What size and brand is the best coil spring traps for coon

I'll make the popcorn!

Make it a big bucket for sure.

I'll throw out two:

Best bang for the buck, Duke 1.5s

My favorite, number 11s, cause I like made in usa traps and double longsprings are cool.

I got me some very good coon traps from Andrew E. over the weekend....came with advice from him and Danny C.

Where are you trapping? Many things need to be considered before setting any trap .Also if there are non target species . Many types of traps from live to humane kill traps all have their place .

The subject line says he is trapping raccoon.

And he asked about size and brand of COIL springs.

I realize I stepped out of bounds with my suggestion of #11s.

I got this one ,

Which ever one works for you!

in slightly more seriousness it is so much a ford vs Chevy discussion everyone has their favorite for one reason or another and most of them do what needs to be done , set, fire, and hold.

honestly if your just targeting Racoon DP's technically have coil springs , it is a specialized trap for a basically a single species but it sets so fast and avoids a number of non targets.

Good point about the DP traps, Pete. I do wonder how many coon are missed though if you only use DP's. I have switched to a combo of DP's and bodygrips in trails and my catch number has risen significantly.

a lot fewer than are missed if you can't trap the location at all

I make sure to show any land owners who will listen how to get their barn cat out of a DP

I mainly trap farms near buildings so it is , what it is

Body grips tend to be a little permanent and have a place just not around barns

I wish I had good places to use BGs and the time to run a long line. I just don't and my trapping at this point is mostly to help out friends and keep land and favor for other things.

Duke 1 1/2 double jaw.

I win

Duke 1.5 work and are the cheap option. And what I would use when theft is a possibility. Infact what in on my way out to set for a coon messing with my bee feeders now. And there is little to on chance of theft in my bee yard on my back 40 of my farm. Thay just work. Double Jaws are Even better for coon I think though I have never owned them.

I think most of the dog proof traps are a good bet for coon.

All my coil springs were 1 1/2 Victors set up on a drowning cable.

I like 1 1/2 victor coils

OK this is tricky and depends where you live, regulations, non targets etc. SO here is my list of "preferred" coon traps and sizes (bands are up to you)

#1 Long-springs with chains reversed (older Victor or Blake and Lamb are preferred) Eastern Coons
#11 Double Jawed Long-springs (Sleepy Creek makes a dandy!) Eastern Coons
# 1 1/2 coils - Western Coons

Assorted Dogproofs (I do like Z trap better)

#160 or 220 Bodygrips (Dukes are decent but if you have a bit extra get Bridgers, I prefer the 160's in boxes and the 220's in trails.

Snares are death on coons, 3/32" with washer locks, but they do leave marks and I don't like marks on my fur.

Those are my thoughts for what they are worth

One and a half duke double jaws, best hands down.

I’ve got some duke 1.5s but mostly Bridger 1.5s and a bunch of older victor and sleepy creek 11s.
I run a lot of Vic 2 longs for coon also.
Are these the best? I don’t know, it’s what I have and use though. Most of my longs are pretty old like 80s and 90s. They work well. The Bridgers and dukes I have are about 10 years or more and they work well too.

I add mid chain swivels to ALL of my coon foothold traps. Can never have enough swivels.I do have quite a few duke and Z trap DPs too. I know, not coils, but the do have a coil spring in them

Need a smaller jaw spread like 1 or 1.5 size. Need to be strong. Coon can grab with all four feet and their front feet are relatively flat and tapered. Need a trap that has a tenacious hold. Lots of swivels. Try to keep the set area free from brush and things they can grab into to power out. A big boar is a very strong animal with little flat tapered feet.
Thus the old adage, set for a mouse but anchor for an elephant.
I do some water trapping but lions share of my coon trapping is dryland sets.

I learned a long time ago you need a variety of tools. I run some cages, and a lot of 160s and 220s also. Just depends on the location and tool to do the job for me. Same with baits and lures too for coon. Sometimes they will walk right by one set and get caught in the next with a different bait. Gang set hot locations.

Jim

Mid chain swivels are vital on ALL traps from muskrat to coyotes!

I personally like running dps quick and easy to set avoids most non targets but you'll get the occasional possum probably a few other things. I also use live traps if the situation is right I guess it depends on how you want to run your trapline... just my 2 cents

Agreed. I have run 100s of these every year for a lot of years. They do the job well and are cheap to replace when needed.