I’m 14 and just getting into trapping. I mainly targeting fox and coyotes and was wondering what the best trap is for both. I have some mb 550s /450s there a nice trap but a little pricy.

You have some of the best traps on the market for fox and coyote.

I personally use MB550's Closed jaws and check my traps early and loose very little fur. Problem I had when I was a young trapper I would not anchor well enough for coyote, as fox were easy to hold with a simple anchor. Good luck young man

Thank you.

Your welcome. I see your a new member welcome aboard a great site for a young trapper to get lots of good information.

Ya this site is awesome I’m glad I found it.

Welcome to tman Riley lots of info on her btw you have some if the best traps made. You will learn alot. This is a great site with lots of great people.

Welcome!

You came to the right place, 100 libraries worth on info here. Spend a day reading through the archive pages, wealth of info. Ask any questions you have , even if you think they are silly. We were all you at one time.

As to your question , first check your states regs for traps. Most states restrict the size (jaw spread) or require offset jaws. The MB550 is about the best out of the box ready K9 trap out there. Can't go wrong with the MB550 . At 14 I don't know how well your welding and fab skill set is, but a cheaper option is a Duke #3 or #1.75. It can be made into a excellent K9 trap with a little work. At the very least change the pan bolt and change the chain and swivels and you'll be good. The Duke will catch fur out of the box, but cant take a beating like the MB.

Stay here in Trapping Only for a little while, make sure you read through the archives (most of the pics are gone). If you have a trapping question, ask it here. There is a wealth of knowledge that is priceless on this site, keep that in mind, and best of luck! Don't be afraid to PM someone as well. BTW if you have the traps you say you do, you're ahead of the game, I don't have anything even close to that.

Thanks for the info.

Welcome young man!
Here’s what helped me shorten my learning curve by decades. Join your state trapping assn, Google it. ANd contact officers off their site and ask for a mentor to ride along with. MANY states have their own forums. Like here in NC. And TN has 2 and Va has 2 also and KY too. A mentor helps Learn trap prep and techniques and tricks and the laws in YOUR state regarding jaw spreads, shock springs, etc, etc. Laws vary a lot from state to state so BEWARE of FB and utube.you can be shown things that are illegal in your state!. This gets you in the info loop of FREE trappers ed classes and meets and fur sales/pick ups, and conventions. Then attend ALL YOU CAN, this shows folks you are serious and will be a good student. It sure helped open many doors for me and it could for you as well. ALSO, get several different trapping supply catalogs, like MTP, Dakotaline, Sterling Fur, FandT, PCS, Flemings, Northern Outdoors, Trap Shack, Schmitt enterprises, Southeastern outdoor supplies, JR & Sons, Grawes, rpoutdoors, etc etc, THEN circle gear you need, and give the catalogs to loved ones to buy your Birthday and Christmas and July 4 and Easter and Anniversary gifts. Explain to them, you want their money to go towards what you will use and need, as opposed to another sweater hanging in your closet. WORKS GREAT in our family.

numero uno........ https://patrappers.com/
and
number 2....... https://www.huntingpa.com/forums/pa-trappers-forum.51/

If it were me I would stick with those traps and buy one or two more as I could. You will never be disappointed in them. A cheaper alternative is the Duke 550 which is almost an exact copy of the MB550 but foreign made so its cheaper. You’ll have to look at the smaller trap supply places to find them because the big ones won’t carry them for various reasons that I won’t go into. They’re a good trap none the less and are better for a budget.

Welcome aboard and best of luck.

welcome aboard! Those traps you have are a very good size for both. Maybe look at Bridger #2 coils also if you do want something a little cheaper but still gets job done for both species. I run quite a few of them and have had very good success on both animals with them.
Jim

Thank you I appreciate it. I’ll look in to that for sure.

Thanks. I was actually looking in to buy a few of those. There cheap and heard good things about them.

Riley, I live near Selinsgrove.
I will help you get started or may know someone in your area that will help you out.

Our district is hosting a 'Trappers School' in August.
PM me if you would like to attend or need some help.
Hern
Hern Blett

That’s what it’s all about! The trapping school would be a great experience for you if you could make it happen. If there is a cost I would devote my efforts to saving up for it rather than buying traps at this moment as the education and experience that you receive will pay you dividends in the future. I wish there had been something like that near me when I was getting started.

Your MB 550s are an excellent choice for both fox and coyote. I've never lost a coyote in the few 450s that I use, and they're perfect for fox. My word of advice on equipment is buy the best quality you can afford. You will never be disappointed with MBs of any size. I think they're the best bang for the buck.