Whats everyone's favorite method for securing DPs? I only run a couple dozen. The past couple of seasons I've used 10' extension cables and quick links. I like the light weight and speed, but they're usually a mess after the first coon and sometimes starting to fray after a few. Not to mention the risk of them wrapping up and pulling out.

I've been thinking about switching to some kind of stake. Can't decide between just using a T-bar thru the last swivel or trying pogos or some other disposable stake. For anyone using T-bars, how long do you use?

Thanks

I use 18 to 24 inch rebar, crossed if necessary. All depending on soil type.

I use rebar 18" and Berkshires with quick links. Both hold fine, but the cable setup is nice that I can leave my cables in the ground and pull traps as I normally can only trap the weekends. I used cables wrapped around things a few times but they get destroyed. Guy I bring furs too showed me a chain setup he uses instead of cable. Made up half dozen to try next year. 36" of #2 chain and s hook a loop at one end quick link on the other.

18" and 24" rebar for the most part. Stake clear of entanglement and what you catch should be waiting for you. There are times when stakes just will not hold on sandy bottoms or rotten creek banks so I use extension cables to something solid but they create a new set of problems. Either entanglement or leverage where the spring gets against something solid and allows the critter to apply enough leverage to self release. Crisscross double stake may be a better solution but I only have single stake terminal ends on my DPs.

24" 3/8" nut top stakes work great in our soil. Easy to move regularly, which is important with DPs IMO. Move them ever 3-4 days to new untapped locations.

7x7 cable wrapped to whatever is close by an will hold

Here In pa I just let my traps sit for the couple weeks I run everytrap usually connects atleats once with enough time I think the key is always making new sets blind sets pocket sets fill in spots been many times I wouldn't have caught a thing if I didn't set new sets the day before

2' earth anchors.

18-24” rebar. I weld a washer and a nut with a stake swivel between them. Not necessarily needed, but it works for me. As long as I kee them away from things they can climb they are fine. If using where they can get vertical leverage, like a tree, then earth anchor or cable off.

I lost a trap once and found it by getting smacked in the head with hanging rebar. Coon was gone as well.

I can post a picture of the setup if you like it!

24 inch t bar

I use about a 4ft piece of cable with a loop big enough for the DP to pass through on either end. Some are quick linked off to the cable then pass around the tree and run the DP through the loop. Some are just passed through the swivel and then looped around the cable then the other end just as mentioned above.
These same cables have been working for the last 6 years or so. I’ve had them so tangled up I almost considered cutting them, but patience prevailed and I untangle the mess and reset. I have yet to have a coon pull out.
Some of mine I’ll just use an earth anchor beat in the deck just far enough a coon can’t pull it out. There’s no need to go more than 6-8” in clay or farther than 10-12” in regular dirt. They ain’t pumping it and they ain’t badgers.

I’ve seen some with 6-10’ of dog chain basically. Be a bit on an initial investment, but I guess it would work if you always cabled off.

11 gauge wire wrapped loosely around a tree so it can move and the wire won’t kink.

I use 1/19 3/32” cable and it don’t kink up too bad.

Its easy to spot the guys who are only running a few DPs on this thread. If you were running 200 of them with all that cable... what a tangled mess and time consuming getting and keeping them straightened out. You all must have very hard ground to anchor in.

I hated cable stakes. They worked great at keeping the trap in place but to pull them and move often, they sucked bad. 50-60 traps a day pulled and moved some days = no fun with cable stakes in our ground.

I see one guy likes T-top stakes, I didn't. They get caught on the chain and trap and spin in the ground and get loose or pulled up slightly and easy to get the trap hung on and stop the ever important swiveling. If it works in your soil go for it though.

I sure wouldn't ever trust wire to anchor a DP.

I love running t bars, I especially liked the smooth rod for them. It worked great for me and was easy enough to pull for me but the coons could never get it out. To this day, I still haven't had a coon get loose with a t bar stake. This year though, I'm going to run more earth anchors since I have so many and I need to thin down on some random ones I have. The stakes are about 18-24" and a 6" or so T on top and if I couldn't get it out, I would use the shovel end of my hammer to turn it a few times, and then I could usually get it out. I was running them in the frozen ground earlier this winter and only had to stack up some 2x8s to get some leverage before I got them out, but I did get them all.

My setup. I use a flat stake swivel with a 3/8” x 24” rebar stake. Stake has nut and washer welded on

ADC is Sooooooo correct. I started with stakes in 2001, went to cable in 2003 and then back to stakes and then just keep experimenting. With our soil, nut and washer stakes work the best dryland (pull and reset). Modified IDS conduit, pogo, or flat anchor w/chain, works for water where pulling is lighter/easier (on a river line)................. the mike

ADC and wife, y’all need a 20v drill and auger bit. I can pull faster than I can set, lol. Drill beside the anchor and pull up, then on your way to the next. The deal is knowing your dirt…if clay don’t go deep so it’s easier to get out. Ain’t lost a trap yet to a coon.

I haven't lost any either Wanna Be and I don't have to carry and charge a drill. Just turn the trap sideways and use it as a T to pull the stakes right out. I'm not planning to switch anytime soon. However, if you need cable stakes in your area the drill tip is a good one.