I just started trapping, so I wondered what everyone liked? also has anyone used the the round ones?


thanks

Bridger makes good ones that won’t break the bank

What species?Land or water sets?

land, raccoons, possum

I would just buy Dukes. Dead is dead.

Any bodygrips on land should have good striking force and also clamping force-go with a magnum trap for land.
In water clamping force is not as critical and non magnum traps are good.

I prefer the round (RBGs) body grips. Thy are just as deadly and blend In better then the square ones and work to perfection when trapping den holes. You also have more options when It comes to trigger arrangements
The only down side Is you have to chase the springs around. But once you get use to It It's not a big deal.

Belisle.

i heard that their safeties were better? is that right?

I'm ahead of you by a few years. I had the same question and my solution was to buy some of each to make my own comparison. So my collection includes Duke, Victor, BMI, Bridger, Sleepy Creek, CTM and Belisle. Belisle are in a class by themselves. Made stronger, better triggers out of the box, better safeties, cables with swivels vs. light chain with rings, etc. They are also of a different size than anything else, so most stabilizers like H stands that fit other brands won't fit a Belisle. They are also more expensive......probably 1.5X or more than a similar trap by others. So if you are only getting a few traps, and want the best, get Belisle 160's, which is a good size for coon, skunk, possum and groundhogs.

As for the rest......quality and sizes are all over the place. A Duke 160 as compared to a Duke 220 and some other 160's is flimsy, yet has accounted for a lot of fur. Same with Victor......big step up between a Victor 160 and 220 in terms of heft and materials used. The 160 kinda light, the 220 a hammer.

But so far, I have found the Duke 160's, while light compared to others, appear to work. They have caught a lot of coon, skunks and possum. The Duke 220's are serious hammers. And have found both to have decent triggers out of the box. Can't say the same for the Duke 110's, but the larger traps seem OK.

thanks!

Belisle's are my choice for most species and their safties are THE BEST.

are Belisle harder to set?

Not really if you use a setting tool.

X2.

X2 IMO you either buy Belisles and get great traps, or you just as well buy the Dukes because they are cheapest and just as good as all the others. (except maybe Sauvageau)

I have 330's from duke, victor, bridger and they've all caught beaver and an otter or two. Some may take a little tweaking to get the trigger the way you want it, but that's preference for many people. You can always find a couple used of various brands or buy a trap every now and again and find what you like.

I have literately killed 1000s and 1000s of coon In Duke 160s. And I've lost track of all the otter and beaver I've caught In Duke 280s and Duke 330s. That's the BG I would buy.

Belisle are my go to

Must be a Canadian thing.
They didn't fit on H stands they are over priced and the origanl triggers were junk. And for some reason I had more live coon In those traps then I did with my Dukes. The only thing they had going for them were the safeties.