What would be your take on the definition of jaw spread on a body grip trap. Here in Missouri we are limited to 5" on dry land as stated here:

(3) Use of Conibear® or Other Killing-Type Traps. (A) No Conibear® or other killing-type traps with a jaw spread greater than five inches (5") shall be used in any dry land set. (B) Conibear® or other killing-type traps with a jaw spread not greater than eight inches (8") may be set six feet (6') or more above ground level in buildings. (C) Conibear® or other killing-type traps of any size may be set under water. Conibear® or other killing-type traps having no food, scent, or visual lure placed within one foot (1') of the trap may be partially exposed above water provided the hinges are fully submerged.

Full Trapping code here: https://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/current/3csr/3csr

Just curious if these traps would qualify for dry land. Or would there be zero advantage to these. I'm thinking trail sets in and out of a small rocky creek. Its a 5x7 body grip.

https://www.wildlifecontrolsupplies.com/animal/WCSBG57.html


Thoughts.......

Guess you're at the mercy of the game warden the way I read your rules. I. Ohio, the jaw spread is measured in the set position from the inside of the trigger jaw to the inside of the opposite jaw. We've been using 5x7s for years thanks to fellow TMan member Ack.

I thought 5 x 5 was max in Ohio.....what number is 5 x 7 in a belisle ..........I learned some things off your coyote video....thanks

5" is indeed the max on land...vertically. you can make a trap a mile wide as long as the measurement from the dog to opposite jaw is under 5" . Same thing with footholds, you can make one a mile wide jaw tip to jaw tip as long as you keep the measurement across the dog under 6

Thought you didn’t use conibears and footholds? Belisle dosnt make 5x7s, WCS does

People asked this type of questions in Iowa enough that the DNR defined the way you have to measure them and that took away the use of several body-grippers that were being used. Some questions are best left un-asked.