Hello, I'm new to trapping. So I've got a LOT of questions. My first is about staking my sets. I'm going to use some rebar with big washers welded on the tops. But I was reading the page describing dirt hole sets and flat sets. It mentioned useing the double staking method for coyotes. This is a dumb question I know,but could someone explain the double staking method to me please?
I think I posted this in the right place. But apologies if I didn't.

You angle the rebar in the ground. Use 1 of those butterfly devices with a j hook. It has 2 holes, 1 for each rebar.

Ok thanks. I'll try and find some of those butterflie devices. Where is the best place to get them?

This:
http://www.minntrapprod.com/mobile/Double-Stake-Swivels/productinfo/DSW-100/

http://sullivansline.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=5856


https://www.ebay.com/itm/25-Cross-Staking-Swivels-traps-trapping-/370257708451 (good picture)



http://www.minntrapprod.com/Double-Stake-Swivels/productinfo/DSW-100/ (better price)


unless your using 30 inches of trap chain don't single stake. if you use a long trap chain use a long stake also. at least 24 inches and longer if your ground warrants it. stake down a trap and give it a pull. remember an animal may be pulling for several hours. if your in doubt do something different. a coyote WILL test your equipment. Ive had good success cross staking. (double stake) works very well. except in loose sand or mud 18 inch stakes hold very well.

https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/241203-estwing-28-oz-framing-hammer.html
good tool. near indestructible. claws dig trap beds and pull stakes. hammer drives stakes and handy for all kind of stuff. if you don't lose it you can will it to your great grand kids.

Hope these help answer some questions.

how to short latch. no need to fool around with two notches. dog in the notch and your done.


before


after


before
trap dog can move every which way. when the pan goes down the dog moves forward with it. dog travel can be so great the trap wont even fire. fixing this is IMPORTANT. whether you short latch, nite latch or just eyeball the dog in your pan notch.


the dog should only travel up and down. not back and forth

Are all your traps that rusty?
You would never find a trap in that condition In my shed.

Back to staking.

If you take a 18" re bar stake and put a bend In It about half way down It's length. And It doesn't have to be to much of a bend. This makes that stake just about impossible to pull. It's also a bit hard to drive but It works. BW who Is one of the best coyote trappers out there put me on to that little trick.

X2 on BW's bent stake Beav mentioned... it works like a charm. I bend 24" 3/8 rebar 1/3 way from the bottom at a 30% angle and have no trouble holding anything around here... but we have no coyote population, or virtually none anyway... a 4' stake puller under the nut on top pops them right out... a quick fix for those that have rebar. It's a little different twist on the old "dogknot" stakes...

beav my daughter gave that trap to me a few years ago. she bought a box full at an estate auction. I took those pictures before I used tannic acid (logwood) on it. people need to know there is more than one way to board a cat. this meet your requirements?

I have a new stake puller His name Is Leroy just kidding.
I went out and bought one of those old timey bumper jacks. I had my buddy lazer cut a hole and a slot In a piece of 3/8ths steel. I can drop that puller piece over the washer on the stake then slide the slot on to the stake so It locks up. There Is another hole where I have attached a section of chain. The chain link drops over the end of the bumper jack. It's not to heavy but I wouldn't be lugging It all over the country side. But working from your truck or ATV It's a back saver.

Wolfdog 91: Thank you for the great information and pictures. Those are some great tools for teaching beginners.

Danny Clifton: I have filed the pan notch on my traps for years. I was always pushing the dog over towards it when setting. Guess it never occurred to me to close up the dog loop. Thanks for the info! Now I have a BUNCH of mods to make on my old traps...lol!

Just jerkin your chain Danny. LOL

Earth anchors beat a stake any day, and twice on Sunday!