Bridger 1 3/4
#7613249
06/26/22 03:40 PM
06/26/22 03:40 PM
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 39 Missouri
Jakesdad
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 39
Missouri
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First of all my boys and I are fairly new to trapping(less than 5 yrs)Our first few years it was nest predators only with the dp's. Last year we borrowed 6 MB550s from a friend and really enjoyed the new challenge of bigger predators. Question is we are wanting to do more of that and with 2 teenage boys who love trapping I'm trying to get as many sets in the ground as cost effectvely as possible. I know the MB's are the cream of the crop but it also comes with a price tag. Was looking at the bridger 1 3/4 and can get roughly twice as many for the same money(f&t). But at half the price +/- are the Bridger's a much lesser trap? Trying to go "cheap" without getting "cheap" if you know what I mean. Pretty much a greenhorn looking for some experienced advice. And I'm not offended if you're being honest. Thank you.
Last edited by Jakesdad; 06/26/22 03:44 PM.
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Re: Bridger 1 3/4
[Re: Jakesdad]
#7613299
06/26/22 04:58 PM
06/26/22 04:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 972 Georgia
yote65Ga
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 972
Georgia
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The Bridger 1 3/4 will do fine for the larger predators on a 24 hour check. You will have to straighten some dogs now and then but that only takes a minute.
Jim
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Re: Bridger 1 3/4
[Re: yote65Ga]
#7613308
06/26/22 05:08 PM
06/26/22 05:08 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,473 West Central MN
20scout
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,473
West Central MN
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The Bridger 1 3/4 will do fine for the larger predators on a 24 hour check. You will have to straighten some dogs now and then but that only takes a minute. X2
Common sense is a not a vegetable that does well in everyone's garden.
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Re: Bridger 1 3/4
[Re: Jakesdad]
#7613323
06/26/22 05:22 PM
06/26/22 05:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960 Northern Nevada
Bob
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960
Northern Nevada
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The Bridger 1 3/4 are a fine trap, on a 24 hour check so long as you got your pan tension right to avoid toe catches they’ll do just fine.
Personally I like the bigger jaw spread of a #3 sized trap, but thousands of coyotes and bobcats have been taken in bridger 1 3/4. After a few seasons you can always trade up if you feel the need, or buy the fancier traps a little at a time as money allows. I trapped a long time with duke #2s and whatever miscellaneous cheap traps I could pick up at yard sales before I was in a position to level up to really nice equipment.
Question, do you have access to and know how to use a welder? If you do you could take the cheaper traps and make them extremely solid with some very simple modifications
"I have two guns, one for each of ya."
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Re: Bridger 1 3/4
[Re: Jakesdad]
#7614280
06/27/22 10:15 PM
06/27/22 10:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960 Northern Nevada
Bob
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960
Northern Nevada
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Bridger #2 is a good choice. I prefer the dog on version, but that’s just personal preference. I’ve tried several different brands of dogless trap, never liked any of them.
I will say though, if you have fox in the area I highly suggest laminating them. They can be pretty rough on a fox with the stock jaws
"I have two guns, one for each of ya."
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Re: Bridger 1 3/4
[Re: Jakesdad]
#7614293
06/27/22 10:35 PM
06/27/22 10:35 PM
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 10,728 SW Georgia
Wanna Be
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 10,728
SW Georgia
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How many sets are you planning on setting? How much land do you have to trap? My first year I bought half a dozen MB550’s that came in a “starter kit” from MTP. Later that same year I bought another dozen. The next year I bought another dozen and so on and so forth, lol. I believe in the buy once, cry once. In my case it’s been buy 5 times, cry 5 times. Others disagree and they’re a lot smarter and knowledgeable than I am, but I prefer a trap I can take out of the box, wash the grease off, check pan tension, and set that afternoon. I’ve NEVER had to tinker with any of my MB’s…EVER. All came set at 3-3.5# and level. I love the night latch and again…I don’t like to have to tinker with something brand new! I want it to work straight out of the box. Are other brands the same? I don’t know from first hand knowledge, but if you read enough posts on here you’ll see a lot aren’t.
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Re: Bridger 1 3/4
[Re: Jakesdad]
#7614306
06/27/22 11:15 PM
06/27/22 11:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960 Northern Nevada
Bob
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960
Northern Nevada
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Wanna be is right, the lower cost traps will require some tinkering. You’ll have to file dogs and pans, set tension, level pans, possibly twist some levers, etc. with every mb550 I’ve ever bought I never had to touch any of it, and I’ve been using the same 5 dozen for over ten years. All my other traps have required some tinkering to get them to lay nice and fire nice and crisp at my preferred pan tension.
Not a dealbreaker for many, but I’m like wanna be, I don’t want to spend a bunch of time tinkering with traps, I just wanna wash em, wax em and set em.
"I have two guns, one for each of ya."
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