Re: Going from a larger trap to a smaller one
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#6579662
07/23/19 01:45 PM
07/23/19 01:45 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,445 Southern Michigan
trappergbus
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,445
Southern Michigan
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I use down to 450s but it is a handicap. I'm forced to because most of my permissions are surrounded by houses and subdivisions. With the 450 anyone can release domestics, with larger traps not so much. Iv'e trapped a lot of coyotes in smaller traps but, I missed a bunch too. Were I can I use 5.5 to 6.5 jaws spreads for coyotes, much more efficient , a lot less misses.
Last edited by trappergbus; 07/23/19 01:46 PM.
Common sense catches alot of fur.. Pay homage to all you harvest..
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Re: Going from a larger trap to a smaller one
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#6579664
07/23/19 01:47 PM
07/23/19 01:47 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,995 Central, SD
Law Dog
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,995
Central, SD
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Look at a froze down set that's trampled and you might want to stick with what you have rather then going to a smaller trap.
Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!
Jerry Herbst
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Re: Going from a larger trap to a smaller one
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#6579670
07/23/19 01:57 PM
07/23/19 01:57 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,228 SE NEBRASKA
NebrCatMan
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,228
SE NEBRASKA
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I use smaller traps when the ground is frozen solid, It's a lot easier to chip out a small hole with an ax or pick x than a bigger hole. I do ok with 1.75s or maybe 2s.
Remember "Forbidden Fruit makes many Jams"
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Re: Going from a larger trap to a smaller one
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#6579678
07/23/19 02:06 PM
07/23/19 02:06 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 8,021 Montana
beartooth trapr
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 8,021
Montana
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I use to run all # 3 bridgers , but decided to try some victor/ monty dogless #2's and i like them. Going on 4 seasons with them.
Let me sugar coat this
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Re: Going from a larger trap to a smaller one
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#6579733
07/23/19 04:14 PM
07/23/19 04:14 PM
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,597 Kentucky
ky_coyote_hunter
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,597
Kentucky
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I use Sleepy Creek 1.75 coils, which is really a #2 by it's jaw spread dimensions, (5 3/8) and my catch rate is the same as when using #3's....I have no doubt I could catch plenty in a beefed up 1.5 coil also. Now granted we don't have as many deep freezes here that occur up North, but the ground does freeze solid at times.
My preference is toward the smaller traps to avoid hassles with dog hunters, and the general public, who think a #3 is basically a bear trap here in the east.
I can see an advantage to a bigger trap in continual deep snow or deep freeze conditions, but if you live in a more moderate climate area, you can guide there feet on the pan of a smaller trap really well.
Member - FTA
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Re: Going from a larger trap to a smaller one
[Re: NebrCatMan]
#6579929
07/23/19 10:26 PM
07/23/19 10:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,149 WI - Wisconsin
AJE
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,149
WI - Wisconsin
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I use smaller traps when the ground is frozen solid, It's a lot easier to chip out a small hole with an ax or pick x than a bigger hole. I do ok with 1.75s or maybe 2s. Some folks like the fact that they can get by using less wax dirt too.
Last edited by AJE; 07/23/19 10:27 PM.
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Re: Going from a larger trap to a smaller one
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#6580038
07/24/19 06:18 AM
07/24/19 06:18 AM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,400 Firth, Nebraska
jabNE
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,400
Firth, Nebraska
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I run mostly 1.75s and 2s coils with some 3s in certain locations. I've caught a jillion coyotes in #2 longsprings which are not much different jaw spread than a 1.5 coil or 1.75 bridger. I still use a lot of those #2 longs because they work well for both coyote and coon, and hold very well.
we have such a mixed bag of possibilities here that can show up in any coyote set I purposefully use smaller traps to accommodate the options. Coon are still the bread and butter of our area fur, and a big boar in december is certainly a welcome catch for my line. I love coyote trapping, but coon are just part of trapping here and pay for gas.
Jim
Money cannot buy you happiness, but it can buy you a trapping license and that's pretty close.
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Re: Going from a larger trap to a smaller one
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#6580216
07/24/19 11:00 AM
07/24/19 11:00 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 16,325 ny
upstateNY
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 16,325
ny
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One of my favorite coyote traps are my # 3 double long springs.However,they are not very non target friendly,such as coon or fox,so I don't use them any more for coyotes.I do very well with # 1.75 or # 2 coils.
the wheels of the gods turn very slowly
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Re: Going from a larger trap to a smaller one
[Re: jbyrd63]
#6580264
07/24/19 01:12 PM
07/24/19 01:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,758 Georgia
warrior
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,758
Georgia
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Yea remember what they said. 1 1/2 coil was plenty big for yotes until the internet came along ............................. True. I've not only held coyotes in duke 1.5 I've had them pump out the stakes and get away without the trap coming apart. However, 1.5 is not my preferred trap for coyotes. I'm a generally bigger is better only in the bigger target to step on category. Most everything else that comes with bigger iron is more trouble than tiny traps offer. As in all things there are trades and compromises to be made. Since I have yet to find THE PERFECT TRAP that checks all the boxes for every condition I have a mixed bag of tools and tailor each set for the trap selected based on site conditions. Meanwhile I'll keep searching for the magic beans.
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