I have never used them and want to get a dozen or two. I like buying American made and liked the looks and description of Freedom Brands FB1. What is everyone else using and why?

Duke with pull only trigger. It appears to reduce the number of non-targets IME.

Look at the KO DP traps. Very reasonable price, and Kendall is top notch.

Even though theyre not made in America like youre wanting, I prefer Duke not for the cost but I prefer a pull only trigger, where a FB1 is a push/pull trigger. Just my preference, but the FB1 is a very nice trap.

x2

Bridger T3 for pull only. Push/pull coon dagger.

I started out with leg hold traps, then Coon Cuffs and Bandit Busters, then came Lil'Grizz, I got 2 dozen of them and that's all I used for a long time and now I've add 7 dozen Duke's DPs for taking coons, the only thing that I've done to up grade them is I've added caps to them.

From the recommendations I received on the forum, and reading many reviews, I purchased 2 dozen Z-Traps. Yes they are more money, but I am well pleased w/ the results. Not going to say they are better than any others, cause I cant compare. But for paint job, and durability, I will buy more this summer for next season. I caught some really big coons this past season, that chewed and twisted and even had a few try to climb some trees w/ them, and no pull outs. One side note, Z-trap has a push -pull trigger, I found that I did better by just filling the trap about half full and tilting it forward. that way if they reach in and push down on the food and it trips the trap, they are still caught. Take care, "Bayou"...

I hope they suit you.

I have arthritic fingers and found the springs ridiculously strong, making them VERY hard to set (so I now build a setter for them--fit all that style DP) which by default makes them harder to trip---same as a 4 coil foothold.
Selling my z-traps.

Agreed.

Bridger T3s over the Ztraps..

Duke right now, will look at PTA convention, try some others.

Putting caps on your DPs will stop all most all non-target animals.

Really like my Z’s.

The best on the market, EZ traps or Z traps. Your dollar would be well spent buying these !!!!!

I just bought 2 dz of the T3 Bridgers for a small 600 acre coon and coyote job. Hope they work well. Have caught afew in T3s before is why I got them. Ztraps = got cleaned out alot when i used them?

Soil composition is a key factor in DP use. Here we end up with a lot of mud....The duke style stabilizers are about useless as they get pulled out before the trigger is tripped.

I snap all my dukes into a holder now (and won't be buying any more).

I like a more aggressive stabilizer that holds better in soft soils.

I agree with Calvin on soils. Have used egg traps, Alcatraz, Duke, Griz and a hundred Ztraps. I like them all except the eggs. Each has a place on my line.

I haven't had that issue with Dukes. I spear a marshmallow on the trigger. Maybe that is the difference?

COON DAGGERS ROCK !!!

AMERICAN MADE.

BUILT LIKE A TANK.

GREAT CLEAN OUT FEATURE.

GREAT STABILIZER.

GREAT CHAIN.

w

I am going to buy a few to test this season. I have handled them and like them. IF they work well I may consider stocking up if I need more. I think I have 80 or 90 Dukes so with the current state of things that may be all I ever need unless I have to replace them for some reason.

I really like the PCS Feather Light. No misfires and no pullouts. I use them for ADC work and predator management work. They make me look good to customers who are paying me for results not excuses. I don’t know why they are not more popular in the discussions.

Pull only trigger, cast aluminum body, stainless steel components, excellent stabilization, great chain and swivels, and made in the USA.

I spray them with Rustoleum white primer. They hold the primer very well.

Give them a try.

I only have had Z's but havent had a reason to try others yet!

thanks Walleyed.

I have used Duke, the Freedom Brands and the Z Trap. For some reason, and I really can't explain why I have caught a significant many more in the Duke traps than any of the other. I mixed and shuffled them around to ensure that it was not just location to make sure but any many hot spots where I was hitting with Dukes I would come up empty with the others. Other times I would catch nothing with the others, then switch to the Dukes and catch coons........Just my experience and my opinion. Probably the simpler trigger.

I Have Experienced Similar Results When Using The Duke Dp And The Z-trap Side By Side As Well.

Most Of The Time, The Duke Would Be Fired With A Coon In It, While The Z-Trap Sat Empty

Cleaned Out Of It Bait.


I've Had No Hands On Experience with The Freedom Brand DP So I Can't Comment On Them



I Don't Have The Time or Inclination To Screw Around With ANY DP Adjusting It In A Season Long

Attempt To Solve Trigger Firing Issues In A Trapline Trial & Error Clinic.


A DP Should Work Flawlessly Right Out Of The Box Without Any Additional Monkeying Around Trying To Get

It To Fire.


Dukes Do That Adequately, And Z-traps Really Didn't For Me.

All That Being Said, COON DAGGERS Have So Many More Top Quality Features, Quality Construction,

And The All-Important Added Bonus Of Being ALL AMERICAN MADE And They Dependably Catch Coon.



COON DAGGGERS ROCK !!!!!


walleyed

After reading this thread, I'll buy some Coon Daggers now. I have a dozen bridgers.

Someone traps coon on purpose? Dukes seem to work ok for me.

That's really kind of a though question because of the variables.
When the little Griz came out I was using the Egg Trap with great success, but those who have used them know that you have to take them apart to remove the catch and reset them. So I would have a bucket load preset and baited, simply remove the catch and trap, quick link a new trap in place and move on. I would do all the work in the fur shed, removing the trap, clean it, reset and bait it for the next day. Coon loved the plastic trap.

I got some Griz when they came out but still had a higher catch rate with the Egg trap. I have switched to Z-trap and Duke with success but to me the throat/tube of the trap is to long. I won't him caught when he first reaches in the trap. Every one has a preference and what they like. Go with what works for you.

JMO
B

Does the PCS have a round trigger or a peg?I think it is pull only.

$97.00 a dozen made in America

Kermit - The PCS Feather Light has a peg and is a pull only trap made of cast aluminum. And of course Made in the U.S.A.

Here is a link to a video I shot years ago using the PCS Feather Light trap.

https://youtu.be/21LObuMg20c

great tool,i just have problem with mink,fox,cats rats and others being excluded as an incidentals.mostly my style of trapping and the remoteness of my area.i do have a dozen of the original grizz's that i lend out to landowners now instead of bulky cage traps.

^^^ I'm with ya. It's hard for me to set a dp, knowing that I would miss out on a different critter.