I've got 6 of the #2OS and I'm looking at them............. The aren't terribly stout looking. But, I think they oughta hold a coyote. But does the stock chain need shortened ?? It's about a foot long. They are double-swiveled. The 1.75's are about the same in chain. But both are only set up to single-stake. Will a single 30"x1/2" re-rod stake be enough to hold a 'yote in solid soil. ??

My MB550's are shorter in chain and set up to double stake. But there's only 6 of them.

I run a LOT of Bridger 2s and some 1.75s on my coyote line. I use the 1.75s where I have a lot of coon possible catches or some people traffic. The 1.75 doesn’t cost me much if I lose a couple to theft. I only wish the 1.75 had a better quality pan, but rest of the trap holds fine.
The 2s are plenty stout to hold coyotes. Haven’t rebuilt a Bridger 2 yet.
I also run some 3s but I think the three can grab a little high at times and it’s too high for coon catches so I use my threes where I don’t have as many coon. The 3 has a big target area so they can be forgiving for trap placements at sets and you get few misses which is I why believe they are popular among traditional coyote trappers. The two is about right though for consistent pad catches. I get a lot of too high catches in 3s.
The Bridger 2 is a great multi-species trap in my opinion. Cats, coyotes, badger, fox, coon, my line could see any of them even when I am only targeting coyotes. I have quite a mix of 2s. Some offset, some standard jaw, some with dogless pans and some with dogs. I also have some laminated, some not. I trust all of my 2s to do their job and they don’t disappoint me.
Double stake or cable anchors is what I use. I would never single stake in this area. Easy to add either anchor style to new traps. I only have one 550 and it is not my favorite, well built and stout, but pretty low jaw height. I like the higher square jaw Bridger jaw style.
You are welcome to PM me also.

Some catches with 2s.





Here is a 1.75 catch.

Those bridgers will hold them and I wouldn't worry so much about the chain imo. If your using re-rod I would defiantly double stake them. I would not trust 1 rerod. If you switch to earth anchors then 1 is all you need in most situations. Alot of it depends on your soil conditions.

Like JabNE, about all I use is Bridger No 2's and he's right about them being a great multi-species trap. I've got some nice sleepy creek 1.75's but I always grab those Bridgers.

JMHO, I'd split that chain and add a swivel. The wolf-fangs and super stakes on chains or cables work great. If it's rocky where you trap I'd recommend the super stakes If it's not, the wolf fangs or double rebar stakes will work fine.

I put some #2's together this past summer. Outside laminated them and base plated. Also made them 4 coil. Going to give them a try in a week. I really like the #3's but they are a little big for fox in my opinion.

Thanks fellers !!!

Not sure whether I'm going to change out the rings on my 1.75's and 2's to accommodate double re-bar or if I'm going to get some Berks or Fangs and go thataway.

Our soil here is SOLID. I always single 30" re-bar staked and held fox and coon with zero issues. But holding coyotes is, as yet, and unknown quantity for me.

That chain length is fine and those traps will hold up real good, carry a plied and a few spare dogs maybe, Bridger #2 is solid, only thing I don’t like about the 1.75 is the thin pan that likes to bend so I welded some reinforcement to the the bottom

I mainly use #2 Bridger offsets. I like them a lot, but HATE that rectangular chain attachment point. "The Hammer" is baseplating some of mine and switching out the chain and adding JC Conner swivels.

I run alot of bridger #2 offset 4 coil . In dogless and dog on. I even have some in duke too. Both brands are set up same way. Laminated base plated offset 4 coil. 3 to 4 swivels and a shock spring. Never had any issues with them on coyotes. When i goto buy some more traps. They will be #2 set up the same way. I have caught them in stock trap. U have some good coyote traps they will hold them.

Even if the trap seems small, it will have a better chance holding a coyote at a set then it will sitting in your garage. Are they the perfect trap for coyotes? In most places, not really. Do people use them? Yes. Do I use them? Yes.

My real opinion on those size traps is I like them. I prefer the smaller traps for many reasons, but these are all personal opinions. I like that I can fit more of them in the trap box in my truck and my backpack when I'm setting. I get more pad catches than wrist catches. Easier on the fox that plug my sets. And the "kill" spot on the trap is the same as a #3 (the pan). And finally, springs have nothing to so with holding power. Holding power is based on the physics of the levers moving up the jaws. But I also live in the desert where we don't have to deal with frozen ground often (and most seasons not at all) so I'm not worried about having more power.