Beaver Snare Locks
#7623115
07/09/22 09:00 PM
07/09/22 09:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 719 Oklahoma
We-Sa
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Oklahoma
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I have some 5/64" 1x19 snares with smoothie locks. Will these locks work okay for beaver? They seem awfully big compared to the mini pro locks I've used before. I've got a dozen of the mini pro locks, should I replace the smoothie locks?
“I don't know, Chief, if he's very smart or very dumb.” Capt. Quint
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Re: Beaver Snare Locks
[Re: We-Sa]
#7623264
07/09/22 11:57 PM
07/09/22 11:57 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,168 Rochester, MN
Teacher
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Rochester, MN
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I’ve used mini-cams, Newt’s Master lock, lo-pros, and the bigger cam locks (upsized mini-cams). They’ve all worked just fine on 5/64, 7x7 cable. At the recommendation of Newt and Dale Billingsley, I’m now setting my beaver snares on 10 ft extensions so the beaver is alive and up on the bank. They’re not stressed at all. Just waiting somewhere on the bank for me. This is on a 24-hour check.
My partner and I also use these same locks on his line but the snare is 40” long on a 9 ft drowning rod. I skin all of our beavers and there’s been no snare burns or gouges from the locks. Depending on the amount of twisting, I rarely have to cut the cable. If I can get a finger under the cable, I can generally back the locks off. Raccoons are another story!
Never too old to learn
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Re: Beaver Snare Locks
[Re: We-Sa]
#7623273
07/10/22 12:28 AM
07/10/22 12:28 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,263 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
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james bay frontierOnt.
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I use an Adams lock. Make sure the hole matches the cable,oversized lock on cable=lousy lock up and worn hole.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: Beaver Snare Locks
[Re: Boco]
#7623521
07/10/22 12:13 PM
07/10/22 12:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,497 Louisiana
AirportTrapper
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Louisiana
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I use an Adams lock. Make sure the hole matches the cable,oversized lock on cable=lousy lock up and worn hole. That's because of the lock design and material Not all locks are created equal.
If it makes a track on this earth , I can catch it.
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Re: Beaver Snare Locks
[Re: We-Sa]
#7623524
07/10/22 12:16 PM
07/10/22 12:16 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,497 Louisiana
AirportTrapper
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Louisiana
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I have some 5/64" 1x19 snares with smoothie locks. Will these locks work okay for beaver? They seem awfully big compared to the mini pro locks I've used before. I've got a dozen of the mini pro locks, should I replace the smoothie locks? The size of the lock doesn't really matter . In some cases the heavier lock will help . As long as the snare closes smooth and fast , and actually locks. You will be fine.
If it makes a track on this earth , I can catch it.
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Re: Beaver Snare Locks
[Re: We-Sa]
#7623577
07/10/22 01:40 PM
07/10/22 01:40 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,263 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
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james bay frontierOnt.
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Hole locks must be matched closely to cable size if you want superior lock up performance,and be able to re use the lock many times before the hole wears.An oversized hole lock wont lock tight leaving the animal alive for longer(waterhead) which causes the ruination of the lock for re use(rounds off the sharp locking edge). Wedge cams you can get away with a slight oversize because of the way the lock works.The wedge point locks the cable. Where I am I prefer an adams lock of proper size for a couple reasons-less prone to freeze up,lower profile,cheaper,and equal locking power to a wedge cam if matched properly to the cable. The wedge cam is superior when used with a kill spring for larger animals.
Last edited by Boco; 07/10/22 01:49 PM.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: Beaver Snare Locks
[Re: Boco]
#7623715
07/10/22 04:29 PM
07/10/22 04:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,497 Louisiana
AirportTrapper
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Hole locks must be matched closely to cable size if you want superior lock up performance,and be able to re use the lock many times before the hole wears.An oversized hole lock wont lock tight leaving the animal alive for longer(waterhead) which causes the ruination of the lock for re use(rounds off the sharp locking edge). Wedge cams you can get away with a slight oversize because of the way the lock works.The wedge point locks the cable. Where I am I prefer an adams lock of proper size for a couple reasons-less prone to freeze up,lower profile,cheaper,and equal locking power to a wedge cam if matched properly to the cable. The wedge cam is superior when used with a kill spring for larger animals. Again it depends on the lock design. Locks like the adams, slim lock and others similar, yes they have to be close to the same. I can run a 3/32 bmi minilock on 1/16 cable and most animals are dead without signs of a struggle. I have yet to see waterhead with this setup in a few thousand animals. From nutria to coyotes. Southern snare makes basically the same lock with a better angle, I have been switching over to those. Granted, we don't have as thick of fur ... that makes a difference as well.
Last edited by AirportTrapper; 07/10/22 04:37 PM.
If it makes a track on this earth , I can catch it.
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Re: Beaver Snare Locks
[Re: We-Sa]
#7623717
07/10/22 04:36 PM
07/10/22 04:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,497 Louisiana
AirportTrapper
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5/64 cable, I have found is not ideal for most snare locks without a spring. 1/16 cable is the best choice for a lethal snare here unless you are catching hogs.
If it makes a track on this earth , I can catch it.
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Re: Beaver Snare Locks
[Re: We-Sa]
#7623796
07/10/22 05:57 PM
07/10/22 05:57 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,263 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
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james bay frontierOnt.
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I think the reason some trappers believe an oversized hole lock is good,is because of the way it slides closed on their hand. However-a properly made snare with a lock hole closely matchet to the cable closes equaly well IF THE SNARE IS CONSTRUCTED CORRECTLY. From what I see most people do not know how to construct a snare that will close properly with a tight lock hole.They make up for this by going with an oversized lock.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: Beaver Snare Locks
[Re: We-Sa]
#7623815
07/10/22 06:11 PM
07/10/22 06:11 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8,294 Louisiana
Aix sponsa
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Tried to stay on track, but...On the subject of oversized snare locks, in my experience, whether or not oversized locks work well is dependent on the particular lock and how the snare is constructed.
Not all, but some lock designs seem to really need to be close in size, but SOME larger locks work very well. In my experience, Kieper style locks (kieper, BMI mini locks are a kieper design, etc), cam locks, and sure locks are 3 locks that seem to work fine with larger size locks. My example is hog snares. I like 1/8” kiepers, 1/8” cams, and 1/8” sure locks. I put them on 3/32” and 7/64” cable and they lock tight. Caught plenty by the nose and foot, plenty lethal snares too.
Adams locks are one of the few locks that I own but have never used. No experience with them.
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Re: Beaver Snare Locks
[Re: Boco]
#7623880
07/10/22 07:43 PM
07/10/22 07:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,497 Louisiana
AirportTrapper
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I think the reason some trappers believe an oversized hole lock is good,is because of the way it slides closed on their hand. However-a properly made snare with a lock hole closely matchet to the cable closes equaly well IF THE SNARE IS CONSTRUCTED CORRECTLY. From what I see most people do not know how to construct a snare that will close properly with a tight lock hole.They make up for this by going with an oversized lock. An oversized lock has more benefits than one that matches the size. Yes, snare construction is crucial. If a trapper can't make a snare function to its fullest extent, they will never see the benefit of different size locks for different species. Snare construction should be based on the way an animal hits the snare. Not pushing down with your hand. This is where loading snares comes into play.
If it makes a track on this earth , I can catch it.
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Re: Beaver Snare Locks
[Re: Boco]
#7623891
07/10/22 07:53 PM
07/10/22 07:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 719 Oklahoma
We-Sa
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Holy cow, boy am I getting way more info than I expected. I'm going to have to read through this a couple of times to make sure I don't miss anything. Hole locks must be matched closely to cable size if you want superior lock up performance,and be able to re use the lock many times before the hole wears. Are hole locks like Newts Slim locks or the Thin locks from Southern Snares? The two beaver I mentioned in my other post were my first experience with snares and I'm hooked. I can see myself using them whenever there's an opportunity.
“I don't know, Chief, if he's very smart or very dumb.” Capt. Quint
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Re: Beaver Snare Locks
[Re: AirportTrapper]
#7623904
07/10/22 08:10 PM
07/10/22 08:10 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,263 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
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james bay frontierOnt.
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Airport trapper said- An oversized lock has more benefits than one that matches the size.
After 52 years of snaring,I totally disagree with this statement.
Last edited by Boco; 07/10/22 08:12 PM.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: Beaver Snare Locks
[Re: Boco]
#7623916
07/10/22 08:24 PM
07/10/22 08:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,497 Louisiana
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Airport trapper said- An oversized lock has more benefits than one that matches the size.
After 52 years of snaring,I totally disagree with this statement.
That's fine.
If it makes a track on this earth , I can catch it.
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Re: Beaver Snare Locks
[Re: We-Sa]
#7623920
07/10/22 08:26 PM
07/10/22 08:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,497 Louisiana
AirportTrapper
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Some people get stuck in their ways. Nothing wrong with using what works for you. You are 100 percent correct when it comes to the adams lock.
If it makes a track on this earth , I can catch it.
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