I am sure this post has been covered 100's of times, but I am new to trapping this year and new to this site. I am here to get some solid advice on which traps to get. Here are my specs to which i will be trapping and what im deciding between. I have a bunch of #1 and #1.5 for some water sets for muskrats and coon...(which i connected on this morning on a blind water set) I need some K9 traps.

Location: Wisconsin- marshes, woods, open grass fields, crop fields, creeks, lakes.
Target Species: Coyote, Fox, Coon
Sets to be made: Dirt holes, trench set, scent post, ice sets
Acreage to trap: 100's of acres- I have a lot of farming friends

Traps to purchase
MB550 Offset - I've been told they are the best, but $20/trap
Bridger #2 Offset
Duke #2 Offset

Is there a noticeable difference between 2 and 4 spring traps?

Thanks In Advance,

Ryan

I would go with the no2 dukes if price is an object

4 coil is a lot harder to set and unless your running modified traps or dealing with a lot of freezing/thawing largely unessassary in my opinion and unless you have laminated jaws they can be hard on feet in my experience

You might want to look at the duke 550

JMO MB550 2 coil

If dollars are your concern look at Wolf Creek products #2 dogless or #2 dog on traps. Either is a great 2 coiled trap to catch coyotes and coon in for sure and is cheaper than anything on the market dollar wise. They come in offset if you want that as well. "Ohio" on trapperman here or Glenn is his name in real life owns the company and is a great guy to deal with as well.

I like the #2 Bridgers for fox, coyote, coon mix line, they'll work fine IMHO

If targeting coyotes more I'd go with #3 Montana's - but that's a personal choice

Mike

Just for reference. Bridger #2 offset 2 coil are $12.50 each. Duke #2 offset (round jaw) 2 coil are $9.95 each and Wolf creek #2 offset 2 coil are $8. The bridger has a few things neither the duke nor wolf creek have like base plates and center mount chain. If that is a requirement in your area for your traps might be worth the look at Bridgers. The wolf creek traps are direct replicas of the old northwoods traps and function very well. The real price savings though is when you start looking at #3 sized traps.

So far this year my catch has been 50/50 in Bridger #3 OS Dogless, and Duke #1.75 2 Coiled OS.
I have had the exact same number of pullouts on each (1)
Going forward, I will probably just stick with the Bridgers as I think they are easier to set, and bed, and I like the bigger pan and jaw size. But, I won't keep using my 1.75s.

MB traps are an investment, cheaper traps will normally be replace by such a trap later on. I started with Duke's. I now own only MBs. I am not saying MB is the best trap, just the one I prefer to use. They all work and will catch fur. The better traps will hold up to many years of use. That is my opinion only. You will form yours as you learn. The important thing is get trapping, it is a lot of fun and a great control for wildlife.

I use offset 2 coil MB550s and offset 2 coil Bridger #2 dogless for my mixed species line. I have had great success with both and would recommend either one. If price is an issue I would go with the Bridgers as they are about 5 bucks less per trap.

You are not going to lose many coyote regardless of what you buy. My main consideration would be theft. If only setting private ground with little chance of theft, a more substantial and expensive trap would be a good choice. If trapping public ground, I wouldn't (and don't) set MB or any other premium traps.

Snares set around a dead horse are awesome.

I use primarily bridger 1.65’s and 1.75’s. I prefer the 1.65’s for some reason. Both work great and both hold everything I’ve ever caught in them. Can’t see me burning money on MB traps as I just don’t see the need. But, as others have expressed, YMMV.

I only trap public ground and only use MBs. I have had 2 stolen in 3 years. I am pretty good at hiding sets and catches but will set the center of the trail if that is where the dogs are. In a couple weeks I will be the only one out in the woods that isn't on a snow machine.