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new trapper with questions. #6636321
10/09/19 08:44 PM
10/09/19 08:44 PM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 363
PA
C
cmj Offline OP
trapper
cmj  Offline OP
trapper
C

Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 363
PA
Getting into trapping. I bought a bunch of traps at a sale, mostly smaller victor long springs and some conibears. I have about 20 single long springs with a 5 inch jaw spread, they have a v on the pan so I think they are victors? Im thinking they are too small for coyotes? I also got some victor #2 double coil springs 5.5 inch jaw spread, I found the info on the pan. Will these work for coyotes?
I bought some dogproof coon traps too. Maybe im jumping into it too fast for coyotes? I have a 7 year old son that is excited to go with. Its hard to take him hunting, he cant figure out why we don't just walk into the woods and shoot a deer in 5 min! Any help would be great. I live in southern pa, have two 100 acre farms that im allowed to hunt plus some smaller patches near towns.

Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: cmj] #6636326
10/09/19 08:55 PM
10/09/19 08:55 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,548
Rodney,Ohio
SNIPERBBB Offline
trapper
SNIPERBBB  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,548
Rodney,Ohio
Single longs aren't coyote traps. Adding a spring might help but I'd just save those for muskrat traps. They are Victor's assuming someone didn't trade pans off a Blake or brand trap.

As for the 5.5s as long as they aren't the square jaw versions, they work fine for coyote traps.

Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: cmj] #6636327
10/09/19 08:56 PM
10/09/19 08:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,460
central Haudenosaunee, the De...
W
white marlin Online content
trapper
white marlin  Online Content
trapper
W

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,460
central Haudenosaunee, the De...
welcome to the sport!

best advice is join PTA and find a mentor.

I think you'll find coyotes will destroy those # 2 Victors (square jaw?). they make a MUCH better mink trap than a coyote trap.

Last edited by white marlin; 10/09/19 08:57 PM.
Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: cmj] #6636334
10/09/19 09:04 PM
10/09/19 09:04 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
D
danny clifton Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
danny clifton  Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
D

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
coyotes will test your equipment. they are long winded, lots of endurance, fight the trap for awhile. the fact your not sure your traps will hold a coyote is all the evidence you need that more trap would be better. picture of those #2 coil springs would be nice. by you a half dozen of these. they will hold any coyote that steps on them.

https://no-bslures.wixsite.com/nobslures/no-bs-k-o-k-9-x-treme-trap


Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: cmj] #6636342
10/09/19 09:17 PM
10/09/19 09:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,446
Houghton Lake, MI
strike2x Offline
trapper
strike2x  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,446
Houghton Lake, MI
Trapping is an expensive hobby. Make sure you have enough money to buy everything you will need. If that means buying a less expensive trap to start then do it. The K-9 extreme may be a great trap but if you can't afford them there are several good traps that will do the job without breaking the bank. I started out with all Duke #2 s and now I have updated to MB 550s and I love them. The Duke's held coyote the same way though, they were there in the morning whether in a Duke or my. My point is remember you need good lures, tools, trap anchors and almost as important a couple good books.


Wish I had more time to trap....
Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: cmj] #6636345
10/09/19 09:23 PM
10/09/19 09:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960
Northern Nevada
B
Bob Offline
trapper
Bob  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960
Northern Nevada
Really depends on the style of the #2s. I have caught and held lots of coyotes on mb 550s, which have a 5.5 inch jaw spread, but they are built very stout.

You will never learn to trap coyotes if you don’t start trying, so go get after it. If you have a little money and would like to trap coyotes I would buy a half dozen good coyote traps. There are many good ones on the market, I myself prefer Bridger #3 fully modified but unmodified will also work just fine for now. They run $80 for six on MTP for unmodified versions. 4 coiling is nice but not necessary.

Learn all you can from here but really the coyotes will be your best teachers. Learn from the ones you miss ( and you will miss, but don’t get discouraged) the first one is the hardest usually. It took me two years to catch my first one, the next year I caught twelve.

Make sure it’s something you want to do, cause once you get one you won’t want to stop lol


"I have two guns, one for each of ya."
Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: cmj] #6636348
10/09/19 09:27 PM
10/09/19 09:27 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,152
S. Illinois
C
Chuckles84 Offline
trapper
Chuckles84  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,152
S. Illinois
Welcome, be warned trapping is very addictive.

https://www.fntpost.com/Products/Duke+Coil+Spring+Traps/+2+Duke+Coil+Spring+Trap+(4+Coiled)


https://www.fntpost.com/Products/Bridger+Coil+Spring+Traps/+2+Bridger+Dogless+Coil+Spring+Trap+(Offset+Jaws)

https://www.fntpost.com/Products/MB+Coil+Spring+Traps/MB-550-CL+Coil+Spring+Trap+(Double+Coiled+Cast+Closed+Jaws)

The NO BS traps are a great trap, but are expensive. If I were to make a recommendation on coyote traps for a beginner the 3 above would be it. The Duke traps linked I would also recommend removing the 2 extra springs and make them 2 coiled instead of 4.

The MB is a little pricier than the other 2 but require less adjustment out of the box.

Not sure why the links are not hyper links just copy and paste them I guess.

Last edited by Chuckles84; 10/09/19 09:28 PM.

Your entitled to oxygen. Everything else is earned.
Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: cmj] #6636353
10/09/19 09:31 PM
10/09/19 09:31 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,020
ohio
J
jctunnelrat Offline
trapper
jctunnelrat  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,020
ohio
Welcome aboard. Good luck this season. Coyote will beat the (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) out of a set. Use shock springs and swivels with good anchors. I like Bridgers for yotes and Victor double springers for fox.

Last edited by jctunnelrat; 10/09/19 09:34 PM.

jim
Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: strike2x] #6636354
10/09/19 09:31 PM
10/09/19 09:31 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,152
S. Illinois
C
Chuckles84 Offline
trapper
Chuckles84  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,152
S. Illinois
Originally Posted by strike2x
Trapping is an expensive hobby. Make sure you have enough money to buy everything you will need. If that means buying a less expensive trap to start then do it. The K-9 extreme may be a great trap but if you can't afford them there are several good traps that will do the job without breaking the bank. I started out with all Duke #2 s and now I have updated to MB 550s and I love them. The Duke's held coyote the same way though, they were there in the morning whether in a Duke or my. My point is remember you need good lures, tools, trap anchors and almost as important a couple good books.



Yep, that was my advice too. You can have 3 Duke #2s in the ground or 1 extreme and for a beginner more steel in the ground is best.


Your entitled to oxygen. Everything else is earned.
Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: cmj] #6636391
10/09/19 10:13 PM
10/09/19 10:13 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 25,692
nm
A
adam m Offline
trapper
adam m  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 25,692
nm
Welcome, grab your favorite drink and a seat.
You and your boy will have a blast. Don't give up don't get discouraged and most importantly have fun. Also, read the archives there is a whole treasure chest of info in those threads that will take years off the learning curve.

Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: cmj] #6636401
10/09/19 10:23 PM
10/09/19 10:23 PM
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 6,190
Kansas
Pawnee Offline
trapper
Pawnee  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 6,190
Kansas
Welcome. I’d encourage you this first year to read the archives, and watch YouTube on dirt hole, trail, and flat sets. Use the traps you bought and get after the coons, skunks and Opossums. Get a handle on trapping the smaller furbearers, and then go after the coyotes. Get in touch with your state association and ask a lot of questions. Good luck and have fun with your son. If you’re not sure about something or think it’s a dumb question PM one of us and ask a question. I hope you have a great season.

Last edited by Pawnee; 10/09/19 10:27 PM.

Everything the left touches it destroys
Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: cmj] #6636439
10/09/19 11:23 PM
10/09/19 11:23 PM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6,679
Newark, Ohio 83 years
Actor Offline
trapper
Actor  Offline
trapper

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6,679
Newark, Ohio 83 years
I use No. 2 Square jaws for coyotes, but I added the second set of coils. Now, there are two types of square jaws. I don't know if they have real name, but I call them Outside In and Inside Out. In the photo below The top jaw … the Outside In I don't like them and don't use them. I bought a bunch of used ones a few years back, removed the jaws and put new … Inside Out jaws on them. The top jaw is a # 2 and the bottom one is a #1.5. (I didn't have a #2 Inside out jaw in the house), but the example would be the same. I have had large coon rip the jaws out of an Outside In jaws. On all of the traps I use for coyotes I double with an extra set of springs.

Garry-

[Linked Image]


“Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.”

Have been trapping 77 years…
Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: Bob] #6636458
10/09/19 11:56 PM
10/09/19 11:56 PM

W
Wylee
Unregistered
Wylee
Unregistered
W



Welcome! Think the guys covered most of the important advice already! If you haven’t already been introduced to all of the online trapping store fronts, do some surfing. There is a lot. Everything from guys that sell lure to companies that sell everything. I usually buy through f and t or mtp, great service. Lots of good stuff here on the trap shed too...I have made many a deal and trade through this site.
The mention of a good book brings my first books to mind. A member on here was kind enough to give me some Charles Dobbins books and they have helped me immensely. Also, I might get flack for mentioning this lol, Hal Sullivan has some pretty good reads blush.

Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: cmj] #6636467
10/10/19 12:05 AM
10/10/19 12:05 AM
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 87
SE Minnesota
D
Driftlesstrapper Offline
trapper
Driftlesstrapper  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 87
SE Minnesota
Don't know what kind of numbers you have in your area for Muskrat, but you should consider running a small rat line with those longsprings. It would be a great way to introduce your son to trapping, and provide a lot of action to keep a 7 year old entertained.

Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: cmj] #6636491
10/10/19 04:50 AM
10/10/19 04:50 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 13,964
Michigan
T
Trapper Dahlgren Offline
trapper
Trapper Dahlgren  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 13,964
Michigan
welcome is there any water on land you can trap ,if there is use the long spring to catch mink muskrats an coon ,target these animals ,first then get some number 3or 4 for coyotes ,

Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: cmj] #6636623
10/10/19 09:26 AM
10/10/19 09:26 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,213
central Missouri
B
Bigfoot Offline
trapper
Bigfoot  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,213
central Missouri
When you are reading on trapperman.com there is a strictly trapping forum here and the archives are a wealth of info also .
In my opinion the the most important thing to learn first is tuning your traps . You can't catch anything in a trap that doesn't work right . All the traps you listed are notorious for needing tuned . Pan level , pan tension ,and pan travel is the place to start . All you need to get started tuning is pliers ,a flat file ,a hammer , and scew drivers. A vice and vice grips are nice to have but not absolutely necessary.
Next check your chains and swivels sometimes rivets open up during rough handling and the chains will jut fall off . it dosnt happen very often but often enough every trap should be examined before season . Then study anchoring techniques .

Last edited by Bigfoot; 10/10/19 09:41 AM.
Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: cmj] #6636650
10/10/19 10:02 AM
10/10/19 10:02 AM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19,689
pa
H
hippie Offline
trapper
hippie  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19,689
pa
If your in south eastern Pa. , get after Fox.

Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: hippie] #6637060
10/10/19 09:11 PM
10/10/19 09:11 PM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 363
PA
C
cmj Offline OP
trapper
cmj  Offline OP
trapper
C

Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 363
PA
THanks for the replies. There is a lot on info here. I might miss trapping season because im still reading everything!

Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: cmj] #6638126
10/12/19 10:10 AM
10/12/19 10:10 AM
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,239
SW WI
trapper20 Offline
trapper
trapper20  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,239
SW WI
if your trying to spend time with your kid and get him interested I wouldnt start out with coyotes. coyotes are hard to catch, expecially for beginners. Ive been doing it 7 years and still learning. Coon would be a great place to start, same with muskrats if you have both.
with Coyote trapping you can do a lot of traps checks before you ever catch one. coon and muskrats trapping even a beginner can catch one or more most days. I take my young kids on those type trap lines to keep them interested. last thing i want to do is get them discouraged by checking coyote traps for days and never getting a catch.

if you have a good rat population id start with them. gear is cheaper, they are easy to catch, easy to skin and put up(if thats your plan) and you can get decent numbers. also for their size the selling price is prolly better than the other critters

Re: new trapper with questions. [Re: cmj] #6638146
10/12/19 10:46 AM
10/12/19 10:46 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,835
Pa
W
Wright Brothers Offline
trapper
Wright Brothers  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,835
Pa
Raccoon is what you have the most of, well and opossums lol.
If you can get to Butler Co and bring your gear I'll go through it with you.

You need a plan for after the catch.
Skin, flesh and stretch or,
sell whole or just skinned.

I can help there too if close enough.





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