I have the opportunity to trap some isolated parts of the Mark Twain National Forest this year as I just bought a farm that has 77 acres up against about 800 acres of a 2,400 acre section of the national forest where there are no access roads for the public.

This area is allegedly loaded with red and grey fox. I usually just trap coyotes and bobcat. So most my traps are MB650's and Duke #4. I also have a couple dozen cable restraints as well. I typically use two traps at sets and set one MB and one duke.

I am wanting to buy some more small traps to specifically target foxes. I really like the MB brand and was thinking of getting some of them. However someone said for fox on public ground to use dukes with only two coil springs and perhaps trapping someones dog or even theft.

What does everyone use for foxes. I like to buy once and cry once. I was thinking of going with some bridgers the middle ground between dukes and MB traps.

I catch a few fox a year and I love the 1.75 bridgers, the only downfall I can find with them is when you catch a coyote in them they will need to be straightened back out the pan is their weak point. The jaw edges will take some work because they are a little rough at the start.

Check out the Bridger 1.65. Plenty of trap for fox and will hold incidental coyotes and cats.

I’m a fan of the 450s, but if it’s on public land I’d definitely go with a cheaper trap.

#2 dukes have worked well me. My all time favorite is a Northwoods 1 3/4 fox. But they aren’t made any more.

I used 1 1/2 traps for along time for fox. Now In possible high traffic area I use #2 Dukes. These have been surprisingly good traps. Have caught and held a lot of coyotes in them. Plus you are not going to break the bank buying them. If I wasn't worried about theft I probably would stick to the Bridger trap in maybe a #2. Or the MB in a 550.

11/2 dukes are a fine fox trap. I use them until the ground freezes. Then I use Bridger 1.75 o/s I can bed them better in frozen ground.
I assume you will be on foot so weight might be an issue.
I usually set a minimum of 4 traps per site. Sometimes more. All depends on scouting and sign.

Montgomery 1.5 step ins.

Zim

I use MB450s but I o ly trap private land for fox. I started with Duke 1.75s and will use them on fencelinez that boarder state.

These or Victor #2 doublelongsprings. My personal preferences. To each their own. There are a lot of different traps available that will do a decent job on fox.

Seeing as how you have greys,I'd use the smallest possible.I did not like the results of anything bigger than a 11/2 coil on greys.And they hold any red in this country.

#2 dbls, vic or b&l for me

Well that was a lot of help wasn't it!

Mine too. I still run them on my fox line and they hold the occasional yote just fine. I think the 1.75 Bridger is a pretty close copy.

X2.

Same.

NO-BS 1.5 laminated or #2 dls

Geeze guys. They are fox...not gorillas. Doesn't take much to hold a fox. Any standard 1.5 will hold fox just fine. No need to over do it if JUST fox is the target.


Lots of options but I would probably lean towards the Bridger 1.75 as its basically a 1.5 with rounded jaw edges. And heavy duty enough where it won't disassemble if a coyote steps in it.

1.75 Victor O/S for me would be my first choice!

Duke 1 1/2 coils !