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New trapper needing advise #7049293
11/14/20 01:27 AM
11/14/20 01:27 AM
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 117
South Carolina
M
Mattty843 Offline OP
trapper
Mattty843  Offline OP
trapper
M

Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 117
South Carolina
Hello all,

Our trapping season opens on 12/1 in SC. I’ve never trapped before, and this year I hope to break the dirt. I’m targeting coons and cats. I have the coon part down pat, it’s the cat part I’m not so sure about. 1 3/4 vs 2, offset vs closed, 2 spring vs 4. I have some sort of an idea as far as hole sets, lures, etc, but any advise would be greatly appreciated. I own a few dp traps and a few 1 1/2 cs traps, but you guys should see my shopping list I made on a few sites comparing prices. I thought about getting used traps but I can’t find a dozen for under my price range. Thoughts?

Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: Mattty843] #7049296
11/14/20 01:32 AM
11/14/20 01:32 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,717
Nebraska, Dawson County
chas3457 Offline
trapper
chas3457  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,717
Nebraska, Dawson County
Welcome aboard, Matty.


Buckle up and hang on. grin




Charlie


Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and enthusiasm.

NRA Life Member ~ GOA Member ~ NFOA Member ~ UNMLA Member
Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: Mattty843] #7049314
11/14/20 02:35 AM
11/14/20 02:35 AM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 25,692
nm
A
adam m Offline
trapper
adam m  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 25,692
nm
Welcome pull up a chair and your favorite drink.

Check the trap shed on here for used supplies.

also the archives are a wealth of info that will help your learning curve. Here is a fantastic thread on cats
https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthr...cat-sets-and-locations-vol-2#Post4759431

Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: Mattty843] #7049360
11/14/20 06:51 AM
11/14/20 06:51 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 13,964
Michigan
T
Trapper Dahlgren Offline
trapper
Trapper Dahlgren  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 13,964
Michigan
welcome , and good luck trapping this year , how big are your cats down there ?,

Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: Mattty843] #7049361
11/14/20 06:55 AM
11/14/20 06:55 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
D
danny clifton Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
danny clifton  Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
D

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
How old are you Matty?. I get not wanting to spend a bunch of money on traps in the fur market of today, but a downturn in fur values isnt a downturn in the cost of trap manufacturing. I don't know about S.C. but people are begging for quality employees around here.


Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: danny clifton] #7049458
11/14/20 09:26 AM
11/14/20 09:26 AM
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 117
South Carolina
M
Mattty843 Offline OP
trapper
Mattty843  Offline OP
trapper
M

Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 117
South Carolina
I’m 24. I got out of the Army in February and came home and got a “normal” job.

Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: Mattty843] #7049539
11/14/20 10:56 AM
11/14/20 10:56 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
D
danny clifton Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
danny clifton  Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
D

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
I would get some #2 bridgers. about 10 bucks apiece new. You dont need an offset .

do this to the dog and the pan notch

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

When the pan moves the trap fires. Easy to set also. Put the dog in the notch and pull the pan up. Bend the post the dog is attached to back and forth a little so the pan is level when the trap is set.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

squeeze that loop in the dog closed a bit. You want the dog to only be able to move up and down. If it can move back and forth it will move forward as the paan comes down. The trap may not fire if there is enough movement.


Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: Mattty843] #7049543
11/14/20 10:58 AM
11/14/20 10:58 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
D
danny clifton Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
danny clifton  Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
D

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
P.S. welcome home and thanks for serving.


Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: Mattty843] #7049580
11/14/20 11:44 AM
11/14/20 11:44 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 122
MN
F
flathead Offline
trapper
flathead  Offline
trapper
F

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 122
MN
https://www.nwtrappers.com/bridgercoilspring.html#!/Bridger-3-Dogless-Offset/p/89204591/category=24307223

I'd buy those, set em and start catching. Don't have to straighten out dogs after every coyote catch. I'd prefer #3. Worth the money to me. Give them a call, bet you'll get a military discount, they are great guys. Good luck trapping

Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: Mattty843] #7049611
11/14/20 12:19 PM
11/14/20 12:19 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,852
meadowview, Virginia
E
EdP Offline
trapper
EdP  Offline
trapper
E

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,852
meadowview, Virginia
It doesn't take much of a trap to hold a cat but their foot is a bit wider than a coyotes typically. I would not buy anything specific for cats but use any larger sized coyote traps I have at cat sets. Check your state regs for maximum jaw spread for land traps to be sure you stay within any limit specified. Good luck and have fun.

Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: Mattty843] #7049631
11/14/20 12:44 PM
11/14/20 12:44 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 7,954
On Georgian Bay, Ontario Canad...
H
Hutchy Offline
trapper
Hutchy  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 7,954
On Georgian Bay, Ontario Canad...
So let me get this straight...

You are targeting coons?? Like, on purpose?


You don't sound like you are quite right in the head.


You should fit in nicely here!!!




laugh

Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: Mattty843] #7049639
11/14/20 12:53 PM
11/14/20 12:53 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960
Northern Nevada
B
Bob Offline
trapper
Bob  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960
Northern Nevada
Go with the #2 for bobcat. 2 coiled is plenty, no need for 4. I prefer offset jaws, they allow the levers to lock tighter. Some states require offset on traps above a certain size.

Bobcats can be heavily guided, use sticks and rocks and dirt clods to guide them to step onto your pan. They like flashy sets. They like it when the set looks like a bomb went off and there’s free dug dirt everywhere. Makes them curious.


"I have two guns, one for each of ya."
Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: danny clifton] #7049648
11/14/20 12:56 PM
11/14/20 12:56 PM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,963
Central Ontario, Canada
C
Crit-R-Dun Offline
trapper
Crit-R-Dun  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,963
Central Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted by danny clifton
I would get some #2 bridgers. about 10 bucks apiece new. You dont need an offset .

do this to the dog and the pan notch

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

When the pan moves the trap fires. Easy to set also. Put the dog in the notch and pull the pan up. Bend the post the dog is attached to back and forth a little so the pan is level when the trap is set.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


squeeze that loop in the dog closed a bit. You want the dog to only be able to move up and down. If it can move back and forth it will move forward as the paan comes down. The trap may not fire if there is enough movement.


Can you please explain what you're doing with your tongue in the second pic?

Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: Mattty843] #7049694
11/14/20 01:46 PM
11/14/20 01:46 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,263
james bay frontierOnt.
B
Boco Offline
trapper
Boco  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,263
james bay frontierOnt.
There was a bit of lure stuck in there.


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: Mattty843] #7049715
11/14/20 02:09 PM
11/14/20 02:09 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 444
Mollala Oregon
G
gdccowboy Offline
trapper
gdccowboy  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 444
Mollala Oregon
I’m no pro but I catch 5-10 every year
I use a good bobcat gland lure, good urine and fresh beaver meat with 2 MB 650s I trap coyotes with
I run both flat sets and big dirt holes with heavy blocking I usually only get to trap for a couple weeks each year
So I make sure and trap around full moons in January and February to target big Toms

Also a couple dvds can give you a big head start on cats I like cat collector and bobcat trapping with mark june
I’m sure there’s several other good ones but I got a lot out of those 2
If you can run snares I would do that as well

Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: Mattty843] #7049775
11/14/20 04:12 PM
11/14/20 04:12 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
D
danny clifton Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
danny clifton  Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
D

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
Quote
Can you please explain what you're doing with your tongue in the second pic?


I like the taste of steel filings crazy


Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: Mattty843] #7049801
11/14/20 05:07 PM
11/14/20 05:07 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,165
Central NC
T
traprjohn Offline
trapper
traprjohn  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,165
Central NC
Originally Posted by Mattty843
. I’ve never trapped before, Thoughts?


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 and meet 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. Conventions have a couple days of demo’s from old pro’s sharing their tricks! 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, 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.

Find Tom Cat in the User List, he is in SC and makes good lures,etc.


www.sevenoakstrappingsupplies.com for trap mods and gear
The 10 Commandments are not suggestions.
Buy a soldiers meal EVERY chance you can.

Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: danny clifton] #7049890
11/14/20 06:56 PM
11/14/20 06:56 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,929
SEPA
L
Lugnut Online content
trapper
Lugnut  Online Content
trapper
L

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,929
SEPA
Originally Posted by danny clifton
I would get some #2 bridgers. about 10 bucks apiece new. You dont need an offset .

do this to the dog and the pan notch

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

When the pan moves the trap fires. Easy to set also. Put the dog in the notch and pull the pan up. Bend the post the dog is attached to back and forth a little so the pan is level when the trap is set.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

squeeze that loop in the dog closed a bit. You want the dog to only be able to move up and down. If it can move back and forth it will move forward as the paan comes down. The trap may not fire if there is enough movement.


I was never a fan of short-latching. I much prefer night-latching:

[Linked Image]

When I buy used traps that have been short-latched I'll refile them deeper and night-latch if there's enough meat left. If not I'll swap out pans.

To me the benefits of night-latching are one: pulling all the slop out of the system as you bury the dog in the notch then lower the pan to the night-latch and two: the audible click that lets you know you are ready to rock and roll.


Eh...wot?

Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: traprjohn] #7050075
11/14/20 09:38 PM
11/14/20 09:38 PM
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 117
South Carolina
M
Mattty843 Offline OP
trapper
Mattty843  Offline OP
trapper
M

Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 117
South Carolina
Holy crap. I can’t thank you enough for your kind words and input. I actually reached out to the president of my assn about a week ago and I’ve been in contact with him steadily since. He lives a couple towns over and he said once the season opens he would be happy to take me along. I’ve watched SOME videos on YouTube but predominantly just how to create hole sets and sets for cats.

Re: New trapper needing advise [Re: Mattty843] #7050109
11/14/20 10:09 PM
11/14/20 10:09 PM
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,351
Missouri
W
WhiteTrash 88 Offline
trapper
WhiteTrash 88  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,351
Missouri
I ain't no expert cat trapper, but l did manage to catch 7 or 8 last year trapping for coyotes. Was my first year trapping for canines and used Dunlops soul taker in pipe sets with mb550's. Caught 35 or 36 coyotes too. Bedded every set in peet moss with no pan cover. Not saying there ain't better ways but this worked pretty good for me. [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Good luck and enjoy the ride. Thanks again for your service.

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