I use a percentage of Bridger #2s on my canine line and is usually the trap I grab when setting up farms which have traditionally produced coyotes. This size trap usually results in full paw catches on coyotes due to the added jawspread over a #1.75.
I run a mixed canine line with 10-20 percent of my catch being coyotes. That means every trap I set has a good chance of catching a fox.
For many years, I disliked the size of the pan on the #2 Bridger. It is on the small side and I have witnessed on occasion a fox can step between the jaw and the pan without triggering the trap. It is of my opinion that a slightly larger pan would make this trap slightly more efficient for fox trapping.
I spoke with Josh Weik of Fur Shed Fabrication on what exactly I was looking for. I wanted a pan that was about the size of a Bridger #3 pan and close to the large pan that comes on the Bridger #2 Dogless.
Some guys just put Bridger #3 pans on their #2s but I never liked the fact that the pan wasn’t centered. I gave Josh some ideas on what I thought would be the perfect pan for a combo fox/coyote #2 square jaw.
I received my prototype pans today and initially I am super pleased. They are heavy duty with a beefy pan shank and good notch, and sit lower than the stock pans. They also provide a slightly larger kill area with a centered, good looking pan.
If one of these trap companies that have copied the old Northwoods #2 would have had the insight to improve the trap maybe I would have not had to go the aftermarket route.
Once we as trappers get the big things worked out with our systems it becomes time to concentrate on the little things. A few improvements in our methods when combined will add up to increase our production and efficiency.
Josh is a member on here and if you are interested in some of these give him a holler.
