How many brands are there that produce beaver sized, powered cage traps? For beaver work, I would not consider a cage trap that isn’t powered. At least I don’t think I would. If there’s a design out there that isn’t powered but works very well for beavers, I’d certainly like to hear about it.

I just purchased my first cage traps. Comstock 12x18x39 beaver traps. To say I’m impressed with them would be an understatement. Very high quality. Can’t wait to put them to use. I’m new to cage traps, and I like the thought of not having to worry about if someone kicks it like I would with a 330.


But I’m still wondering....who else makes a powered beaver size cage trap? Anyone?

Kirk DeKalb has a very good beaver trap however I understand he is no longer producing his traps. I am with you, I rarely have used gravity doors in the last 28 years. They work but I have had my problems with them along the way. Spring powered is the best and only way to go once you have used several types you will develop an experienced bias as well.

Comstock does have a good powered beaver trap.

Dont know if the guy that Kirk licensed his traps to is making his beaver sized one or not. I would shudder at the price of it based on what he was wanting for the 12x12 coon trap at Escaba.

Would you consider suitcase type traps (Hancock or Koro) to be a "powered cage trap"?- https://www.wildlifecontrolsupplies.com/animal/NWSKT04.html

I had good luck using Hancock traps.I liked that they could be set almost anywhere. The Comstock beaver trap was a close second.

Yes but most people have an aversion to having to wear a hardhat or football helmet when trying to set them...

Kirk is on here- reach out to him. Super knowledgeable about beavers in general.

He sold his trap manufacturing to a Canadian company, Advanced Traps. About 10 yrs ago I paid $125 for a powered bobcat single door. More than triple that now. I would doubt they are selling as the are down to one design in 3 sizes now. www.advancedtrap.com

I have been running Tomahawk stuff for a few years and it is impressive. Same company makes Comstock cages too, in Wisconsin.

Have been fewer beaver calls this year so far after back to back best years in the past two, but still relying on swim through beaver cage traps for 95% of what we catch. The rest of the gear just fills in. Never would have believed cages would be a go to trap if someone had asked me years ago.

I have been testing traps and working with a manufacturer since October of last year. Covid has been a big factor in production of the new traps. The first model will be available next month. It can be ordered within 14 days. I first made the trap about five years ago. It’s probably one of the best and most effective traps I have ever used. It has a reduced magnetic field intensity going through the trap. The doors are extremely fast . It has caught many red fox, gray fox, beaver, otter, bobcat, Possum, raccoon, and other animals. I know of no other trap that has the ability to Catch that this trap Has. Easy to set and replace trigger wires if’s needed.It works equally as well on land as it does underwater Or in water, even floated.
The manufacture has been in business over 30 years and maintains normally a workforce of over 10 people. It has full manufacturing capabilities.
It will be competitively price.The prototypes that they made and we tested caught extremely well.
Airport trapper and warrior have traps very similar almost identical to it. It has a detachable Bait cage Option if you want to use it as a single door.

Bruce Vandervort has a collapsible. I haven’t talk to anyone that used one but he’s a very good trapper and he’s on this forum.

I have 6 comstocks, 2 advance, 2 hancock. In my opinion both Jim and Kirk have great designs unfortunately I was late to the game on power traps and could only get 2 of kirks. I love my Hancock's also because if you need to switch it up, I've found footholds, body grip, and cage traps people feel pretty comfortable messing with because all 3 are straight forward on how they work but Hancock's not so much. They can't figure out is a trap old piece of chainlink fence, some sort of pipe guard ect... my opinion keep with those 3 and you won't be disappointed.

Kirk,
Did these traps ever make it to market? I liked the traps you had when you had advanced trap. However, the guys you sold to have priced those out of the market.

Unless you're doing ADC work, all traps and cages are priced out of the market!

They make a business out of doing pleasure with you

Lots of beaver captured in the 16 by 16 have a (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) traps with no damage
Love Jimmy’s and kirks old designs

Should talk to MR. Bruce aka humptulips on here

I would like to know also.

I never sold my patents I had licensed them to two intities over the last 4 years. I stopped manufacturing in 2017. At that particular time I had developed some outstanding models. I didn’t realize to the extent as to how good they really were until I wrote my book. Doug Massey, Warrior, and Airport trapper I have some of my last models. Making my trips out of the country was a mistake but I couldn’t get out of it for almost 2 years. My last endeavor with Townson didn’t work out because of Covid restrictions to work force. In 2017 I could’ve sold over $500,000 worth of traps if I could’ve gotten them made. I presently am not manufacturing traps or another words are not being made. I have not found someone that can economically build them and manufacture them to the quality that they need to be built. I have Parkinson’s. I don’t have the drive that I did so I need to get someone to manufacture them and I don’t know whether that’s going to happen soon.

Frustrating. Most live traps you take gloves off and put glasses on to set. Kirks you take glasses off and put gloves on. They are in a class of their own. Amazing traps. Nothing like them

Aix - long time no see my friend.
For your conditions and volume stay with Jim Comstock’s cage traps.
They are durable and have the best triggers on the market.
best, Willy