I was able to pick up a dozen 550s for $204

Southeastern Outdoor Supplies

The first dozen from Herters with Bday and allowance money saved for about a year. Second with the fur money I made from a dozen or so mrats and a big buck mink taken my first trapping season. All the rest from where ever I could find the best deal ever since. Though I have now a couple of hundred traps(many for specific setting) I have always been of the mind to find the most productive sets as possible. Took over 300 XXL northern coon one year with my first dozen 220's(that year had over 60 days of trappable weather, not common here). Learn to make your traps works as hi % possible for the amount of fur in your area(which is not at all the same between all trappers). I dedicate around 10% of my yearly fur check to new equipment(but I don't run many high end canine traps). I still have and use a few of those first traps and each has put hundreds of pelts in the fur shed and still are. Best investment I've ever made.

I have only bought new Duke 160's over the last decade. About 70% of my foothold traps were purchased used. Many were purchased when the national NTA was in FDL right during the real fur market crash and traps were very low cost. I bought 6 dozen 1 stoploss Victor round pan traps for $25 per dozen and two dozen 1.75 Victor Coils for $70 dollars. Since then I have bought several dozen traps from the trap shed and a few at conventions.
The last couple years shipping costs have gone up considerably so when I need traps I will look more closely at conventions when I attend or they are held again. At 73 I am not looking to add many and or to change my traps up much.
Bryce

MTP, FnT & Snareone.com.

Schmitt

Tom Florin sold me my first traps when I took WI trappers ed at WI-D10 rondy

since he stopped selling , F&T and MTP

Check ebay. I just got a dozen used Oneida Victor 1.75s in very good condition for $75 shipped, which was half the price of buying them new. Also see if you can find a local trap shed. I recently discovered one in central PA and it is a gem. Lots of supplies, advice, and outstanding prices.

Mostly from MTP and Cumberland s the last 15 years

Bought my first traps from Al Barton.

you've checked the 10+ places I urged you to get catalogs from?.......back on 12/21?

here's folks with #'s to call for a mentor. https://www.idahotrappersassociation.com/contact-us.html

I actually found 4 to ride with so I was able to spread myself some and learn different tricks/tips from them all, since no one does everything the same. you could try to do the same.

Some of my first new traps Midwest fur co. And M&M fur in s.d.
On up to present montgomery trap supply in Utah.
Plus a bunch of used trap's I have picked up from yard sales and trapper
Conventions.

I started at garage sales and a few local deals. All of the steel I currently use has come from deals on the Trap Shed forum here, MTP, WCS, and F&T.

Edit:
I forgot to add JR for the #9’s.

Bought my first traps (2 1/2 Blake and Lamb LS) for $15 a dozen out of FF&G. My grandmother would sometimes buy me a #3 Victor LS from Picketts Hardware store for my birthday or Christmas. Today if I'm buying new, they come from MTP.