Strictly Trapping


No Profanity *** No Flaming *** No Advertising *** No Anti Trappers *** No Politics
No Non-Target Catches *** No Links to Anti-trapping Sites *** No Avoiding Profanity Filter


Home~Trap Talk~ADC Forum~Trap Shed~Wilderness Trapping~International Trappers~Fur Handling

Auction Forum~Trapper Tips~Links~Gallery~Basic Sets~Convention Calendar~Chat~ Trap Collecting Forum

Trapper's Humor~Strictly Trapping~Fur Buyers Directory~Mugshots~Fur Sale Directory~Wildcrafting

Trapper's Tales~Words From The Past~Legends~Archives~Kids Forum~Lure Formulators Forum


~~~ Dobbins' Products Catalog ~~~


Trading Post
(Please support F&T Trading Post, our sponsor for the Trapping Only Forum)



TrappersPost
Please support Trappers post, a sponsor of the Strictly Trapping Forum



Print Thread
Hop To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? #6342033
10/06/18 08:57 PM
10/06/18 08:57 PM
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 11
Western NY State
S
steveWNY Offline OP
trapper
steveWNY  Offline OP
trapper
S

Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 11
Western NY State
I'm purchasing weasel boxes with rough dimensions of 5” high x 5” wide x 13” long, and like the idea of using snap-style rat traps, but also want to consider long spring options- like #1 or #1 1/2. The dexterity in my hands is not what it used to be, and I think the long springs might be a bit easier to handle. I was unsure if the 1 1/2 would fit in the box since I didn't have one handy. What do you folks think?


Thanks in advance.

Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: steveWNY] #6342034
10/06/18 08:58 PM
10/06/18 08:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,007
WI - Wisconsin
A
AJE Offline
trapper
AJE  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,007
WI - Wisconsin
#1

Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: steveWNY] #6342058
10/06/18 09:27 PM
10/06/18 09:27 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat Offline
trapper
bctomcat  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
#1 but why not a rat trap?


The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.






Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: steveWNY] #6342487
10/07/18 01:57 PM
10/07/18 01:57 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,459
Montana
Taximan Offline
trapper
Taximan  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,459
Montana
Joe,I can't say that long tails won't enter but at least here,I have had that problem.I only run a handful of weasel traps,if any so I don't have the numbers to draw strong conclusions from,as some do.I have usually been targeting long tails though.A couple years ago,a member from Utah,also reported having trouble getting long tails to go in boxes.It honestly makes no sense to me as all weasels are fearless and are in and out of holes all the time.

I'd be interested in hearing other's experiences with long tails and boxes.

Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: steveWNY] #6342842
10/07/18 09:50 PM
10/07/18 09:50 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 431
central wisconsin
D
deerfly Offline
trapper
deerfly  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 431
central wisconsin
I like a 1.5 longspring. I use rat snap traps also but prefer the 1.5 long. Ive caught all 3 types of weasels in them. All in boxes with a 2" hole or smaller. I dont seem to have many long tails here as 1 in 100 will be a longtail. Most times for me the catch is made as the weasel is leaving the box. Fun critters to catch! Good luck

Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: steveWNY] #6342899
10/07/18 11:35 PM
10/07/18 11:35 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,384
Pennsylvania
H
Hern Offline
trapper
Hern  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,384
Pennsylvania
I trapped Weasels years back. Nowadays, we have a very low population.
I always use #0, in boxes.
Too large a foothold, will create body catches. Larger, rusty traps will stain fur. Its added work to remove rust stain from fur.
With a Rat snap trap, small piece of tubing can be placed on strike bar to prevent rust stain fur.


Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: steveWNY] #6343015
10/08/18 07:18 AM
10/08/18 07:18 AM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,064
NY
R
rendezvous Offline
trapper
rendezvous  Offline
trapper
R

Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,064
NY
steveWNY, if you use #1 or #1-1/2, anchor it for the largest animal you might catch... coon, bobcat, fisher???

I prefer the rat traps, the large yellow pans too.



You can get them coming or going. I have only caught one longtail(CNY), but that was in a #155 set for Fisher.

Last edited by rendezvous; 10/08/18 07:22 AM.

Let's go Brandon!
Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: steveWNY] #6343071
10/08/18 08:48 AM
10/08/18 08:48 AM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,666
Idaho, Lemhi County
G
Gulo Offline
"On The Other Hand"
Gulo  Offline
"On The Other Hand"
G

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,666
Idaho, Lemhi County
Taximan and others...

For years, I read the threads and otherwise heard about the upper midwest guys hammering big numbers of weasels in the boxes, using either longsprings or rat traps. Periodically around where I live, we have good numbers of weasels (both long-tails and short-tails). Nearly half a century ago while marten trapping in Idaho, pretty much every time I'd see a weasel track, I could get it by nailing a rat trap to a tree about 2 feet above the snow level, pan down with a small chunk of meat wired to the pan. However, that method also resulted in quite a few bird catches, and is no longer legal (as it should be). I've taken many dozen weasels in Alaska and Idaho as incidentals in my mink and marten boxes. I wanted to take advantage of these high weasel numbers now that I'm back in Idaho, so I built 36 of the boxes with large-pan rat traps. Tried every conceivable bait, lure, bait/lure combination, etc. All were set on fresh sign. Had over 500 trapnights a couple winters ago. Often had fresh tracks actually bumping into the boxes, running all around, but virtually never going into the boxes. Finally caught one measly short-tail with over 500 trapnights. Was astounded that they wouldn't work. Talked to a few other trappers down here that pretty much had the same experience. Never did figure it out. Catching coyotes, wolves, grizzly bears, wolverine, even Siberian tigers and leopards? No problem. High numbers of the lowly weasel, even with tracks everywhere? Nope!



Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: steveWNY] #6343108
10/08/18 09:31 AM
10/08/18 09:31 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,384
Pennsylvania
H
Hern Offline
trapper
Hern  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,384
Pennsylvania
rendezvous, I make my boxes with no bottom.
Then add lawn clippings




Weasel dropping in yellow circle

Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: Gulo] #6343123
10/08/18 09:41 AM
10/08/18 09:41 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,384
Pennsylvania
H
Hern Offline
trapper
Hern  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,384
Pennsylvania
Gulo states- Often had fresh tracks actually bumping into the boxes, running all around,
I also saw this reaction, when my brother & I were boys running a line. We solved that problem with blind sets. Some of our boxes ended up looking like additions to both sides or more like a small brush pile.
Even saw enough Fox circle boxes that took me years later to figure out to make Fox blind sets near my boxes. Back in those days, trapping info was hard to come by because folks were closed lipped.

Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: steveWNY] #6343184
10/08/18 11:15 AM
10/08/18 11:15 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,459
Montana
Taximan Offline
trapper
Taximan  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,459
Montana
Gulo,thanks for the information.I don't feel so crazy now.

Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: steveWNY] #6343468
10/08/18 07:46 PM
10/08/18 07:46 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,261
james bay frontierOnt.
B
Boco Offline
trapper
Boco  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,261
james bay frontierOnt.
Try a juice can with one side squashed flat,bait in the back and a 1.5 ls in front with the loose jaw held up with a nail thru top of can.
Been a long time since I used that killer set.

Last edited by Boco; 10/08/18 07:49 PM.

Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: steveWNY] #6343518
10/08/18 08:37 PM
10/08/18 08:37 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 431
central wisconsin
D
deerfly Offline
trapper
deerfly  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 431
central wisconsin
I think for many reasons. I would think it centers them over your trap pan. Jumping down onto the 1.5 longspring on their way in or useing the pan as a platform before they jump out. I think the hole peaks their curiousity as far as their hunting style and natural habits. It also makes the set less likely to catch non-targets.
Although weasels are not trapshy i feel if you set a 1.5 longspring in a box flat like every other box you have seen with an open end without the hole one would miss far more. And probably pick up more non targets. I like 1.5 longsprings as well because they can be used on mink and muskrats as well.

Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: joepennanti] #6353368
10/21/18 09:58 PM
10/21/18 09:58 PM
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 11
Western NY State
S
steveWNY Offline OP
trapper
steveWNY  Offline OP
trapper
S

Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 11
Western NY State
Hi Joe- I ended up purchasing #1 LS, and will likely purchases some 1 1/5s as well.


Thanks to you and the rest of the folks for your feedback (and the weasel box pics as well).

Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: steveWNY] #6353520
10/22/18 06:57 AM
10/22/18 06:57 AM
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 225
PA
Charles2 Offline
trapper
Charles2  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 225
PA
In PA, would rat snap traps be considered a body grip and therefore be required set in a watercourse as other BG traps are?


Charles2Trap
Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: steveWNY] #6353526
10/22/18 07:00 AM
10/22/18 07:00 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,384
Pennsylvania
H
Hern Offline
trapper
Hern  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,384
Pennsylvania
Yep

Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: steveWNY] #6353532
10/22/18 07:08 AM
10/22/18 07:08 AM
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 225
PA
Charles2 Offline
trapper
Charles2  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 225
PA
Longsprings for the boxes set everywhere else. Put up fresh chicken and beef liver along with beaver for bait, but am going to wait a few weeks to set. This will be my 1st year seriously trapping them and I am not sure when they change to their white color phase.


Charles2Trap
Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: steveWNY] #6353546
10/22/18 07:34 AM
10/22/18 07:34 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,835
Pa
W
Wright Brothers Offline
trapper
Wright Brothers  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,835
Pa
More than one trap per box is also a no-no in Pa.
I miss Joe from here, he kept us straight without throwing the book at us. Ned was that way too.

I could never find a definite "time" when they changed color. Caught a couple that were brown and white. Caught quite a few around chickens.





Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: Charles2] #6353563
10/22/18 07:57 AM
10/22/18 07:57 AM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,064
NY
R
rendezvous Offline
trapper
rendezvous  Offline
trapper
R

Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,064
NY
Originally Posted By: Charles2
Longsprings for the boxes set everywhere else. Put up fresh chicken and beef liver along with beaver for bait, but am going to wait a few weeks to set. This will be my 1st year seriously trapping them and I am not sure when they change to their white color phase.




I caught this longtail October 29th in a Fisher set, I am quite north of the PA border.
They are pretty interesting little critters, good luck to you!


Let's go Brandon!
Re: What Size Long Spring for Weasel Box? [Re: steveWNY] #6353614
10/22/18 08:56 AM
10/22/18 08:56 AM
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 225
PA
Charles2 Offline
trapper
Charles2  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 225
PA
Thanks Rendzvous.


Charles2Trap
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

Moderated by  Drifter, Wolfdog91 

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1