I’ve trapped for some time, most recently on a large ranch for control & for research, I’m a university biologist looking at coyote / wolf hybridization that occurred up until the 1940’s here in SW Oklahoma. Up until now I’ve been putting down coyotes, selling pelts & saving tissues for DNA analysis as well as skulls & whole stomachs to analyze diet. I’ve trapped since my early teen years but have never trapped for the live market. I’ve used a variety of traps, most recently T Boudette’s Coyote Cuffs #33. The #33 is a wonderful trap but as you all know it’s on the costly side. I’ve considered rubber jaws but just can’t commit, I’ve seen what coyotes can do to a trap & I don’t want to waste time replacing rubber pads. Those of you that have trapped live market, I’d really appreciate any advice on the traps you’ve found most effective. From here on out, I’m only taking ear punches or saliva samples from coyotes but the ranch wants them gone so the live market seems to be best bet for me.

Can't help ya here. Its illegal to free a live coyote from a trap. Im interested in where this goes. I didn't know there was a live market for coyotes.

Im not sure what you mean that it’s illegal to set a coyote free???? Im just interested in learning from folks who have been there..... what’s the best traps for coyotes regarding paw damage. I’m on a limited budget & want an effective trap that’ll hold them. I’ve used many traps over the years, but want to know from those who’ve done it.

I just got done trapping a bunch of coyotes for a DNR study and I used # 2 Dukes and had no injury issues.
I will Pm you the contact # of the individual that ran the study.

Paw damage has alot of factors IMO, the coyote for one, some lay there some are doing cartwheels before they even see you. Inline springs will help, method of securing the traps ie drags, stakes, anchors. Ive had the same trap chew into a paw on one and no visible sign on others. Ive never used rubber jaw traps but i would tend to agree with you that you would have to carry lots of spare pads, i like offset jaw traps personally and dont get much or any damage depending on situation.

Are live catch snares a option also?? No paw damage there for sure.

Snares are not legal here & the ranch owner has specifically said “no snares.” Im limited to footholds. I wish someone would make a coyote cuffs like jaw to retrofit to Traps like 3 & 4 coils & longs

MB-550 rubber-jaw for any #3 coilspring, rubber-jaw.

Doc (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) uses soft catch exclusivley,(wrong spelling) for the live market.You can't argue with his catches.

Have a buddy that uses offset MB550’s for the live market down here. If known fox area he’ll use the exact same in 450’s. Good money in it if you have a place to keep them before delivery and on good ground.

my local customers use mb550's or Bridger or Northwood or Monty #2's offsets.

I used mb550 offsets one season & caught 60 coyotes. It is one (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) of a trap, it held some monster coyotes! For most of them it was fine but I did have some minor issues, nothing major mostly superficial skin lacerations. The way I see it, if that’s the worst a coyote faces then he’s had a very good life. But I would like to do better

i also appreciate the importance of anchoring methods & swiveling, it’s hard to compare apples & oranges when it comes to trapping.

Bob (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) has a dvd on live market coyotes. He used victor#3 rubber jaw with helper springs. he said the only damage to the rubber jaws were by big coon.

Private message sent to you B. McDonald.

Our buyers here are very picky they only want cabled yotes! That being said a buddy used rubber jaw 650s and they passed his screening

ive been running victor 2s and 3s inside and outside laminated for live market and have sold 98 percent of my coyotes this year. used rubber jaw traps the last couple years and they did not work for my setup.

I've used the stock 550 2 coil OS model and they are very good. Nothing is foolproof and they aren't either. As a former researcher who's done post-mortem necropsies on coyotes including their paws, I know that rubber jaw traps need to be checked quick as the rubber seems to cut off circulation resulting in resultant tissue death. There's no mark on the outside of the paw but the tissue, once exposed, shows lack of oxygen = it'll wither and die over coming days. If you run rubber jaws, better get to the critter quick.

I also short tether with stock chain with the crunch proof swivel at ground level so there's less chance for massive flipping and running around at the set.

Mark

I can't say anything about the live market but I have spoken to a man that helped with bmp and he said that rubber jaws wrap around the animals foot cutting off pretty much all blood flow to the paw and he said if you put that yote in a cage you can see the paw swelling alot.

I wouldn't say that there is a "perfect trap" for live market. I personally run Bridger #3 FM Dogless and still get cuts from time to time. To remedy I rolled the inside jaw edges and installed in-line springs. I tend to think that a shorter chain and the more swivel points the better. I am also preferring drags over chain stakes anyway so you actually get the "give" when they wrap up.

There is also a school of thought out there that actually closed-jaw traps (like the MB-550 2 coiled) are best for live market, as all traps are not "offset" with a full pad catch on a coyote. Makes sense to me. I am actually excited to see and use the new Duke 650s, as I prefer a #3 size trap vs. a #2. Of course you would need to grind off the offset lugs, as they can lacerate a coyotes foot if caught wrong.

Time in the trap, jaw face width and temperatures are the big criteria for minimal inflammation. I used #3 soft catch for many years with good results and still do when necessary.

Offset jaws were always more rough on feet than regular jaws. That’s with a sampling of a thousand or so live market coyotes. An MB-450, while a little small, is a fantastic trap. A closed jaw 550 is a good option. I have a buddy who figured how to properly weld laminations on the cast 550 jaws and he swears by them.

If you don't mind, what is the proper method?

Use low hydrogen rods and don’t let the jaws get too hot while welding them on.

I’m no welder but niner up above can weld anything except a broken heart and the crack of dawn. Lol.

John, I can do ok welding but it’s my brother who is the ace welder around here... He CAN weld a broken heart and the crack of dawn...

My traps I use for it are mb 450's mb 550's rubber jaw, and bridger no. 2 dogless modified. All are on chain earth anchors with lots of swivel points, and over half have shock springs. Really cold nights below freezing are the worst on their feet, it seems to me. Personally, I have not had pad damage on the rubber jaw traps by anything other than coons, they can shred em for sure.

Anyone here using closed-jaw 550s for live market?

Ttt