Years ago North woods had shock springs on their 1 3\4 traps that would have expanded. I don't know if a fox could have pulled hard enough for them to work. I quit using the trap because it was just that much more to bed when making a set.

I installed them on a dozen Extremes this year. I’ll be taking them off for next season. I lost two of those new traps. I have never lost a trap before and I don’t totally believe the losses were directly caused by the springs, but a combination of longer chain and unwelded j hooks. I did eventually snare one of the yotes and tracked another for a couple miles in the snow before loosing track of it.

I have a couple dozen shock springs on traps, but I have a bunch more dozens without. My live market set up is normally swivel, 2 links of chain, swivel, 2 links of chain, swivel, anchor. I’ve noticed that on traps with shock springs I have less cutting. The cutting that I do have without springs is always a tiny cut, but sometimes depending on weather and the coyote they will sit and fester or the coyote will lick to open it up and then it becomes a problem. So I shoot for no cutting. I bought a bunch of rubber jaws this year and they seem to help tremendously with that little cut, but time in trap is probably number one still.

The guy I bought a bunch of the rubber jaws from likes a chain that just consists of 2-3 swivels attached together. Pretty sure he’s caught more canines than most in my area using that setup

PWC , yes earth anchor.

wws

What is short chain? Mine are 30 inches with 3 swivels and I think its a really good setup.

With a short chain they have no leverage. Short chain generally just means the stock chain that comes on the trap with maybe an extra swivel added in the middle. The only “long” chains I have are on my drag setups.

Short chain in NC is defined as 8" max. from trap to solid anchor. Anything longer requires a shock spring for any foothold land sets. So we either have to shorten stock chains or add shock springs to be legal.

I tend to prefer the shock springs on my long chain setups ( 30” + ) , but I can’t imagine trying to bed a trap with a short chain and a shock spring.

Shock springs are a plus on any trap chain. Have even used them on my beaver & otter traps with drowners

Most chains on my coyote/bcat footholds are 12" to 15". Most still have a PIT or a Connor in-line spring...that I haven’t removed yet.

What problem on the trapline are the shock springs addressing for you?

MOST people have never had to hold aniamals for days. With extended check times OR places with long check times. A shock spring on a fighting bad Coyote is a good thing. Or you may find just a food in a trap IF you get a true trap fighter. Catch 500 plus a year and see IF a shock spring doesn’t make a difference! I run 4 JC Conner swivels and a shock spring on my MJ 600s

Not really a problem but once in a great while you may get a toe catch leading to an empty trap at the drowning weight.
I experimented one year adding shock springs to maybe not loose that rare toe catch.
Have added the shock springs ever since just for added insurance. Just something i usually do

An empty trap can also be from a chest hair catch. Nothing can save those though if that is to happen.

On a short chain setup I see no benefit to the shock springs. If anything, they’re a pain in the butt in the trap bed.

I do have some of my long chain rigs setup with them. I’m mostly worried about maintaining a hold on poorly caught coyotes.

Jurys still out on how much it helps.

I was told on here that to be more humane, I was supposed to add chain until thay were atleast 20 inches. I do that and now they say don't. Longer chains have the advantage of the coyote not being able to pump up the stake.

In Oregon we have a 48 hour check rule. I run earth anchors, I like that the coyotes are pulling to the side rather than up on those. I run a rod swivel 6 links of chain and a rod swivel to my spring, rod swivel to six more links, maybe 16/18 inches total. 16 inch earth anchors. If I trap in central Oregon the ground is solid pumice they still hold.

wws

Just because you read it on here doesn't make it correct. Just think about how much we disagree on different topics. Someone has to be wrong and someone has to be right. I've learned through experience which guys I chose to listen to on here. If your using single stakes instead of cross stakes or earth anchors longer chains are an advantage. As far as being more humane I'd say that's debatable.

Shock springs certainly aren't necessary but I like them and have them on all of my rigs.

They might make it a little easier on the animal but they definitely cushion the lunge and help with stake pumping. JCs springs have a 75 pound pull, so they take 75 pounds of pressure off that trap and stake every time the animal lunges.