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