What is your favorite brand of trap for trapping public ground? Public land often equals greater theft so I am looking for the best of the less expensive brands? Considering a line on public ground next season.

duke #3. i file a short latch and use as is

I use mb550s and fully modified #3 bridgers. 100% of my line is public land

Used traps. I prefer Montgomery, Victor, and Sleepy Creek. Whichever I can find a great deal on. Nice American made traps and cheaper than new foreign ones. Trap Shed is your friend.

I quit public land land trapping but if I did it would be good used traps like bhugo said^^^

Duke #1.5 laminated is hard to beat

I use dukes on public land if they get stolen no big deal. The 550 go on private land.

Dukes and Bridgers. 1 1/2 to 3’s

... I ran 1 3/4 bridger offsets when I trapped public land

Set your traps like the Pink Panther would, Sneaky!!! Out of sight, Out of Mind!!!

This is what I do. I pass up a lot of good locations because a catch can be seen from the road.

MB 550s

i used duke only have yet to find a coyote that they cant hold

I just use my 550s don't really have any trouble with theft but it's all part of the game i know I would never pass up a good location bc I thought maybe it might get stolen

Thanks. My main target will be bobcat .

X2

I trap all public land, and I use bridger #2's and MB 550's. I also use earth anchors on a chain, so if they want to steal them they got their work cut out for them.

I wouldn't be afraid of using Duke traps. Caught many coyote in there #2 coil spring. Just take the time to get them tuned. You will be fine.

I have not trapped much public ground for dryland canines or coons but trap a lot of public water for rats and have not had issues and my traps and stakes are very easily seen so that I can find them all. I use the same 1 Vicotor Stoploss where ever I set and those would be the higher end rat traps

When it comes to public versue private for say canines I guess I don't see the rationale for down grading that much between them. The stakes, lures, baits, trucks, gas, miles etc. are all the same so if one chooses a top shelf trap for private ground then to me a more budget priced trap in the whole spectrum of things is not that big of a deal. If the more expensive traps are in private areas then the setter must feel that the fur potential in the public set areas must be of lesser value or is willing to lose more. I have never owned what many call more expensive traps or highly modified traps so I don't know the performance difference between say a 1.75 versus a 550 or a #3 lower budget and the more specialized larger traps. Being less likely to spend a lot of money on traps I would buy what I feel is the best trap for the money and use it in all situations.

Bryce

... I’ve trapped a lot of cats on public land J... i basically live right in the middle of it.... wait till deer season is over and stick to dim roads through thickets ... cats will be crapping and scratching on them if they’re there.... takes a little footwork but can pay off ... I had very little theft and the few times I did it was dog runners


.... big public land tom in bridger 1 3/4 offset... cheap trap ready to go out of the box for the most part that will hold



... some fur mostly from public and with 1 3/4 bridgers... have to park and walk in to most trap locations... I’d only set hot sign with no more than a dozen or so sets out a time... scout catch...pull and move to new sign