What is your opinion on drags? How big and how heavy do you like them for each animal? (Coyote, Bobcat, Grey Fox, Raccoon, Badger, etc.) How many feet of chain? Personally I like 8' feet - 10' feet.

The amount of chain is an often overlooked component of the drag. The best drag will be compromised if its connected with short chain. On the other hand, adding extra chain keeps the drag on the ground where it can hang up and make a lot more sign. When in doubt, add extra chain. Its pretty cheap.

Badger often don't move a drag out of its bed . . . but they will tear up a tennis court size area digging around.

Greys are low to the ground, so the drag is not as important as the amount of chain. Give them 8 feet of chain and a tiny drag, and you're good. Less chain and the drag has to be heavier.

Cats depends entirely on the individual cat and its topography. Big toms will often go a long way in open country. Smaller cats and females are often tangled in the first bush they come to.

Coyotes -- there is no rhyme or reason. If you think they will go a mile, they hang up within 6 feet of the trap. If you think they can't go anywhere because of heavy/thick brush, they will go forever. Again, long chain keeps the drag on the ground and making tracks.

On public land, I use drags with at least nine foot of chain. On private ground and fairly confident there won't be trespass issues, I will double stake them right on the edge of the two track. That speeds up checks, but does make a bit more of an issue in resetting a torn up set location. Remember, if the location is good enough foe one set, it is definitely good enough for two sets and many times more. I will always set snares in multiples of three and right the number in the log book!

Weight isnt much of an issue unless the drag has absolutely nothing to grab onto. Newer drags with the milled point/cotton spindles can lock up in sod assuming its not frozen solid.

I’m making some drags for cats. How much chain do you typically run down here in the rocky, low brush country?

I run pretty light drags but I run 7-8 foot of chain. It doesn't take much for cats. You know that a lot of guys tie off with 3/32 cable and you never hear of a cat breaking it, so #2 US chain works well.

That’s the size chain I’m using. I wasn’t to concerned about anything breaking it, just don’t want to have to search the entire county to find my trap.

If you use a drag for yotes near a barb wire fence they will go over and under and through and over and under and be hanging there looking stupid.

two questions is there a optimal weight you drag guys prefer if so whats the magic number and can 1/8 " cable substitute chain so long as swivels are added? What little experience ive had with drags I use 10 ' of chain But ive yet to pinch a yote using a drag so my opinion could change!

I can some what steer the direction of departure with an angled stick driven into the ground, pointed the way I want him to go. Hook the drag so it will only slip off one way. One spot I use this is where I don't want him to go up, down, or across the road. Another is where I want him down over the edge. The words never or always do not apply here.

That's a great tip Wright. I'm going to give it a try next season.

Wow, wolfdog, I'll have to have you teach me how to make drags! That was impressive!

Their Is a huge difference between a person working a drag and a coyote working a drag. Just saying

I tie Flagging to Drags. I learned this from Renny28
If I have a pull out, I can find my equipment faster. If I have a catch, I can find catch faster.

I've got a friend that puts reflective trailer tape on his cat drags and if he can't find them he goes back at night and shines the area and they stand out like a sorry thumb

that was just a fox drag,the sample I've given out have gotten some good reviews so far. Better videos on how to make then will be on the way.

I use a heavy drag around 3 1/2 - 4 pounds and 8-9 ft of chain if it's rocky or soft ground where I can't use a stake. I'm lucky though I don't have to worry about theft

Used to tie pink flagging on my drag chains when trapping coons in these creek swamps like Hern does. Saved much time finding trap after pullouts.

If you have bears...dont use drags....

I use two sizes of " Saber Tooth " drags. The large one for coyote, and bobcat, the " Saber Tooth Jr. " for fox, and coons, with at least eight feet of #2 chain, an inline shock spring close to the trap, and several box swivels, with one at the drag connection. If you are trapping bobcats in the forest, stake them, or the cat may climb the nearest tree.

I was thinking about trying some 3 lbs drags on 8ft of chain. But which chain? Witch is better #3 or#2 chain? Is #2 chain big enough to get a 3/16 th Quick link threw?

I use a green poplar stick. Natural and cheap and works. I use at least 6 feet of chain. Works.

Saber tooth drag and eight to ten feet of chain. Great for hiding a catch and preserving a set .

That's as good as it gets, right there !
Ramey Isreal is making a good one. I have a few to try out this summer on some coyotes.

With 2-prong 3/8" rod coyote drags a 2-1/2" piece of rebar welded crossways in the fork of the drag will quadruple the amount of tracking sign they leave.

I've been meaning to post this pic for awhile now, but have been to distracted and kept forgetting.



I found the one on the left while scouting a prospective trapping area a few years ago. I was actually able to find out who owned the trap and drag but the guy never wanted to meet up so I could give him his equipment back. I think he thought I was a Warden. Side note......mark where you set your traps and double check you marks to make sure you pull all your equipment. Not only is it the law, but we owe it to animals. We are always under a microscope, and need to be extra careful about these things.........Anyways, I loved his drag design so I copied it for this next trapping season. Every season I find spots where I can't cable off to anything and I end up wasting a lot of time searching for something natural to use that will hold up as a drag. It can be a very tough task in the desert. These were very easy to make. All you need is a vise, cutting wheel, welder, concrete form stake, steel rod, flat stock, and a trap swivel. They weight just shy of 2lbs without the chain. I have 8 feet of #2 quality chain attached to them. I would make them heavier but I hike a ways from the road at each location. 4-6 traps plus a couple drags gets heavy. Now I won't be using drags at every set, but will always have a couple in my bag in case I can't find something solid to cable off too.

Steeltraps, #2 is not big enough to get a 3/16 quick link thru but , if you use your j-hook tool on the #2 link you can open it up easily to get a quick link thru. I use #2 on my disposable stakes.

What's your secret? I couldn't get a tool into my #2 links.

Just a punch that is tapered works good.