Question for those that own an use them for trapping. Do you like the short length of pull stock that is found on most of these rifles or would you prefer a longer one?

The short stock does make a more compact package but is a bit more awkward for folks with longer arms.

They work fine in my opinion, if you dont have a small pistol , up close one handed is all you need.

Never been an issue for me when I used them. But I'm short at 5'8" I no longer dispatch contracting that out. Those short guns fit my contractors perfectly;)

I have a lil badger 22. It's basically a kids gun in size. Basically use it one handed but for when you actually have to shoulder mount it, not exactly a fun proposition

I prefer a full size rifle, chances are pretty good a rabbit or squirrel is going to come home with me when I run the line and for that I much prefer a full sized rifle. If I need small, that's what pistols are for.

I've known lots of them to be carried behind a cast of coonhounds as well. Back in the day of radio telemetry a chipmunk could easily slide into a yagi bag slung across the back.

Pistol for me frees up both hands it seems a rifle is less practical on my trap line.

Use whatever works for you but still gets the job done properly.

I bought a little Marlin single shot youth gun I can shoot it ok but

I find I take my full length marlin or a 10/22 for the reason mentioned earlier , what I may see along the way to shoot and to not have to handle ammo just pop a mag in

the barrel has to be >16 inches no matter what, what's a few more at that point to have a stock that fits

if not the wrangler rides very nice in a holster and does all the up close work I need

actually , not even that close, I was shooting steel plates at 50 yards last week with the wrangler just couldn't seem to hit at 100 yards though.
so a rabbit at 20 yards or a squirrel at 10 would be something I would take a poke at.

for the price of the youth guns now , if you can legally have a pistol and your just doing dispatch it is less work to carry a Wrangler and not much more money other wise a 10/22 or other gun that fits you and isn't to heavy is more useful for me

How about a target pistol in .22. I'm amazed at how accurate my buckmark is. The target pistols are far more accurate than the typical carry pistols. Just a thought.

Main advantages I can think of is as guns go, relatively inexpensive.......are available.......and shoot shorts.

A little pink Crickett?

I have an Ithaca 49 Single shot 22 that I picked up at a pawn shop for like $50. It was rough, but I stripped/polished the receiver and refinished the wood because I like to tinker. I also added sling swivel studs for a leather sling. If I'm doing alot of walking I carry my ruger single 6.

I carry a little Steven’s Crackshot, the newer version. It’s accurate and quieter than a pistol.

I don't use it for the trapline but I've shot my son's Krickett and killed several rabbits with it at 10-15 yards with no problem at all. No reason you couldn't use it point blank for dispatch. That said I prefer a pistol or revolver on the trap line for dispatch, though I do use a 10/22 sometimes on coyotes at a little longer range while they are setting still to avoid the rodeo that comes when you approach.

The Henry Youth Rifle is an awesome trapline gun, very light and very accurate

I carry a savage rascal. Only 2.5 pounds

One of these will work no matter if you got long or short arms


Sight it in for 20 feet.
If you cut the stock off behind the pistol grip it will fit in your trapping basket.

Question regarding using a rifle in the ROW in Iowa to dispatch an animal.....is it legal? I've heard two different opinions on this. It's my understanding that a rifle cannot be used in the ROW in Iowa. But I know many people who use them...

not legal in some places like WI no projected light sights for game animals

also you still need to make >26 inches overall length or you have created an NFA item

for nice weather days

the MKIII is a time consuming to break down and fully clean after being out in the rain.

not sure on the buckmark how time consuming the cleaning breakdown is