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Replacing body gripper dogs #7311747
07/22/21 08:12 PM
07/22/21 08:12 PM
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k snow Online content OP
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Has anyone tried replacing the standard dog seen on most body grippers with Belisle type dogs?

I would think this would allow for a tighter closure of the jaws.

I'm thinking about ordering some for 330s and 160s.

Re: Replacing body gripper dogs [Re: k snow] #7311752
07/22/21 08:19 PM
07/22/21 08:19 PM
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james bay frontierOnt.
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I have put belisle dogs and triggers on LDL,Victor and BMI 330's
They function perfectly.

Last edited by Boco; 07/22/21 08:20 PM.

Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Replacing body gripper dogs [Re: Boco] #7311753
07/22/21 08:21 PM
07/22/21 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Boco
I have put belisle dogs and triggers on LDL,Victor and BMI 330's
They function perfectly.


Do you have to make any other modifications? Like jaw bending to get them to set?

I would think tuning the dog and trigger will probably need done.

Re: Replacing body gripper dogs [Re: k snow] #7311754
07/22/21 08:23 PM
07/22/21 08:23 PM
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james bay frontierOnt.
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No.Not if you replace the dog and trigger.

Last edited by Boco; 07/22/21 08:23 PM.

Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Replacing body gripper dogs [Re: k snow] #7311949
07/23/21 07:48 AM
07/23/21 07:48 AM
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Depending on the jaw shape, and the spring eye size, changing the dog on body grips will do nothing as far as a tighter close. Take a Duke 220 for example. With the trap sprung and springs extended to the side, you can open the jaws quite a ways. It may function with Belisle dog and trigger but, it would not make them close tighter. With your brand / size of trap sprung, with the spring out to the side, try to pull the jaws open. Unless they are closed tight to the dog and will not open, it will not help.
[Linked Image]

Last edited by MJM; 07/23/21 07:49 AM.

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Re: Replacing body gripper dogs [Re: k snow] #7311969
07/23/21 08:18 AM
07/23/21 08:18 AM
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I have a Bridger 160 that is built heavy and stout like a 220, but had a horrible trigger on it. Replaced the trigger clip with a Belisle and it now works right. Also got a Belisle dog for it but wasn't needed. The original Bridger dog worked with it just fine.

Wire sizes on these traps are all different and replacement clips and dogs have to match.

Re: Replacing body gripper dogs [Re: k snow] #7311974
07/23/21 08:26 AM
07/23/21 08:26 AM
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I guess Iam the only one that thinks ,the “ Sheet Metal” Belisle dog sucks. It keeps spreading open on the bar….and has to be squeezed shut with vice grips ,every so often….can’t stand them. [Linked Image]


Real dog on the left….sheet metal belisle on the right


It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.
Re: Replacing body gripper dogs [Re: bowhunter27295] #7311995
07/23/21 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by bowhunter27295

Actually it will allow for tighter closure as it relates to a muskrat foot or tail. The Belisle dog wraps around the jaw of the bg. The dogs on dukes and others is a pressed type trigger that has a hole in it and while the closure on a bg is nearly full closure there is still the gap created by the dog in between each jaw.
Take a look at how a Belisle dog attaches. I have Belisle dogs on all my bg traps 220 and bigger.

Although it would allow the trap to close tighter there is nothing to keep it closed. I have used a fair number of Belisles, and it is the jaw shape that makes the big difference in how tight they close. Yes the dog allows them to close tighter. But the dog isn't holding the jaws open on the Duke. When the spring eye and jaw don't touch, what will hold the jaws shut tight?


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Re: Replacing body gripper dogs [Re: k snow] #7312135
07/23/21 12:17 PM
07/23/21 12:17 PM
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james bay frontierOnt.
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The belisle dog design was developed primarily to prevent fur damage.A conventional dog on a trap with the clamping force of a belisle caused fur damage.

The big negative to the belisle dog is that when used on land in winter(marten trapping etc) they are prone to freeze up hard in freeze/thaw conditions.
Waxing prevents this.

Last edited by Boco; 07/23/21 12:20 PM.

Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Replacing body gripper dogs [Re: k snow] #7312138
07/23/21 12:20 PM
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Thanks for those pics, MJM. So to get a full closure, you'd have to bend the jaws in some at the corners.

Boco, fur damage is one of two issues I would think this would help, the other being mink and muskrat catches in 220s and bigger traps.

Re: Replacing body gripper dogs [Re: Nessmuck] #7312140
07/23/21 12:21 PM
07/23/21 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Nessmuck
I guess Iam the only one that thinks ,the “ Sheet Metal” Belisle dog sucks. It keeps spreading open on the bar….and has to be squeezed shut with vice grips ,every so often….can’t stand them. [Linked Image]


Real dog on the left….sheet metal belisle on the right


Ness, do yah think a quick little "psst" with a welder would keep the dog shut?

Re: Replacing body gripper dogs [Re: k snow] #7312240
07/23/21 03:34 PM
07/23/21 03:34 PM
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I have switched all of my conibear dogs on the larger sizes to Belisles. They are far less sloppy and do prevent pelt damage.Best you can use. I like the spring safeties too.

Re: Replacing body gripper dogs [Re: k snow] #7312259
07/23/21 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by k snow
Thanks for those pics, MJM. So to get a full closure, you'd have to bend the jaws in some at the corners.

I would switch out to Belisles if I thought I wanted the complete closure. The design of that trap makes it tighten more every time it bumps or is hit by something after a catch. Get one on you hand and bounce it around you will see what I mean. At one time I thought I wanted to switch out 30 dozen mixed 220's and 160's. I got between a third and half done and stopped contract trapping on that scale. So I didn't need 30 dozen body grips any more.
I would drill and bolt the dog if I was worried about them opening up and coming off. I have had them open some, but never had one come off. I always just squeeze them shut with common pliers. I believe the narrow dog in the trigger makes the Belisle fire much easier too. What size body grips are you talking about?


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Re: Replacing body gripper dogs [Re: k snow] #7312262
07/23/21 04:47 PM
07/23/21 04:47 PM
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MJM, I have been buying Belisles as I get more traps. I was interested in changing the dog mainly on 220s and 330s. Possibly some 160s as I have some great spots for them for dryland Mink sets. I never thought about the narrow dog giving a faster fire, but that make sense also. Yes, I've had my hand in a 280 belisle. Those don't let go at all.

Re: Replacing body gripper dogs [Re: k snow] #7312560
07/23/21 11:14 PM
07/23/21 11:14 PM
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Originally Posted by k snow
Originally Posted by Nessmuck
I guess Iam the only one that thinks ,the “ Sheet Metal” Belisle dog sucks. It keeps spreading open on the bar….and has to be squeezed shut with vice grips ,every so often….can’t stand them. [Linked Image]


Real dog on the left….sheet metal belisle on the right


Ness, do yah think a quick little "psst" with a welder would keep the dog shut?


Yup !


It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.
Re: Replacing body gripper dogs [Re: k snow] #7312644
07/24/21 05:26 AM
07/24/21 05:26 AM
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I have them on some victor 330s and dont care for them as I use them all year and they tend to wear where they go on the bar and I have to take a round file to them to get them to stay set.

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