What traps are recommended for catching and holding lions? Im gearing up for a trip next winter and want to have the proper gear. How about jakes?

I’m thinking Mr. Sterling made a lion specific trap . Otherwise I would think any of the ready made wolf traps would be spot on for lion .

I’ll give the dumb answer and say anything you can hold a bobcat in. I’ve incedently caught and held them in everything from a 1-3/4 coil to a #3dls. They aren’t too hard on traps. This year I did have one pull out of a Duke 1-3/4. It busted the jaws. Even though I’ve held them in all those sizes, I’ve also had them pull out of the smaller ones. But I’ve never had one pull out of a Sleepy Creek #3. And don’t worry about them being trap shy. The one that broke the jaws of the duke this was in an exposed trap with a stock pan. The lion had no problem stepping on it. Good luck. I’m jealous. Even though I’ve caught them incidentally many times, it’s still on my bucket list to target them (legally of course).

Any good wolf gear will work.If I were to target them,I would get the MB750 Wolf version and be done with it.As stated,they are held every year in bobcat traps but most of those are toe catches and besides the ones held,many traps are blown apart and many lions pull out.

One non-wolf trap that is interesting,is the 4 coiled,No BS extreme.It could use a little more jaw spread but is built plenty heavy enough,for sure.I don't own them but have looked them over well.They might be a cheaper alternative but no experience here so use your own judgement.

No experience with lions or Bobcats, but I would think the K-9 Extreme would work. If the jaw spread is not big enough for your liking, NO-BS makes a Wolf trap too.

I still think the Sleepycreek #3 would be the most affordable way to go, and just as affective as any wolf trap. Think of the difference between they way a coyote and bobcat act in a trap. Coyotes fight traps way harder then bobcats do. It’s the same with the way wolves react to being trapped vs how lions are. Cats are a lot more carefree then K9s. No need to go over kill with the trap. Like I said I’m my previous post, I’ve never had a lion get out of a sleepy creek #3.

Mountain lions fight differently than bobcats and they have tremendous pulling power.This is especially true with large toms.They are almost like another species when it comes to fight and strength and weigh about 50 percent more than an adult,male wolf.Wolves bite and lunge but lions dig in all 10 front hooks and pull like blazes.Tremendous leverage there.It's how the bring down adult moose and elk.Use enough trap.

Like I said, I’ve never had one pull out of a sleepycreek #3. Probably close to a dozen lions

I would have to think their paw is on par or bigger than a wolf and would plan accordingly. Never had a whack at a lion, but have caught a number of wolves. Caught a few in 550s and they never pull out if even grab a toe, but chain and J hooks have failed at times. But I would never go that small intentionally trying to catch a wolf.

My go to would be a Sleepy Creek 4.5 offset with laminations. But I won't ever have the blessing to target one I suspect.

Question for you bacatrapper, I thought you had to cage trap only in Colorado? Or are you ADC trapping?

I think Sterling made an MJ800 for large animals.

Hi there im moving to the trans pecos area of texas in the next few years. We are breaking up a big farm trust now, it will take some time here, before it all finishs.

We have bought some acreage from a ranch (friends) in that area to build a house. I can trap all round there when im down to get the house built, all I want. Then when its does get done, be down full time. They have yotes and cats there, which would get main attention, but lots of lions in some areas.

I am still looking at traps, A long spring might be better for me there, for big cats. There is no staking traps, the ground is mostly rock. Drags are the order of the day.

I appreciate everyones input on traps, keep it coming. We have a good grasp on trapping coyotes, hope to step it up a bit.

Bacatrapper a 4 dbls sleepy creek has 6.5 inch jaw spread , compared to sleep creek 4.5 of 7 1/4 inch jaw spread bang for buck price is not there.
Something I did probably not for everyone although.
Was I took a 4 dbls sleepy creek, call Nancy at sleepy creek direct and asked for the base and cross member, offset jaws, and 4.5 springs then put the trap together added a base plate with swivel position in the place I wanted them..
Holds wolves everytime can set over your knee and way faster trap than the 4.5 .
And unfortunately they will hold a lion,,, I quit using that trap places that are prone having lions alot.

Red knows of what he speaks.Does anyone know if Sleepy Creek is still in production?

Their website is still up and running.

http://www.scmtraps.com/

I originally, when we had a season, was using #4 SC dls offset. I had a highly skilled fabricator, Jason DuFresne, mod them up for wolves. He is no longer in business unfortunately. Heavy laminations, fortified the frame/cross/dog and made his own swivels. They were, and are, wolf catching machines with the added benefit of being an okay size for bobcats and coyotes. That is the second picture.

The first is a SC 41/2 DLS offset with laminations. It is definately bigger and MUCH heavier built than a #4. Same difference of an MB750 vs a #3 Bridger. Now if you don't need that space with a Texas lion, it is not for you. But it comes with "wolf swivels" and heavy chain, an extended super heavy baseplate center swivelled, and riveted jaws. You will be using a setter to open it even if you are a monster unless you only set one or two a day. I have a dozen and use them on beavers until we get a wolf season back (the Fed Wildlife announced a plan to do so in the last hour). What a machine to behold.

That is a beautiful trap,Ringbill.Glad to here about the progress toward your season.Good luck with that.You guys really need one.

This. I have not used long springs but I have that MB 750’s traps from when we had a wolf season and I wouldn’t hesitate a second to use them for big cats.
I just heard of the wolf delisting as well. So your saying there’s a chance...

Osky

If I were going after lions I'd got with MB-750 Alaskans, New House #4 1/2 longspring, or Sterling's wolf trap.

How many have you trapped so far,AuthorTrapper?

I don't have any experience trapping lions, but in reading through the thread I've been wondering what people would think of a Bridger #5 4coil. The jaw spread is larger than what most of you have mentioned at 7.25 inches and the 4 coil is pretty strong.

Thoughts?

Look at the #5 Montana, furcountrylures.com.

Modified TS85

Super looking trap,Etex.I can picture an unhappy lion in that one.

Thanks Taxi. Sent one up for ya'lls last auction. Modified for wolves and lions.

Lions have huge feet. Need a large jaw spread on the trap to prevent toe catches and misses. Not familiar with all the wolf traps mentioned but something in the MB 750 will work. Biggest thing with lions is how you anchor things. Never tie off solid. A simple drag can be taken a long ways. So, I would suggest a looong chain to a heavy drag,( this can be a steel one or a rock or a big limb), then more heavy wire to another drag like a big limb or small log or rock. Then do it again. Make a train of stuff to drag. Make sure they can move things but not get far before hanging up.

I have caught and held many anchored with 10’ of 1/8 cable looped around a tree. Never had a pull out with any trap sized #3 or bigger anchored off this way. Only a few get out of a 1-3/4 and #2 sized traps and that’s because they pop the jaw. Only takes a couple toes to hold a lion. A lot of people giving advise on the post with little to no lion experience. Lions are big and powerful, but aren’t like a K9. Just like a bobcat is in the same catigory as a coyote, yet get held very easily in small traps. Don’t need heavy coyote gear to catch and hold a bobcats, and don’t need big heavy wolf gear to catch and hold lions.

Didn't say you couldn't hold them in a small trap. Your just going to miss some and loose some with a small trap. To each his own. You obviously know just about everything there is to know about the subject. Carry on. makes no difference to me how you do it.

To bacatrapper: your lions are going to weigh 50-180 Lbs., maybe more. Good average will be around 120 Lbs. Choose wisely. Might even look into foot snares.

All the real lion trappers I know (Wayne Derrick, Bill Applegate, Eddie Wimberly,etc) use big traps- 4 1/2 Newhouse, Modified TS85s, #9 Alaskans- when they specially are after lions.

I think if I was going after long tails, I would get well built gear. They are a nuisance here and we have way more than anyone knows. 2 years ago absarokee had 3 right in town(female and kittens). All I seen was a full grown lion. And remember to stake or tie off to hold a t-rex.

You don’t need a lot of “power”, but you need a lot of jawspread.

This is a 160-170 lb Tom in a #3, and he’s barely in that #3.

Wow, Boone! Great picture! I think I would have to change my shorts if I walked up to a trap with one of those in it! (Obviously, we don't have them in my area of the lower peninsula, but even if we did, a change of the shorts might be needed)

Awesome pic Boone! Id love nothing more than to have the chance to trap one.

That pic is very telling. That cats foot/leg is as big as that trap.

I still havent made up my mind what to get, but some traps will be excluded because of price for sure. Lots of great info here, thanks fellers.

Here is a good comparison, This was an average 152 lb cat.

Thanks for posting that Todd, it definitely puts things in perspective.

Ttt

We don't have any up here in the U.P. either.