Re: Understanding chain length
[Re: eastwood44mag]
#6168119
02/23/18 10:55 PM
02/23/18 10:55 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,081 montana
red mt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,081
montana
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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
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Re: Understanding chain length
[Re: eastwood44mag]
#6168202
02/24/18 12:19 AM
02/24/18 12:19 AM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,626 Flint, Michigan
bhugo
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,626
Flint, Michigan
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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
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Re: Understanding chain length
[Re: red mt]
#6168414
02/24/18 09:24 AM
02/24/18 09:24 AM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,445 Southern Michigan
trappergbus
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,445
Southern Michigan
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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..
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Re: Understanding chain length
[Re: eastwood44mag]
#6168535
02/24/18 11:19 AM
02/24/18 11:19 AM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,361 Firth, Nebraska
jabNE
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,361
Firth, Nebraska
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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.
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Re: Understanding chain length
[Re: red mt]
#6168735
02/24/18 02:24 PM
02/24/18 02:24 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,093 Hathaway Montana
Cathouse Jim
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,093
Hathaway Montana
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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
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Re: Understanding chain length
[Re: eastwood44mag]
#6168974
02/24/18 07:31 PM
02/24/18 07:31 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,222 MN
yukonal
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,222
MN
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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.
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Re: Understanding chain length
[Re: eastwood44mag]
#6170395
02/25/18 09:55 PM
02/25/18 09:55 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,401 SD
Boone Liane
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,401
SD
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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.
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Re: Understanding chain length
[Re: eastwood44mag]
#6170413
02/25/18 10:15 PM
02/25/18 10:15 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,222 MN
yukonal
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,222
MN
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Re: Understanding chain length
[Re: eastwood44mag]
#6170915
02/26/18 11:28 AM
02/26/18 11:28 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,854 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,854
Wisconsin
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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
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Re: Understanding chain length
[Re: The Beav]
#6171093
02/26/18 02:49 PM
02/26/18 02:49 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,081 montana
red mt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,081
montana
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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
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Re: Understanding chain length
[Re: Golf ball]
#6171095
02/26/18 02:52 PM
02/26/18 02:52 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,081 montana
red mt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,081
montana
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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
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Re: Understanding chain length
[Re: eastwood44mag]
#6171269
02/26/18 06:24 PM
02/26/18 06:24 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,854 Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,854
Wisconsin
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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
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