Wife now has family in Kansas....I'm using this to my advantage.

There goes the neighborhood!

Yep.....never be the same

We don't mind a few coming here, but we don't need a bunch of the liberal mindset individuals that will disrupt our perfectly good red state mantra!

There's a few on here that you don't want there then

Took me a minute to get on TMan as yesterday (and today) are set new traps days on a ranch.

I use the 16" stock super stake chain stakes with 5 links cut off.

Love 'em.

I don't care for a full closure as IME they're a tad rougher on the paw blood flow in case I have to release something.

Thanks for the information Mark.

Do you think Mark you miss any toe caught animals at all with OS? I can see it happening

I dont run offset traps but it doesn't seem like the offset is big enough on most traps that the jaws would contact each other with a bobcat or coyote foot in the trap. If the jaws aren't touching each other wouldn't the jaws be putting the same amount of pressure on the foot ? Also seems like sliding back and forth in the jaws causes more damage than anything, so it would seem the tighter a foot is held the less damage. I read that they prefer traps with teeth on wolves for relocation because a puncture wound cause less damage than the sliding back and forth. At least that's what was written by one biologists involved with wolves wrote.

Offset or closed jaws you will always lose a few VERY FEW toe caught animals,the only traps i own that are not offset are 1 1/2 coils and MB 450's for coon ,mink or muskrat trapping.I think you get more damaged from no offset as for the paw sliding back in fourth you will have very little of that if your lock up is good.As for the toothed traps for wolf research the teeth allows the foot not to get as inflamed and drains the paw better,they give the wolves penaciline sp for any infection that might come from the captured animal.Thats my take on it,i know one of the biologist in Montana that does a fair amount of wolf research,they use LPC #7,MB 750's and a few Sterling 800's that was a few years ago.

Thanks for the input Rick. Does the jaws contact each other on most catches with offsets or does the foot normally still hold the jaws from being completely closed?

This is and offset 550 Duke, very similar to the MB, and this cat is held by 2 toes. I have held a fair amount of cats and k-9 the same. My experience is that they don't pull out. I bought all MB 550s a some years ago and wouldn't want to trade them. I bought Duke 550 this year just to try. I bought the MBs on mark june's recommendation. Thanks Mark, great advice as always.

Nice catch

Bruce,,,you gonna get a little dog named Toto?

You moving to Kansas? If so, what part of the state? If you move to the west part, you might bring some photos of trees with you. Otherwise, you might forget what they look like (except in town).

Lol.....nope

Southwest.Thats fine....

Superb photo