Just curious why the screen pan covers are all cut to mimic the pan and not the entire area inside the jaws?

Also when blending in, how much do you cover the trap with? I had a few misfires this week and I am trying to identify the cause.

check your mail box.

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Screen should cover inside area of jaws.

Herb, what type of screen are you using? Also, I don’t see any jagged edges on the screen in which I always get when I cut the wire screen.

What are you calling a misfire and what are you targeting ?

Looks like window screen. I'd say he uses a pattern/punch type deal...someone on here has a slick way to mold those screens with a plywood pattern.

I was super confident in a set coming off a log and second night it was set off. Slight sign of disturbance but no animal or fur.
It was pulled to the side as well.
I am targeting coyote/fox but wouldn't have been surprised if it was a bobcat, fisher or coon where it was.
Pretty sure it wasn't a deer because of where it was in relation to bank of the stream and the log.

I bedded right in the end of the log using the rotted debris (essentially damp dirt).
It was cold enough to freeze so maybe that was the issue.

When using screen I cut it and tuck under the jaws. I also only use screen when in grass and it’s gonna rain for days.
In an area like you’re describing I use poly under the pan and just cover with whatever is around.

Heavy aluminum screen found in dumpster. As ridged as any sold from trapper suppliers.



BINGO!
wetdog (member here) made me a plywood mold.

If you think freezing temps might have been the cause, I would say the first thing you need to address is pan tension. How much are you running ? 3 or 4 pounds is not to much for any of the critters mentioned and you will eliminate scores of other problems by doing so .

Every year I say I'm gonna make one for each trap I use...and EVERY year, I don't, go figure lol.

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/6499683/all/screen-pan-covers-another-way
This is from the archives.

I just run mb 550 or alpha 2 out of the box.

Don't have a ton of time to trap so just trying to do as much as I can.

Most of my coyote traps are MB 550. However, I just purchased two Alpha 2 traps to try them out. I like them and I will be purchasing more.

Hey if you remember ted shoot me a text 8104986775

Hey if you remember ted shoot me a text 8104986775