Curious on everyone’s thoughts on factory chain. I see a lot of upgraded chain posts in the archives and wondered what the minimum was for coyote, beaver, otter.. Most of the #3’s i have are Montana special with what i assume is #2 or 3 chain. However, in a 1.5, #11, or some older long springs, the 2/0 twin link chain is still intact. What is the real strength of 2/0 twin link? And with a 24 hr check, is it worth it to replace with #2 quality chain?
Would adding swivels alone make you feel more comfortable with larger catches?

Thanks

I've yet to have any factory chain fail.

X2

Swivels are like cash. Ya can’t have too much.

I always replace twin loop, straight link just lays nicer. On a 1.5 where you’re targeting smaller critters up to fox I’d say the twin loop is fine. On coyote and bobcat traps I always upgrade the chain, cause around here there’s always the chance I’ll hook up with a lion. On good quality traps like Montana’s the factory chain is fine.

I’m starting to replace my cables with the chained Super Stakes. Not sure what size that is but I don’t think anything we have down here is going to break it. Bought 1/8” cable for my DP’s. As the old starts to wear out I just cut the anchor off and build a new with the stronger cable. I’m liking the chain more on the footholds because I don’t have to drive it in as far like I do with cable and it coils up nice in the bed. Summer trapping all I need is about 8” when it’s a wet winter that 16” or so might have to be used.

I have a dozen of the finned super stakes with the number 2 twist link chain and I have had a couple of those fail, Might have been a bad batch of chain with weld issues as a chain link opened up on both failures. They were not stressed pulling them as I use the retrieval cable for that. I also pre drill holes so they were not likely damaged driving them in either.

I don't catch a pile of coyotes by any means, but I do replace all my chain with #3 machine chain and 3 swivels per trap, as well as running chained super stakes with machine chain. While I've never had factory chain fail, it just helps me to sleep better knowing that if a big mean fighting coyote steps in one of my traps, none of my gear will fail, just a chance I don't like taking

What size coyotes y’all got? I’ve held a 90# feral with a 12” 3/32 cable, in sand, lol.

It’s not the coyotes I worry about, I just don’t want to have to call my buddy to bring his hounds to get my trap back off a big tom lion lol.

Ahhh, gotcha. Yeah, that’s probably not something you’d look forward too, if it’s even possible, lol.

We have a lot of lions here. I don’t know what would be worse, snagging a 160 pound lion and having the chain fail, or snagging him and having the chain hold lol we aren’t allowed to trap them here, only hunt them, so if one is accidentally caught it has to be released. I haven’t caught one yet, but it’s just a matter of time

Bob - when you do catch a lion, please video the release. I would love to have such a possibility!

If you are using a snare pole to release, my best advice is be careful and don't choke them down to long. Cats (lion or bobcat) choke out amazingly easy, first one I released I thought I had killed and had to give him a couple chest thumps. I've not had to release a big tom lion, on a small one if I have someone to help I won't choke them at all, just pull the noose tight enough they can't slip it (if you manage to get a leg in the loop even better) and have the helper stretch the lion out until the chain is taught and then I can release the trap. Not sure how well that will work on a 150 lb tom on the end of the pole after the trap is off however, he may be a bit of a handful Gets a little more interesting doing it by yourself and trying to hold catch pole with your body, legs, armpit, whatever; while keeping the lion stretched out and using your hands to release the trap.

when I do catch one I will be sure to video it, if for no other reason than for the folks who find me to know what happened if it goes bad lol. I sincerely hope I don’t have to do it anytime soon but around here there is always the possibility that any given land set has a lion in it when you check it. Thanks for the tips bearcat, I’ll remember that when I eventually do have to release one!

Felines have a very exposed and unprotected larynx.
It can be easily closed off or damaged by the cable on a catch pole.

I would enjoy helping release a mountain lion!

Coyotes are the only animal I ever had trouble with chain. I had a couple chew twin loop chain till it was flat. One time one twin loop chain was almost busted in two. Fortunately I shot first and then found that out. All my coyote traps have machine chain. All my water traps get whatever I can scrounge. Coyotes have a way of showing you where your weak spots are in your equipment. Biggest coyote I ever got weighed 50 lbs on a scale. Most big ones here are 40 to 43 lbs.

We have lots of hogs and a K9 extreme will hold one of good size. Also our ground can go from super soft to hard as concrete. I went with mb#3 chain on everything except some traps I currently have out to cover all the bases.

Preach !

All my traps from #2/MB 550/K9 extreme jr and larger have #3 straight link chain and at least 3 crunch proof swivels. All J hooks welded. Many also have shock springs. My saber tooth drags are on #5 chain with additional swivels. Run a good bit of 1.65 and 1.75s as well. These have #2 straight link chain and AT LEAST 2 crunch proof swivels and also welded j hooks. Use mostly WRENCH TIGHTENED quick links as connections to anchors to facilitate swapping or moving traps around without pulling anchors in season.