Bridger #2 or #3 for coyotes
#7472115
01/25/22 07:16 AM
01/25/22 07:16 AM
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Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 237 Texas
Sharkhunter
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 237
Texas
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First of all I’d like to say hello. Long time follower and just joined so its my first post.
I’m looking for a little advice from the guys who run Bridger #2 & #3 dogless . I’m going to be buying a few more traps and my main target species is coyote with bobcat a close second. Is the #3 a better option if my main target is coyotes? This is for predator control on a 2k acre property with a coyote problem in Texas.
Last edited by Sharkhunter; 01/25/22 07:30 AM.
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Re: Bridger #2 or #3 for coyotes
[Re: Sharkhunter]
#7472123
01/25/22 07:28 AM
01/25/22 07:28 AM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,361 Firth, Nebraska
jabNE
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,361
Firth, Nebraska
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I run quite a few of both 2s and 3s. Starting to like the dogless more, less moving parts. I repair a lot of dogs each season on my bridgers but they are one of my preferred models. If I had to pick i like the 2s better. Pad catches every time. Sometimes 3s grab a little too high. But 3s have a big target area and depending on your set or dirt pattern that can be helpful to some in avoiding misses. We have a ton of coon here and some fox, also badger. 3s are way too big for most of those but it is the world I trap in here and it truly is a mixed bag of possibilities whenever I set for coyotes. Thus 2s work better for me here but again I run a lot of both. Pm me if you want pics.
Jim
Last edited by jabNE; 01/25/22 07:32 AM.
Money cannot buy you happiness, but it can buy you a trapping license and that's pretty close.
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Re: Bridger #2 or #3 for coyotes
[Re: Sharkhunter]
#7472317
01/25/22 10:30 AM
01/25/22 10:30 AM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,956 Northern Mn
rick olson
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,956
Northern Mn
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I know you are asking about Bridger 2,3's which are good footholds,but I would look hard at MB 550's or Victor Monty's both are more money,$20 to $30 more per dozen???If you go with the Bridger's I would laminate and round the sharp edges of the jaws #2 Bridger would be the foothold for down there.
Last edited by rick olson; 01/25/22 11:38 AM.
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Re: Bridger #2 or #3 for coyotes
[Re: Sharkhunter]
#7472355
01/25/22 10:55 AM
01/25/22 10:55 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12,414 South Ga - Almost Florida
Swamp Wolf
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12,414
South Ga - Almost Florida
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I have 11 dozen of the Bridger 2 dogless. They are stock except i put custom chains on em because I had them.
I did live market coyotes for years with full modified traps....lams , baseplated...yadda, yadda, yadda. Quit the live market and retooled with the Bridger 2 dogless. None of that stuff is necessary unless you're live marketing. All those mods make some trapper feel good and some weaker made traps hold together, but that's about it.
I use 2s here in Ga because of the jawspread law and due to trapping in hound country. Stock jaws are not bad on their feet.
If trapping where you're going to be I'd go with the 3s. No mods are needed. You will need to adjust those pans level right out of the box, but other than that they will be ready to go. Stock chains are fine.
Bridger dogless are great traps.
Thank God For Your Blessings! Never Half-Arse Anything!
Resource Protection Service
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Re: Bridger #2 or #3 for coyotes
[Re: USMC47 🦫]
#7473198
01/25/22 09:42 PM
01/25/22 09:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 237 Texas
Sharkhunter
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 237
Texas
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Good to know USMC47! Thank you for the information. Are yours 4 coiled ? I was a welder by trade for years so laminating them is a piece of cake but just wanted to be sure the issue you’re talking about is for both 2 and 4 coil?
Last edited by Sharkhunter; 01/25/22 09:45 PM.
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Re: Bridger #2 or #3 for coyotes
[Re: Sharkhunter]
#7473201
01/25/22 09:45 PM
01/25/22 09:45 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7,993 Montana
beartooth trapr
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7,993
Montana
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#3's first and when I run out of them the #2's come out
Let me sugar coat this
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Re: Bridger #2 or #3 for coyotes
[Re: Sharkhunter]
#7473316
01/25/22 11:11 PM
01/25/22 11:11 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12,414 South Ga - Almost Florida
Swamp Wolf
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12,414
South Ga - Almost Florida
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If you're gonna laminate a trap that dont need laminating for those TX coyotes you should just buy MB 550s.
Last edited by Swamp Wolf; 01/25/22 11:11 PM.
Thank God For Your Blessings! Never Half-Arse Anything!
Resource Protection Service
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Re: Bridger #2 or #3 for coyotes
[Re: Sharkhunter]
#7473353
01/25/22 11:45 PM
01/25/22 11:45 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,312 Montana
USMC47 🦫
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,312
Montana
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Good to know USMC47! Thank you for the information. Are yours 4 coiled ? I was a welder by trade for years so laminating them is a piece of cake but just wanted to be sure the issue you’re talking about is for both 2 and 4 coil? Sharkie, these are all 4 coiled. But….they’re also all offset. That can make a difference also. The offsets lock up much tighter. That may be why Swampwolf doesn’t laminate his. I doubt you’d need a 4 coiled trap in Texas. I’d also agree the 550 would be a great TX trap. Being a welder is handy. I don’t weld but one of the guys I teach does. He’s a heck of a metal guy.
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Re: Bridger #2 or #3 for coyotes
[Re: Sharkhunter]
#7474806
01/27/22 08:02 AM
01/27/22 08:02 AM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,361 Firth, Nebraska
jabNE
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,361
Firth, Nebraska
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I didn't take many pics this winter but here are a few. Mix of 2s and 3s, all bridgers. Bridger 3, dogless Bridger 2, dog on Bridger 3 dog on, had to replace this trap after this coyote broke the dog. It was an older trap, easy fix at home. Literally broke the dog in half and couldnt reset it after catch. Replaced with another from the truck and had another coyote next night, same set, see next pic. Broken dog. Again, easy fix but for reset just pulled it and replaced with another #3 from the truck. Bridger 3, replacement trap, scored next check. Bridger 3 dogless, bought it fully modified except I removed the extra springs so just laminated and dogless 2 spring. This is a nice trap. My boys say I'm just old and weak, and catch coyotes just fine with 2 springs. When these springs eventually get weak ill put the boosters back on...but only then.
Last edited by jabNE; 01/27/22 09:19 PM.
Money cannot buy you happiness, but it can buy you a trapping license and that's pretty close.
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Re: Bridger #2 or #3 for coyotes
[Re: Sharkhunter]
#7475009
01/27/22 11:33 AM
01/27/22 11:33 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12,414 South Ga - Almost Florida
Swamp Wolf
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12,414
South Ga - Almost Florida
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Another great thing about these Bridger dogless traps is how flat they are when set resulting in the easiet trap to bed stable that is available.
Thank God For Your Blessings! Never Half-Arse Anything!
Resource Protection Service
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Re: Bridger #2 or #3 for coyotes
[Re: Sharkhunter]
#7475645
01/27/22 09:22 PM
01/27/22 09:22 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,361 Firth, Nebraska
jabNE
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,361
Firth, Nebraska
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The bridger 3 has about same jaw spread as victor 4 long. I run a lot of my Bridger 3s for coyotes in winter and then for beaver in spring. Work great on beaver.
Money cannot buy you happiness, but it can buy you a trapping license and that's pretty close.
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