Hey everybody I’m looking for some advice on western cat trap variations. I plan on setting exposed traps but don’t really know where to start with size , type, and brand. I’m starting from scratch as far as traps go and these are the main 3 I’m looking at. Bridger #3 dogless fully modified, no b.s. k-9 extreme and the bridger #4 dls. I like the idea that the springs on the dls won’t freeze down to the ground but dislike that it’s not center swiveled and needs a paws i trip pan system. I know all of these things can be done but the dls are over $300 a dzn when modified how I want. The bridger #3 and the no b.s are already tricked out and need nothing other than maybe the expanded pans, what does everyone prefer for freezing conditions, exposed sets, including oversized pans or stock pans. Thanks guys

I really like double longsprings, I have some set right now waiting on a cat, but I also have a lot of bridger #3 coils and they’re great for bobcat. I don’t have any trouble with the coil springs freezing down on exposed sets, just lay down a few pencil sized sticks under your trap to hold it up off the ground a tiny bit and you’re good to go.

The double longs do not need a paws-I-trip system. Mine are all stock pans and dogs with either nightlatches or miles triggers filed in and they work perfectly well. It is also very easy to relocate the swivel to the center. If you have access to a welder they can be tricked out for very cheap, but they’re fine traps just stock.

Most of the big numbers bobcat guys around here have gone to modified Bridger 1 3/4 or similar for cat traps. So the guys that are pulling 50-100+ cats a year, that’s what they’re using. So you don’t really need to go with big traps. Bobcats are not Superman, you don’t need expensive tricked out traps to catch them.

All my traps have stock pans and I’ve never thought bigger pans would help me much. With bobcat it’s all about the guiding, you force it to step directly where you want. Leave no other option. They are not shy about being crowded.

All of my exposed cat traps are on 10’ of chain with drags, because I don’t want my set tore up so I can reset it.

As Bob points out the beauty of exposed sets is they don't freeze down and big strong traps aren't needed to catch and hold cats. Especially with exposed and properly guide traps. Very controlled foot placement and good catches with these sets.

Bob, that is great information. I know that cats aren’t necessarily strong and pretty much all you need is a trap that is fast and locks up good. I guess the most daunting thing is the options and fact that everyone uses different stuff for cats. I was originally thinking mb 550 2 coils cause they’re on the smaller side and east to set but still plenty for cats. Also am I overthinking just using the bridger #4 dls stock? Do I need to worry about it not being center swiveled? What pan tension would I aim for on the #4 if I choose those?

I prefer a #3 LS OS over a 4. I have found that cats aren't terribly hard to hold. I run long chains, lots of swivels and most are center swiveled.

Definitely want off set traps, the problem with #3 is no one makes em anymore so they’re tight to find.

I aim for 3 lbs on all my traps.

I have caught and held many coyotes and foxes and a few bobcat in stock, 2 coiled mb 550s, they are a great choice. No, the #4s do not necessarily need to be center swiveled. It’s nice, but not the be all-end all. I would not hesitate to use them stock, except for filing a miles trigger in which you can do in 5 minutes with a cheap file.

Just get what you like. There are many options and none of them are the holy grail. I have my favorite traps I use because I’ve tried many and a few just fit my style better than others. You’re gonna have to do the same. If you can afford to get a half dozen of 3 or 4 different traps, and by the end of the season you’ll know which ones you’re gonna order more of and sell the rest. Honestly just about any modern trap 1-3/4 or bigger is gonna hold a cat.

Here’s a pic of one I got in a stock, 2 coiled 550. As you can see, held very nicely.

Try them you will like them I use steel screen and regular trap pan and get along fine sprinkle some fines on the screen and go

That’s not a bad idea at all there, I definitely like the mb 550 the most and have had all the traps or similar variations so I think I’ll just run that way and see how it goes. I see a lot of people just spray paint their cat traps do I need to worry about dying and waxing?

My favorite exposed set cat trap is a Blake and Lamb #3 with a PIT pan.

Super stable, strong springs, and those malleable jaws come in handy on lions.

I don’t have many. Wish I had 100 of them.

Red Mtn are you talking the mb 550 or the bridger #4

I’m not real sure why no one makes a #3 long spring these days. I have 2 victor #3 longsprings pretty much brand new that will most likely get retrofitted to trap cats. Wished I had more tho

If you want to just paint them that works fine. I wax mine, protects them a little better and speeds them up a bit.

The first year I trapped I was told to just get a couple dozen duke 1 3/4 offset and some chain then go set them. Cats don't fight it very hard. We set them straight out of the box.

That sounds good, I’ll probably just let ‘em rust then boil in sage brush and logwood dye

I’m probably overthinking it more than anything, it just made sense in my mind for bigger traps bigger kill area. Also I like the idea of not having to do more than just sprinkle some fines over the pan and go. It’d keep cost down to just run stock pans without the oversized pans.

Nothing wrong with used. Keep your eyes peeled, old #3 Victors come up for sale quite often. A little TLC and you’ll be rolling.

I’ve got around 200 cat traps. Most are as old, or older than I am!

I bought my first cat traps 20 years ago, a dozen modded bridger #3 coils, and a dozen # 3 and #4 victor double longsprings. they were used when I bought them, and they are still going. In fact many of them are set right now, I’ve made several catches with them this season.

All that to say don’t shy away from dropping some coin on quality traps, and if you can find them used for cheaper that’s even better. If you take care of them they will literally last your entire life.

Don’t worry about the expanse pans. With good guiding you don’t need them. You can guide cats like crazy, unlike coyotes they are not afraid to step in a boxed in spot.

Thanks bob, I’ll definitely keep an eye out for some used so I can try and save some coin. I definitely need to try and find cats more than anything this summer and do some serious scouting. Im also thinking I’m going to use my adc beaver carcasses for bait stations and put trail cams up to see if I can up my odds some.

What about modified jaws on an offset trap are they necessary or do they just add more surface area to keep the animal more comfortable?

Necessary? No. Are they nicer on an animals foot? Yes. Trapping in Nevada I always use laminated offset jaws, center swivelled traps with a bunch of swivels, but that is because of my check schedule. I’m not sure what your laws in Idaho are but here we are required to check once every 96 hours. Because of my work schedule at times I run right up against that 96-hour mark. So I always use traps designed to increase the comfort of trapped animals.

If you’re checking daily, I wouldn’t worry a whole lot about modified jaws. Just make sure they don’t have sharp edges. Some guys like to bubble weld or turn up the jaw ends but I don’t do that to traps. I have some like that but that’s because I bought them that way. Reason is if you don’t modify the jaw tips and add a baseplate, there’s a decent chance a lion can pop the jaws and escape and I’d rather not deal with a lion if I don’t have to.

Glue a piece of roof shingle to the pan and drop a few fines but you can guide them with no issues.

We don’t have the weather y’all have out there, but stock MB550 2 coils regular and offset jaws will both hold a bobcat and even by one toe, lol. Never had an issue with one getting out or missing them.

Anyone got a pic of a trap just on the ground exposed for cats? Guessing you at least have to dig a little something to get the center swiveled chain and swivel down in the deck to get it level and stable.

I caught my PA cat this year in a MB-550 2-coil closed jaw. Had 3 toes and held just fine. 32# Tom.

Usually just grab a little duff or some sticks or pebbles to get the trap stabilized. Here’s some I made the other day, used a fiberglass pan cover just to hold some fines and give a nice looking spot to step







I’ll try to get some more pics next check. The last pic caught a grey fox on the very next check after that photo was taken