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Over thinking pan tension ? #6368957
11/09/18 12:57 AM
11/09/18 12:57 AM
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,311
Indiana
K
kyron4 Offline OP
trapper
kyron4  Offline OP
trapper
K

Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,311
Indiana
Every season I seem to find myself obsessing with the pan tension on my traps. Is it to much, is it not enough, will I miss a coon , will I toe catch a yote ? and so on. Is pan tension really just a way of keep no targets out of sets ? Are "floppy" pan less effective ? I try to set mine by feel and give it just enough to keep the pan from falling and end up with between 1 to 2 lbs. when measured on a tester. Any insight on the topic ? -Thanks

Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: kyron4] #6368987
11/09/18 05:53 AM
11/09/18 05:53 AM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,828
Southwest Michigan
M
Michigan Trappin Offline
trapper
Michigan Trappin  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,828
Southwest Michigan
I prefer floppy pans, but my soil is mostly clay so I need the pan to fall easy. But it does mean even when a squirrel or a rabbit or opossum go over the set. It will go off


Every day is a gift from GOD, don't waste it!!

If they have plenty of food, give them something interesting to smell
Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: kyron4] #6368998
11/09/18 06:48 AM
11/09/18 06:48 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,253
Port Republic South Jersey
N
Newt Offline
trapper
Newt  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,253
Port Republic South Jersey
3#


South Jersey Trapping and Snaring School
January 19-20-21 2024
NEWT -----------------OVER----------------









www.snareone.com
Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: kyron4] #6369020
11/09/18 07:26 AM
11/09/18 07:26 AM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 13,059
Ky
J
jbyrd63 Offline
trapper
jbyrd63  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 13,059
Ky
Just like the old men at a nudist colony !!! LET IT FLOP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: kyron4] #6369033
11/09/18 07:46 AM
11/09/18 07:46 AM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947
South metro, MN
C
Calvin Offline
trapper
Calvin  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947
South metro, MN
Pan tension on land traps is an individual thing. It's just one of those things you have to find what works for you. Don't let anyone tell you what is right for you.

How many thousands and thousands of coyotes did, and does, that Vet from Indiana catch on a floppy pan? Works for him.

As far as missing coon, I was told I would miss and toe catch coon when I started using my floppy pan/oversized pinch pan traps for coon. I found the opposite happened. My catch rate went up.

Yes, you're overthinking it. But pay attention and find the sweet spot that works for you. It can take some time.

And you don't need a worthless trap tester ( dumbest thing I've ever bought). Once you find what works for you, you'll know how much it is with your thumb.

Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: kyron4] #6369131
11/09/18 09:41 AM
11/09/18 09:41 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,770
N.W. Iowa
T
Tactical.20 Offline
trapper
Tactical.20  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,770
N.W. Iowa
3 lbs

Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: kyron4] #6369395
11/09/18 02:06 PM
11/09/18 02:06 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,414
Idaho Falls, Idaho
F
Furvor Offline
trapper
Furvor  Offline
trapper
F

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,414
Idaho Falls, Idaho
There is no 'one size fits all.'

Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: kyron4] #6369474
11/09/18 03:41 PM
11/09/18 03:41 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,761
Central, SD
Law Dog Offline
trapper
Law Dog  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,761
Central, SD
I like a tight pan with short travel to it, the paw is more committed that way!


Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!

Jerry Herbst
Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: kyron4] #6369475
11/09/18 03:46 PM
11/09/18 03:46 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,423
Blue Creek, Ohio
Hal Offline
"old windy fartbag"
Hal  Offline
"old windy fartbag"

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,423
Blue Creek, Ohio
Here is a trapper that speaks from years and years of observation and experience.


[Linked Image]
La pervenche est une tr�s belle couleur!!


Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: kyron4] #6369480
11/09/18 03:58 PM
11/09/18 03:58 PM
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 16,951
OH
Catch22 Offline
trapper
Catch22  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 16,951
OH
For me, I believe pan tension is mainly to exclude non-targets when discussing everything but maybe yotes, then it's personal opinion. This year trapping groundhogs I had all my traps fine tuned to the way I prefer with great success. I won't get in to all the things I do but regarding pan tension I don't like a floppy pan that you can move side to side. I drill out the pan bolt hole with a 3/16" bit and replace my pan bolt, nut and washer with #10 SS. That gets rid of a lot of false drop, and I tighten them to where the pan has no side to side play and won't quite fall freely on it's own. I caught everything from grinners to fox and had good deep catches. Been doing it this way a long time. I'm by far no authority on yotes so I won't comment on that other than to say I have mine set between 2.5 and 3.5 lbs. Hope this helps kyron4.


I wonder if tap dancers walk into a room, look at the floor, and think, I'd tap that. I wonder about things.....
Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: kyron4] #6369482
11/09/18 04:02 PM
11/09/18 04:02 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,423
Blue Creek, Ohio
Hal Offline
"old windy fartbag"
Hal  Offline
"old windy fartbag"

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,423
Blue Creek, Ohio
Blah, blah, blah. Here's a wanna be trapper who only wishes he could bring to the table the wisdom and experience that "Law Dog" has.


[Linked Image]
La pervenche est une tr�s belle couleur!!


Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: kyron4] #6369488
11/09/18 04:09 PM
11/09/18 04:09 PM
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 16,951
OH
Catch22 Offline
trapper
Catch22  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 16,951
OH
[Linked Image]


I wonder if tap dancers walk into a room, look at the floor, and think, I'd tap that. I wonder about things.....
Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: Hal] #6369505
11/09/18 04:33 PM
11/09/18 04:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,001
USA MN
Snowpa Online content
trapper
Snowpa  Online Content
trapper

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,001
USA MN
Originally Posted by Hal
Blah, blah, blah. Here's a wanna be trapper who only wishes he could bring to the table the wisdom and experience that "Law Dog" has.





I use a snug but no tension catch lots of coyotes and guess what no misses to speak of . how many tracks show almost had enough weight on the edge of that pan ? Law Dog is a pretty good trapper but there are a lot of them here, So its not all Hals way or no way, talk about a wanna be big shot!"old windy fartbag" self acclaimed

Last edited by Snowpa; 11/09/18 04:35 PM.

Never Confuse Stupid With Crazy
Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: kyron4] #6369522
11/09/18 04:58 PM
11/09/18 04:58 PM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,483
PA
P
PAskinner Offline
trapper
PAskinner  Offline
trapper
P

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,483
PA
So, if a person has both coyotes and gray fox, how much tension?
Do people actually carry a tester on the line? I know my opinion, but interested in others.


Right now I’m having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this before.
Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: Hal] #6369534
11/09/18 05:08 PM
11/09/18 05:08 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,761
Central, SD
Law Dog Offline
trapper
Law Dog  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,761
Central, SD
Originally Posted by Hal
Blah, blah, blah. Here's a wanna be trapper who only wishes he could bring to the table the wisdom and experience that "Law Dog" has.



Do not get me involved in your BS it's all a game and I want no part of it!!!


Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!

Jerry Herbst
Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: kyron4] #6369813
11/09/18 09:45 PM
11/09/18 09:45 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 507
Ky
W
WHSKR Offline
trapper
WHSKR  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 507
Ky
Pan tension is pretty simple to adjust up or down. Do what works for ya and keep track of what your seeing on your catches. Are you targeting yotes or are ya targeting smaller critters. Or do you just to want catch every furbearer that steps on the trap along with the rabbits and other critters.
Personally I turn the tension up a bit if I am targeting yotes or beaver. It seems to work for me.

Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: kyron4] #6369862
11/09/18 10:23 PM
11/09/18 10:23 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,602
Oregon 66
bfflobo Offline
trapper
bfflobo  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,602
Oregon 66
Most of my thoughts have already been said. BUT:
No side slop
Snug on the down side
Use more pan tension on my cat traps because they are exposed and I want to eliminate small stuff

Pan tension and Toe Catches is MOSTLY misguided information in my opinion. Most toe catches are due to traps that don't lock up. Started out as a foot catch and the foot slid out to the last bumps on the foot. Toe pads.


Clean traps,tight lines,straight shooting
http://i.imgur.com/3sawxE9m.jpg
Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: kyron4] #6369947
11/09/18 11:56 PM
11/09/18 11:56 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,761
Central, SD
Law Dog Offline
trapper
Law Dog  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,761
Central, SD
Here is my take on it it's a regional thing somewhat, in mild temps/weather it's not that big a deal but in extreme climate changes the tighter pan is your friend often. With freezing/thawing, drifting or heavy snow, blowing dirt the covering over the trap can change in thickness, weight and tension it will have a impact on a set.

So if you have a couple inches of wet heavy slush/melting snow on top of your trap the gap in the distance to fire the trap is increased. So a hair/light trigger will fire easier then a tighter pan getting a toe catch or a total miss even.


Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!

Jerry Herbst
Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: kyron4] #6369970
11/10/18 12:36 AM
11/10/18 12:36 AM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,132
SWMo.
T
tjm Offline
trapper
tjm  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,132
SWMo.
Good point, but when that trap closes over the pad standing 2-3" higher than the pan (held up there by snow and pan tension) the jaws are going to be effectively 3" smaller and as such likely won't reach above the foot anyway?

Re: Over thinking pan tension ? [Re: tjm] #6369974
11/10/18 12:53 AM
11/10/18 12:53 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,583
The Panhandle of Alaska
M
mad_mike Offline
trapper
mad_mike  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,583
The Panhandle of Alaska
Originally Posted by tjm
Good point, but when that trap closes over the pad standing 2-3" higher than the pan (held up there by snow and pan tension) the jaws are going to be effectively 3" smaller and as such likely won't reach above the foot anyway?

And that right there is a big part of the reason we use 9” traps on wolves up here. Snow sucks, sometimes.


Advice? Wise men don't need it. Fools won't heed it.
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