Re: Weakening springs for muskrat traps
[Re: tlguy]
#6321914
09/10/18 06:03 PM
09/10/18 06:03 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,131 Wisconsin
The Beav
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I've been doing It for a few years. And It does improve your catch rate when trapping rats.
I built a jig so I could place the traps 12 at a time. It was just 2 pieces of wood and you placed the tang end of the trap frame In It. This held the trap In place and kept them at a angle so the springs were easy to heat.
I would start out with about 24 seconds per spring. Let cool and then set them. I ended up using about 35 seconds per spring.
I used one of those brenza-matic torches. The hottest part of the flame when adjusted Is the very tip. Try and keep the heating as even as you can. Then when you get done weakening the springs add on those over sized pans and you will have some rat killing gear.
When I started out trapping In the Dakotas with stools and floats I actually witnessed rats sitting right on top of the traps and not setting them off. Most of my traps were new Duke 1.75s and 1 1/2s and as you know they have very strong traps. Sure you can set with a hair trigger and catch rats but It's all about how many your missing. Those strong trap springs are always creating pressure against the dog even when setting on a hair trigger or when you short notch. Don't go over board. Do a few and see how you like them.
Last edited by The Beav; 09/10/18 06:05 PM.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: Weakening springs for muskrat traps
[Re: tlguy]
#6321996
09/10/18 07:04 PM
09/10/18 07:04 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,408 Wisconsin
RdFx
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Da Beav is back.....any moose meat?
RdFx
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Re: Weakening springs for muskrat traps
[Re: RdFx]
#6322045
09/10/18 07:43 PM
09/10/18 07:43 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,407 Manitoba
Northof50
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Da Beav is back.....any moose meat? Don't you mean SWAMP DONKEYS ?
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Re: Weakening springs for muskrat traps
[Re: tlguy]
#6322191
09/10/18 09:53 PM
09/10/18 09:53 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,783 Wisconsin
Green Bay
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Tlguy, I talked to Beav about this eight years ago. It makes a big difference especially when you are setting traps while standing in water. Easier on the hands, hard on the rats.
I would also add additional chain - to make about 30" long.
Brian
Author of The Lure Hunter: A Guide to Finding Fishing Lures
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Re: Weakening springs for muskrat traps
[Re: tlguy]
#6322207
09/10/18 10:04 PM
09/10/18 10:04 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,131 Wisconsin
The Beav
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And when you are running 200 to 300 traps per day It takes a lot less hand strength.
No moose or caribou. Lots of projects and hanging out with family.
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Re: Weakening springs for muskrat traps
[Re: tlguy]
#6322391
09/11/18 07:02 AM
09/11/18 07:02 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 10,109 St. Cloud, MN
trapperkeck
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If you are having trouble getting rat traps to fire, you need to get the right trap for the job. Get some #1.5 Bridgers with the paws-i-trip pans (which come standard) and you will have a better rat trap. They are also heavier and have a much smoother jaw. Give them a try, you won't be disappointed.
"The voice of reason!"
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Re: Weakening springs for muskrat traps
[Re: tlguy]
#6322699
09/11/18 02:28 PM
09/11/18 02:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,131 Wisconsin
The Beav
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Why go out and buy new traps when you can tweak the ones you have. That's what trappers do. And those paws I trip pans aren't as big as the add on pinch pans. And I my estimation still don't spring as easy as a weakened spring trap. Until you weaken those springs you will always have to much spring pressure pushing up on the dog.
Last edited by The Beav; 09/11/18 02:33 PM.
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Re: Weakening springs for muskrat traps
[Re: tlguy]
#6322997
09/11/18 08:36 PM
09/11/18 08:36 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,131 Wisconsin
The Beav
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That works to a point. But does that make your trap spring to easy?
I like a full notch I want that trap going off with that critter fully committed. So I get a high catch on that rat or mink. A bit of pan drop before the trap springs Isn't to critical when trapping rats and mink.
But It's all about what works for you on your line.
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Re: Weakening springs for muskrat traps
[Re: tlguy]
#6323008
09/11/18 08:45 PM
09/11/18 08:45 PM
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Posts: 10,109 St. Cloud, MN
trapperkeck
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My remarks about the Bridger #1.5s was geared towards not ruining your springs, and being able to use your traps for other critters. Seems silly to go to all that trouble, ruining the springs, when the solution is as simple as purchasing the right product to begin with. Beav, have you ever used the Bridgers? I have taken several thousand rats with them, and the Dukes, and the Bridgers are a far better choice from what I have seen.
Last edited by trapperkeck; 09/11/18 08:46 PM.
"The voice of reason!"
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Re: Weakening springs for muskrat traps
[Re: tlguy]
#6323019
09/11/18 08:57 PM
09/11/18 08:57 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 10,109 St. Cloud, MN
trapperkeck
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Let me expand on my previous post. The Bridgers, because of the pan design, fire much easier than the Dukes, without destroying the springs. They will fire almost as easily as a long spring and still be, somewhat, immune to being set off by wave slap. They also have a very fur friendly, rounded, jaw compared to the Duke. I get the whole, sore hands thing, but I'm not about to spend the time and money required to make $60 worth of traps into $20 worth of traps to make a rat-specific trap. I can find better "tinkering" projects. LOL
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Re: Weakening springs for muskrat traps
[Re: tlguy]
#6323023
09/11/18 09:02 PM
09/11/18 09:02 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,131 Wisconsin
The Beav
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I have 400 1 1/2 dukes and they are geared toward rat trapping. But I have held lots of mink and even coon. Once the trap has sprung It's locked up and heavy springs aren't needed for this type of trapping. But the most important aspect Is that I don't have to go out and buy 400 new Bridgers. LOL
And I have a pretty good arsenal of coyote traps. And quit trapping coon and beaver so I'm good to go.
You said you've caught 1000s of rats In those traps and I don't doubt It. But how many have you missed? I have caught 1000s of rats In brand new 1 1/2 Dukes right out of the box. But once I saw lots of rat sitting on top of those traps and eating the bait with out setting off the trap I started to wondering how many was I MISSING. Once I pussified the springs my catch rate went up per check. The other thing Is the hand fatigue Issue. Set 300 + traps per day on the rat line and your going to feel It. No big deal setting a couple doz each day but make that 300 and It's going to leave a mark.
They work for me and lots of other rat trappers do It like I explained.
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Re: Weakening springs for muskrat traps
[Re: tlguy]
#6323047
09/11/18 09:27 PM
09/11/18 09:27 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 10,109 St. Cloud, MN
trapperkeck
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I have to admit, if I already owned them (Dukes), I wouldn't be selling them cheap and replacing with Bridgers. I'm just saying there are better alternatives for no muss-no fuss rat traps if a person is hunting for new stuff or good, used, alternatives.
"The voice of reason!"
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Re: Weakening springs for muskrat traps
[Re: trapperkeck]
#6323133
09/11/18 11:26 PM
09/11/18 11:26 PM
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Steven 49er
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My remarks about the Bridger #1.5s was geared towards not ruining your springs, and being able to use your traps for other critters. Seems silly to go to all that trouble, ruining the springs, when the solution is as simple as purchasing the right product to begin with. Beav, have you ever used the Bridgers? I have taken several thousand rats with them, and the Dukes, and the Bridgers are a far better choice from what I have seen. I've used the Bridgers. I don't care for them personally. I've won a few dozen since at various banquets and I end up giving them away. It all boils down to the individual.
"Gold is money, everything else is just credit" JP Morgan
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