I wondering the same thing as Hippie. I'm glad there is still some common sense left in that state. I suspect the state game guys out on the eastern plains just shake their heads at the idiot bunny huggers living in the urban corridor of the Front Range. I hope more of their precious little pets get eaten by yotes, bcats, and lions...

P.S. That was veteran old howler. I suspect it it would have a soul, it would have been honored to go the way it did. You counted coup on a tough one!!

Double stake will chest nut rings. Last a lot longer and stand up to repeated use.

https://www.minntrapprod.com/images/jcring-12-02.JPG

Thanks for the links gentlemen! I will be getting set up to double stake in the sand for peace of mind. As cool as this story worked out, I'd prefer not to have to track down dog and trap again too soon. I doubt I'm lucky enough to make it happen twice!

We've still got plenty of good coyotes out here on the plains, can't say the same for the deer anymore unfortunately. Mange #'s seem to be down a little here too which is encouraging. My local warden is a total sportsman and the best I've ever dealt with. Colorado is definitely going in the wrong direction with their wildlife management plans, I'm just glad the ban on cat hunting didn't pass this year.

That ol boy definitely has my admiration and respect, tough as a boot with no quit in him, only hope I can be the same way!

Add a extra swivel to your chain end. If you want a swivel close to the stake add that too.

you don't need castle nuts just a plain nut , leave the rebar a 1/4 to 3/8 proud of the nut and it will peen over then you are driving the stake not the nut

so the weld only holds pulling pressure not pounding pressure , much less stress on the weld

I don't even weld mine , I slip the nut on leave 3/8 inch proud and hammer the nut down on the anvil the nut crushes a bit grabs the rebar then while driving the stake the rebar peens over making that nut so it will never come off

I use two 18 inch stakes even on racoon
20-24s if in very loose sand
you have to pull stakes 1 at a time or you will be getting your hernia surgery , when you bust a gut.
I use the claw on my hammer with the notch opened up to grab the rebar below the nut
with the holding power of double stakes you will open up a HD J-hook before you get them out in most cases , you could tack those shut but they are strong as is.

set for a mouse stake for an elephant