I think we all would agree that making a dry land-set with a 220 Body Grip, let’s say a trail set with no enclosed recess or 15” setback would be considered illegal.
The new regulation would allow you to make the same set on dry land with a 220 RBG because the total square inches of a 7.5” circle equals 44.185”.
Am I interpreting this correctly?

I know nothing of your laws but mama was an English teacher. I believe that page you posted says yes you would be legal.

But it looks like they want you to measure outside to outside at the widest possible point, as per the diagram of the belisle, not the inside opening. So if an RBG 220 is 7.5 outside diameter then you should be good.

Yeah thats how I read it. Ordered a few, should be here tomorrow

What exactly are the measurements on a Bridger 220? Or any typical 220?
I currently don’t have any of them, and everything lists them as 7x7. I know they measure more than that at there widest point, but I’m curious if anyone knows the exact measurement.

A standard set Duke 220 is 7.75” wide x 7.5” high with a total of = 58.125 sq in. and thus subject to the 50 sq in ground set requirements.

The regs state that a trap lesser than or equal to 60 square inches is legal for a trail set without an enclosure. This would include most square 7x7 220s and 8” round body grips. I’m not seeing where you’re getting 50”.

Are you measuring that 7 like the book shows? To the OUTSIDE of the jaws? And peaks of the corner humps?

I’m clarifying that the regs state 60 inches, not 50. As far as the actual measurements of the trap I’m going off of memory and the above mentioned Duke 220 measurements. I’ll measure a Bridger 220 when I’m out of my deer blind if I can find one and get back to you. Any 220 which exceeds 60” square obviously would not be legal for an unenclosed trail set. I just wanted to clarify that the regs state 60” since OP said 50”.

North, sorry for misunderstanding, you are correct as far as I can read it. An enclosure can only have a 50 sq. in. opening.

Don't forget the max. vertical measurement (7.5 inches) when set. And the sq. in. measurement, according to the diagram, is an UNset trap.

Confused yet?

Why push it? Unprotected 220s on the ground is just asking for trouble.

I think you’re overthinking it. A square trap isn’t going to change much in height set vs unset (if anything it is slightly shorter when set). The corner to corner measurement is the same set or unset. The regs just want the trap to conform both to a max total square inches and a max height.

This is a valid point. Personally I’ve never done it. The DNR has a pamphlet covering responsible body grip use

DNR responsible body grip pamphlet

Quoted from pamphlet

“220 body-grip trap - body-grip series that commonly measures between 60 and 75 square inches. BE SURE TO MEASURE!!”

Here’s a prop- let’s pretend this otter float is a fisher cubby or dry land cross-over or whatever. I interpret current regulations to state that pic #1 is a legal set with the RBG. Pic # 2 would not be legal because the trap is 58.125” and would require an enclosure with a 15” set-back. To me- words matter and I’d like to be in a position of certainty.

If #2 measures 58.125” then it would be legal because the regs specify 60”

Unless the set trap measures over 7.5 vertical, which I believe it does when set. Due to the bumps in the corners.

I had a chance to measure both Duke and Bridger 220s and when measuring from bump to bump on the outside of the jaws they do slightly exceed 60” square (I’m getting about 62, Duke is slightly smaller). So, looks like those are a no go for trail sets. So, sorry for the confusion. It IS correct that the correct square inches is 60, but those common 220 sizes DO NOT conform. Your 8” RBG should be good based on my reading of the regs.

Actually, you still would need a 7.5” or less height measurement for a round body grip to be legal, regardless of square inches. So, you need to measure that as well. Now I AM confused…

I received the 7" RBGs today and it looks like a go to me. But what say you?



Unset widest points of the jaws.


Vertical set measurements.


Close up of vertical set measurement.

I think I will be talking to the warden before setting these on dry land.

That's what I would do.

Looks right on the money to me! When it’s set you lose just enough height to conform to the height requirements. Good thing that’s specified in the regs.