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Otter avoiding traps? #7613931
06/27/22 01:52 PM
06/27/22 01:52 PM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 713
minnesota
T
trapperroscoe Offline OP
trapper
trapperroscoe  Offline OP
trapper
T

Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 713
minnesota
I am trying to get my first otter this year. I have some duke 160s I plan on using. If the traps are not dyed will otter avoid them? Thank you

Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7613951
06/27/22 02:17 PM
06/27/22 02:17 PM
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 695
Ontario
S
Saskfly Offline
trapper
Saskfly  Offline
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S

Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 695
Ontario
No they will not avoid them, now on to your trap choice...........

160's are on the smaller side. Never used the dukes before so cannot speak to the spring strength but sure others will. Would anchor it with cable and swivels.

Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7613952
06/27/22 02:18 PM
06/27/22 02:18 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,664
Wisconsin
G
Green Bay Offline
trapper
Green Bay  Offline
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G

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,664
Wisconsin
Knowing if you are trapping on land or water would be helpful.


Author of The Lure Hunter: A Guide to Finding Fishing Lures
Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7613957
06/27/22 02:20 PM
06/27/22 02:20 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,365
east central WI
K
k snow Offline
trapper
k snow  Offline
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K

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,365
east central WI
I've only trapped 5, but 4 were in 330's and one in a 280. All traps were spray painted dark brown, in the water.

Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7613971
06/27/22 02:44 PM
06/27/22 02:44 PM
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,864
Indiana
P
Providence Farm Offline
trapper
Providence Farm  Offline
trapper
P

Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,864
Indiana
330, 220, and cable restraint worked for me. Rusted, dyed, New trap, and gray cable didn't seem to matter.

Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7613975
06/27/22 02:47 PM
06/27/22 02:47 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat Offline
trapper
bctomcat  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
The smallest trap I would use for otter would be a 220BG, IMO a 330-size trap is a poor choice for otter also unless it is maintained fully submerged. For fast moving otter’s a 330-size trap quite often closes on them to far back resulting in poor hip catches that does not dispatch them quickly. My experience with the smaller 280 is that it closes faster and results in fewer, if any, poor catches. The 280 will also capture more of the incidental mink and muskrats that often trigger 330 beaver and otter sets without getting caught. Thus, it is the ultimate otter trap IMO.
Dying your traps is not necessary but it does protect them rusting.


The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.






Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7614004
06/27/22 03:30 PM
06/27/22 03:30 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,997
Oregon
beaverpeeler Offline
trapper
beaverpeeler  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,997
Oregon
And dying traps makes them faster. Otters will most certainly avoid body grip traps above land and even in the water sometimes. I have some watersheds that otter are darn hard to catch with any body grip except in the best crossovers. Other places and you don't even need to disguise your trap and they'll go right through. All in all if otter have seen one of their buddies get whacked they learn fast.

And finally, 160's are too small for otter. As noted above 220 is the smallest that will reliably take them.


My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7614051
06/27/22 04:28 PM
06/27/22 04:28 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,264
james bay frontierOnt.
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Boco Offline
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Boco  Offline
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Posts: 45,264
james bay frontierOnt.
160's and even 120's set for rats or mink will kill otter humanely.But they are not an otter trap.
You are limiting yourself to specific set locations by using those small traps for otter.
220 is an otter trap.
330's are a humane otter trap when set submerged.
280 is an odd sized trap,I own about 8 of them but I dont set them unless I run out of 330's for beaver or 220's for otter. A 280 will take otter humanely also.


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7614200
06/27/22 08:29 PM
06/27/22 08:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7,630
Virginia
5
52Carl Offline
trapper
52Carl  Offline
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5

Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7,630
Virginia
A 160 Belisle will dispatch an otter as well as a run of the mill 220. They will also dispatch your hand pretty good. If all I had was Belisle 160s, I wouldn't hesitate to use them, but I would rather have a 220 of any make just to give them a bigger hole to aim for.

Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7614327
06/28/22 12:21 AM
06/28/22 12:21 AM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat Offline
trapper
bctomcat  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
The 160 trap may be legal for otter in the states but is not legal for otter in Canada.


The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.






Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7614345
06/28/22 03:55 AM
06/28/22 03:55 AM
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,864
Indiana
P
Providence Farm Offline
trapper
Providence Farm  Offline
trapper
P

Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,864
Indiana
No one said it yet so I will for good measure just in case. DON'T WAX YOUR BODY GRIPS!

Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7614361
06/28/22 05:23 AM
06/28/22 05:23 AM
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,574
NH
T
trapNH Offline
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trapNH  Offline
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T

Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,574
NH
If trapping strictly for otter use the 280, I have caught dozens in 330s and even one in a 110 but the 280 is for otter.

Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7614381
06/28/22 06:33 AM
06/28/22 06:33 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,316
New York ,Adirondack mts.
M
mole Offline
"The Tman morning greeter"
mole  Offline
"The Tman morning greeter"
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,316
New York ,Adirondack mts.
Not an expert but I like 280 size trap when targeting otter. I have had them power out of 330 size. have caught them in 220 size but there again a beaver might show up first and I dont care for 220 and beaver. just my feelings.

Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7614522
06/28/22 09:57 AM
06/28/22 09:57 AM
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 439
Pottsboro TX Grayson county
J
Jiggamitch Offline
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Jiggamitch  Offline
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J

Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 439
Pottsboro TX Grayson county
I am still learning, but have gotten 6 otters now while beaver trapping with 330s. They were all caught far back. One actually pulled the stake but I found him and my trap at the bottom of the creek. Had another actually get out of the trap. Maybe 330s not ideal but still do the job?

Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: Jiggamitch] #7614527
06/28/22 10:02 AM
06/28/22 10:02 AM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,365
east central WI
K
k snow Offline
trapper
k snow  Offline
trapper
K

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,365
east central WI
Originally Posted by Jiggamitch
I am still learning, but have gotten 6 otters now while beaver trapping with 330s. They were all caught far back. One actually pulled the stake but I found him and my trap at the bottom of the creek. Had another actually get out of the trap. Maybe 330s not ideal but still do the job?


Same stage in the otter trapping game, I've had 4 in 330's, one was suitcased, 3 were neck caught. One in a belisle 280 was hip caught in water just deep enough to cover the trap, that one chewed some wood stakes before expiring.
I do make sure the 330 triggers are tuned for about an inch or so of movement at the wire tips before firing. Maybe that helps?

Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: k snow] #7614559
06/28/22 10:53 AM
06/28/22 10:53 AM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,459
Henderson, N.Y. Jefferson Co.
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walleyed Offline
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walleyed  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,459
Henderson, N.Y. Jefferson Co.
I don't routinely target otter as I am
first and foremost a muskrat trapper.

I have caught around a dozen otter
incidentally in single spring #160's
set for muskrat.

All were stone dead caught behind the ears
and apparently humanely dispatched.

That being said, I would not intentionally set
a #160 sized trap for otter.

walleyed.


"Provisional/Interim" member of NYS Trappers Association
Jefferson Co. Fur Harvesters

I Support Non-Resident Trapping



Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7614590
06/28/22 11:33 AM
06/28/22 11:33 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,997
Oregon
beaverpeeler Offline
trapper
beaverpeeler  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,997
Oregon
I have caught many hundreds of otters over the years. Most in 330's which is my go-to beaver set up. Most were humane catches and even the suitcased or hip-caughts usually drowned shortly after being caught; therefore humane catches.


My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7614603
06/28/22 11:53 AM
06/28/22 11:53 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,593
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
T
Trapper7 Online content
trapper
Trapper7  Online Content
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,593
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
Along with everyone else, I agree the 160 is too small for otter. 220 is OK, I've caught some in 220s. But, I prefer a 330 for otter. You can tune the 330 to fire faster by filing the dog. I think there used to be something in the archives about that. I found setting a tuned 330 with the trigger wires on the bottom it's hard for an otter to not fire the trap. I've never had an otter pull out of a Belisle Super X. In fact, I caught two in one Belisle once years ago. I think I posted the photo on Tman back then.


I don't care how nice the hand soap smells, you should never walk out of the restroom sniffing your fingers.
Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7616223
06/30/22 11:53 AM
06/30/22 11:53 AM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 713
minnesota
T
trapperroscoe Offline OP
trapper
trapperroscoe  Offline OP
trapper
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 713
minnesota
Wow! Thank you all for all the great advice. I really appreciate the responses. I do believe last time I checked 220 are illigal to set in trails in minnesota on public land. Any ideas how to overcome this issue. Ours have to be recessed somewhat. Thank you

Re: Otter avoiding traps? [Re: trapperroscoe] #7616233
06/30/22 12:01 PM
06/30/22 12:01 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,874
Adirondacks, NY
Fisher Man Offline
trapper
Fisher Man  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,874
Adirondacks, NY
# 280 is best size for otter.

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