Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping
#7966763
10/08/23 02:33 AM
10/08/23 02:33 AM
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Joined: Aug 2023
Ohio
REVOLT1488
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Aug 2023
Ohio
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Gonna share my experience with an offset jaw trap and my subsequent opinion, which is sure to get some people up in arms
Bought a duke #2 OS square jaw from rural king last year, which was a really solidly built trap felt good in the hand, added my usual 5 or so feet of #2 American chain to it and hit the woods, ended up setting it in a high bank trail along a creek as a blind set, chained off to a sapling. Idk how long it sat before it had caught, but when I walked up on it, it was yanked from the trap bed and sitting in a small catch circle with nothing in it. This trail was way too thick and overgrown to be a deer trail, I would bet I had a coon or possum step in it, or mabey even a squirrel or something, but was able to pull right out because of the gap between them jaws. The trap now serves a purpose as an weight on a setline I put out from time to time... and I will not own another offset jaw trap again. I'd imagine it would be great for coyote or fox or large coon, but for me, smaller game makes up the bulk of what I trap. In this fur market I have no reason to put out a huge line and tons of effort into putting up numbers of coyote, fox, large raccoon, etc. I run small strings trapping for meat to keep my grocery bill low. A small coon or possum, or a fat squirrel, or whatever I lost that day, would have made an excellent meal and had I used a regular jaw trap I probably would have had it. When your only running 10-15 sets and one hits but is sitting empty when you come around to check, it kinda sucks. Lots of fellers talking about higher lockup more humane all that, idk my regular jaw traps hold what gets in em and rarely do I ever have damage done to a critter, this trap failed at its job. I don't do much catch and release fishing, I don't want to do much catch and release trapping either. Won't touch another offset jaw trap and I don't understand the appeal of em. You wouldn't crack your door and expect to keep things out, why have a gap in the jaws of a trap and expect to keep things in?
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Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping
[Re: REVOLT1488]
#7966787
10/08/23 06:12 AM
10/08/23 06:12 AM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Eau Claire Wi
Trap Setter
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2014
Eau Claire Wi
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Sorry you had a bad experience, I like my os.
Life sure is tough when you don't learn from the mistakes of others.
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Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping
[Re: learch]
#7966823
10/08/23 07:41 AM
10/08/23 07:41 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Midland, MI.
Seldom
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2007
Midland, MI.
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Offset or not a two sized foothold is a lot of trap for a coon. Use the correct size hardware for your target critter and you should not have any problem. This^^^^. Tapered legs and offset jaws are a formula for pullouts!
"A few want to know WHY, the majority appear to be satisfied just knowing HOW!" Youtube Channel- SeldomFales
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Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping
[Re: REVOLT1488]
#7966877
10/08/23 09:21 AM
10/08/23 09:21 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Worthington, IN
Scott T
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Worthington, IN
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A 1.5 Duke is a good coon trap. I like to stake mine and keep them away from anything they can use for leverage.
Looks like he needs another year;-)
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Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping
[Re: REVOLT1488]
#7966938
10/08/23 11:13 AM
10/08/23 11:13 AM
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Joined: Jun 2008
el vado, nm
Tom Fisher
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jun 2008
el vado, nm
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A long time ago I removed the pads from some #3 Soft Catch, welded a lamination on them, added a shock spring. I staked some and dragged some. The staked traps held Grey Fox,coons,cats and a couple porkys, the ones with the drags were wound up past the shock spring and empty. The offset is 5/16 on these traps, there is something else going on with your loses, if I was targeting coon, possums etc. my choice would be an 11.
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Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping
[Re: REVOLT1488]
#7967005
10/08/23 01:02 PM
10/08/23 01:02 PM
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Joined: Feb 2023
South Louisiana
Trappeur Gunny
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2023
South Louisiana
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"Bought a duke #2 OS square jaw from rural king last year, which was a really solidly built trap felt good in the hand, added my usual 5 or so feet of #2 American chain to it and hit the woods, ended up setting it in a high bank trail along a creek as a blind set, chained off to a sapling."
That sentence says it all. #2 OS, 5 foot of #2 chain and chained to a sapling. You are lucky you found your trap.
Last edited by Trappeur Gunny; 10/08/23 01:03 PM.
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Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping
[Re: Yes sir]
#7967082
10/08/23 04:10 PM
10/08/23 04:10 PM
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Joined: Oct 2019
Custer Co, Idaho
sneaky
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2019
Custer Co, Idaho
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Trap didn't fail, you just picked the wrong trap for your intended job. Duke #2 OS is not a small coon, possum, squirrel or rabbit trap Exactly. It's like setting a 330 for mink and wondering why they aren't working.
Sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand
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Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping
[Re: REVOLT1488]
#7967088
10/08/23 04:18 PM
10/08/23 04:18 PM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Tennessee
Scuba1
"color blind Kraut"
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"color blind Kraut"
Joined: Jun 2007
Tennessee
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Catch and release ..... is that not called the "Brandon set " ???
Let's go Brandon
"Shall not comply" with morons who don't understand "shall not infringe."
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Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping
[Re: Yotegiter]
#7967134
10/08/23 05:52 PM
10/08/23 05:52 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Henderson, N.Y. Jefferson Co.
walleyed
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2010
Henderson, N.Y. Jefferson Co.
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If it’s meat your after get some DPs If it's meat he's after he should forget trapping & head for the grocery store and see the butcher !!!!!  w
"Provisional/Interim" member of NYSTA
"I Support Non-Resident Trapping"
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Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping
[Re: REVOLT1488]
#7967209
10/08/23 06:59 PM
10/08/23 06:59 PM
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Joined: Jul 2016
SD
TC1
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2016
SD
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Season open there already?
Thread snitch non reporter #2
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Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping
[Re: REVOLT1488]
#7967357
10/08/23 09:04 PM
10/08/23 09:04 PM
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Joined: Dec 2020
Wisconsin
Scott__aR
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2020
Wisconsin
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Use equipment you have confidence in and performs for your style of trapping. When going for new equipment, select target species specific sized equipment.
Megapredator ... top of the food chain! Member of WTA Member of U.P. Trappers Member of NTA Member of FTA
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