding coyotes. So I started adding more chain ( 18" - 24" ). The longer chains made the area around the set more friendly for a remake. Most times it looked as if a deer or antelope had bedded down, not all dug up unless a badger happened along the set. Then it looked like a miniature volcano.

Edit - There is also anywhere from an additional 6" - 9" of chain from my superstakes added to that length.

Last edited by Cathouse Jim; 02/24/18 03:06 PM. Reason: Im getting old

"I've reached nearly fifty four years of age with my system."

NTA Life member
MTA Life member
Re: Understanding chain length [Re: eastwood44mag] #6168974
02/24/18 07:31 PM
02/24/18 07:31 PM
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,222
MN
Y
yukonal Offline
trapper
yukonal  Offline
trapper
Y

Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,222
MN
I believe that is the difference between extended checks, and 24 hr check. If I make a catch at between midnight and 6 in the morning, I'm there at 8 am. Animal has had very limited time to fight the trap. Out in the fields, in my sand country, there is very little...if any...mounding. In the cover, with grass, there is. The 3rd swivel makes a big difference there.

I wouldn't hesitate to use a longer chain tho, if I felt the need for it. It'd be no problem where I trap, as it is all private ground with no prying eyes to worry about.



Re: Understanding chain length [Re: red mt] #6169120
02/24/18 09:58 PM
02/24/18 09:58 PM
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 689
South Central PA
oneoldboot Offline
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oneoldboot  Offline
trapper

Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 689
South Central PA
Originally Posted By: red mt



This is a great photo!

Re: Understanding chain length [Re: eastwood44mag] #6169225
02/24/18 11:21 PM
02/24/18 11:21 PM
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,930
E central Il
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Golf ball Offline
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Golf ball  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,930
E central Il
I think if your wanting to run single stakes you should look to MR. Sterlings method of 30” or 32” of good welded chain. If you plan to run double stakes or earth anchors you can run short chains ( 8” to 10” ) with no fear.

Re: Understanding chain length [Re: eastwood44mag] #6169437
02/25/18 08:46 AM
02/25/18 08:46 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 344
Pennsylvania
C
coalbank Offline
trapper
coalbank  Offline
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C

Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 344
Pennsylvania
Lost 2 traps this season to coyotes pulling my crossed 21" rebar stakes. 1st time coyotes pulled them out. Have lost a couple to bears over the years but, this was new. I will say that on one of them the second stake went in pretty easy.

Has me rethinking my anchor system. Chains are 16-18" with shock spring.

Re: Understanding chain length [Re: eastwood44mag] #6170395
02/25/18 09:55 PM
02/25/18 09:55 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,355
SD
Boone Liane Offline
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Boone Liane  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,355
SD
Whats a "short" chain? 12"? 10"? 6"?

What a "long" chain? Two foot? Six?


The old timers used "long" chains, 3+ foot because their staking options sucked and go back far enough, weight and transport was an issue. Hardwood stakes, or natural drags and "clogs". They had to get the critter (especially coyotes) out a ways. Dog knot stakes were a game changer, and since we've seen chains get shorter and shorter.


With our staking options today, I see no reason to use more than two foot of chain for staked sets. There is no advantage to 3-4 feet of chain at these sets with the options we have in anchoring them today. In fact, at a buried, staked set, I see this much chain as a disadvantage, more crap to bury. Add in a stop shock spring, and its even more cost, and even more stuff to find a home for in a trap bed.

For what its worth, I use whatever length comes on a #3 Montana. Must be about 18".

As far as staking, you have to know your ground. I can knock in a single 24" piece of rebar in MOST of my country and never, ever, have to worry about it going anywhere. If its a little softer, I go up to 30". If its REAL soft (a real rarity, and treat, here), I use a 12" wolf fang.

Last edited by Boone Liane; 02/25/18 09:58 PM.
Re: Understanding chain length [Re: eastwood44mag] #6170413
02/25/18 10:15 PM
02/25/18 10:15 PM
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,222
MN
Y
yukonal Offline
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yukonal  Offline
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Y

Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,222
MN
Good stuff, Boone.

Re: Understanding chain length [Re: eastwood44mag] #6170915
02/26/18 11:28 AM
02/26/18 11:28 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
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The Beav  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
Willey Carol said the only reason the old time wolfers used long chains set ups was that It was easier when making re makes. And that makes sense


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Understanding chain length [Re: eastwood44mag] #6171086
02/26/18 02:32 PM
02/26/18 02:32 PM
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,930
E central Il
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Golf ball Offline
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,930
E central Il
I ran competition coon hounds for years and I know that you can drive a 20” smooth stake in the ground. Put a 4’ dog leash and a 65# amped up hound on the he end of it for three days and not have to worry about the stake being pulled. It only makes sense that a 35# coyote should not be a problem.
I have often thought that it may have been less trouble to use the long chain and smooth stake, especially after our ground freezes !

Re: Understanding chain length [Re: The Beav] #6171093
02/26/18 02:49 PM
02/26/18 02:49 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,073
montana
R
red mt Offline
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,073
montana
Originally Posted By: The Beav
Willey Carol said the only reason the old time wolfers used long chains set ups was that It was easier when making re makes. And that makes sense

About 75 % the reason I use a longer chain
Not because I worry about coyotes
It the bigger stuff that can cause problems


Kenneth schoening
Re: Understanding chain length [Re: Golf ball] #6171095
02/26/18 02:52 PM
02/26/18 02:52 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,073
montana
R
red mt Offline
trapper
red mt  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,073
montana
Originally Posted By: Golf ball
I ran competition coon hounds for years and I know that you can drive a 20” smooth stake in the ground. Put a 4’ dog leash and a 65# amped up hound on the he end of it for three days and not have to worry about the stake being pulled. It only makes sense that a 35# coyote should not be a problem.
I have often thought that it may have been less trouble to use the long chain and smooth stake, especially after our ground freezes !

There enough hard out there why make it harder.
I know lots of guys that do just that with rebar


Kenneth schoening
Re: Understanding chain length [Re: eastwood44mag] #6171269
02/26/18 06:24 PM
02/26/18 06:24 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
T
The Beav Offline
trapper
The Beav  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,797
Wisconsin
I went to just about 90% smooth rod this year. I will never go back to re bar. A lot easier to drive and a whole lot easier to remove. But I just about always cross stake so I'm not getting any stakes pulled. But It sure makes It easier on the trapper.


The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
Re: Understanding chain length [Re: The Beav] #6171273
02/26/18 06:29 PM
02/26/18 06:29 PM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,130
Upper Catskills , New York
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nightstalker1 Offline
trapper
nightstalker1  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,130
Upper Catskills , New York
A majority of the chain set-ups I am asked to put on modified traps for customers is between 16" - 18" long with 3 swivels


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Re: Understanding chain length [Re: eastwood44mag] #6171275
02/26/18 06:33 PM
02/26/18 06:33 PM
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,930
E central Il
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Golf ball Offline
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,930
E central Il
I was running 18” and 20” X 5/8” smooth stakes on about 24” of chain on the end of a #3 Vic catching 2 or 3 coyote before moving the stake. Seems kind of silly now no harder than it is to move a stake. I like the short chains on 18” of cable and a wolf fang like I’m using now but once the ground freezes I can’t pull the wolf fang. For frozen ground you might get by with a single stake and a short chain but I would still feel better and recommend the longer chain for any single staking situation!

I hope all that makes sense !

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