Hi all, I know the Pa. CR season is still a ways out but getting excited to try it. What would be your number 1 tip for a beginner using C.R's in Pa.?

1) Don't step in the catch circle
2) To help with avoidance- When setting a trail, set from the side or walk through your set- never stop at the CR and backtrack

Own a catch / release pole.

And cable cutters.

CABLE CUTTERS!!!!! Don't just own them but carry them especially for the time when you need to release bambi

1. X3 on cable cutters
2. Add another swivel

and the warning about watching the catch circle is huge too. critters have so much room that you can end up with a HUGE circle compared to what you could be accustomed to. then the critter looks to be a long ways from you so you take one step too many and end up in the circle. coyotes and deer come back around those circles in blink of eye.

if you have someone around you that has good luck with restraints that meet your states regs, see if they will let you look at their setup. over time i've found that i see quite a few differences between locks, cable and swivels. anticipate with restraints that you will likely have some escaped critters but some set ups are way worse for chewing out than others best i can tell.

Fasten them well I use cable stakes or chain stakes . A fox can do a pretty good job of loosening up a 24 in rebar stake .A coyote likely can also . Scout now to locate general areas you plan to set when the season starts. With permission of course drive a 4 wheeler or your truck to create some trails that would lend themselves to set .If we have any snows before the start of the season get out and see where the foxes are walking Anyplace you see tracks would be a good place to set a CR I just started using them a few years ago so I have a lot to learn .But if you let the animal show you where they put their feet and set accordingly you will need to spend more time in the skinning shed than you did in the past Good Luck

I use CRs and catch lots of coyotes in them. Order your CRs from Rally Hess tell him you want the loop end built out of 1x 19x 3/32nds Then place a in line barrel swivel and build the rest out of 7x7 x3/32nds. The 1x19 makes a better loop and Is faster and Is pretty much chew proof. And just to be fair I'm sure Newt from Snare One could probably make the same CR.
Then when you re order you save the bottom section and just buy the upper section with the lock and the stops.
I have a cable cutter but I only have used it to cut my cable stakes after a catch. And so far after 15 years or so of using CRs I have never seen the need for a catch pole.
Your stabilizing system Is the most important part of your system. You want that snare loop to be solid where it won't get knocked over or where the wind will turn It. This diving a single piece of wire In the ground for a stabilizer just doesn't cut It In my opinion.
Those plastic whamies are pure junk I cut them off and use rubber gas line. It doesn't freeze and holds the stabilizing wire a lot better.
Good luck.

I'm going into my 4th year and my best piece of advice is to set more trails than you think you need. I can't tell you how many times I set a trail only to look at it and say, I need one more over there. Also, the cable cutters is a must.

No one calls them snares any more?

ooo if only I could legally snare here

I the only difference I see between a CR and a real snare Is a real snare Is lethal. And In most cases to make a snare lethal you need entanglement.
Although CRs will kill deer entanglement or not.

My experience is less than yours but I agree completely with your statement concerning the 1x19 cable And my early struggles with CR'S centered around not being able to stabilize the set up .Once I got past that I was able to catch more .

I don't set my CR's without entanglement and most are alive and well unless I entangle on a pole in the open. My regs for CR's allow entanglement and we do not have a BAD

if you step in a catch circle learn how to jump rope. and do it fast. 1 x19 cable inline swivel.

You guys are great! Thanks for all the comments and tips, I really wasn't expecting all the help. Great to be back!

why step In the catch circle? Stand back and shoot em.

I am a long time trapper and I say without DOUBT I learn a lot from this forum on a regular basis There is an unending number of other trappers willing to help and share what they learned As for stepping into the circle my old legs do not move so fast but I found out that moving backwards as quick as is needed is harder than it used to be