Need some help guys. It happened to me 2-3-4 times last year, and had it happened for the third time already this year. 9x11x24 Comstock double door, set for groundhogs with a nose cone, tripped with nothing in it. I don't run cameras, so I can't look at that. Has anyone else experienced this? In my opinion, the wires rotate PLENTY, maybe too much. I think that could be shortened a little to quicken the trap. Thanks, appreciate the help.

Call jimmy C….

Is this happening with 1 trap or with multiple traps? If it’s 1 trap, there’s always a chance that there’s something wrong with that trap, multiple traps, it’s probably user error or the trap was tampered with. Was there any sign an animal was in it? Fresh scat? Hair? It’s rare, but I’ve had a few instances where an animal was freed by a 2 legged animal.



Assuming it’s happening with multiple traps. If it is the trigger mechanism/wires malfunctioning, like an animal pushed through, the trap would not be tripped. We should be able to rule that assembly out by your description of the issue.

The hooks on the doors that latch onto the rod that goes to the trigger mechanism could slip off if it wasn’t pushed on far enough or slipped off. I suppose it’s possible for it to be welded at an angle that might make it easier to slip off too. The energy in the spring going off on one side might be enough to pop the other side.

Are the springs functioning correctly to quickly close the door and latch it shut? Maybe friction is slowing them down from rough use/weather?


Lastly, it’s possible that the animal escaped. I haven’t seen it with woodchucks, but saw a raccoon reach over the top of the door, grab the spring loaded bar, and start to pull it on an older trap. I understand this issue has been solved with newer traps, and I can’t imagine that a woodchuck could do this. But in some areas raccoons nest in the ground. It’s pretty rare here though.

Do you have the newer style with the posts that hold the wires? Or the old one with the “V” shaped wires that clip on the swing bar? If the new style, take needle nose pliers and slightly
Bend the trigger wires before installation to increase the tension. That will make them less likely to slip off.

Also I’ve heard guys use a little Hercules putty to hold them in place on the posts.

I occasionally have the same problem. Doesn’t happen that much but the chucks will knock them off and sometimes come and go a few times without firing the trap. Makes trapping them easy though once you re set, because they’re used to running through it

I did that last year, he didn't have an answer. I think he was a little skeptical that it was probably operator error. Last year I caught exactly 60 groundhogs, 55 out of Comstocks, so I do know they're a great trap.

Jim always talks about "pan avoidance" with traditional live traps while trying to sell his, which I can appreciate, however, I question if critters sometimes shy away from two, bright, shiny wires. If the wire was annealed, it would be less conspicuous and not as rigid, giving it less memory and a better chance of staying in place. Maybe it's too soft for that application.

In Iowa we can set 220's on the ground. Although I've caught many, many coon in them, I've had plenty blow right over the top, or around them. They are either being forced into something too small, or they see two wires hanging down and decide to avoid them. I'm going turkey hunting in a couple days, I don't deliberately walk into tree branches if I see them. Lol

Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it!

On rare occasion, I have had chipmunks do that. Often, those chippys are able to somehow escape. Never had a groundhog do that. Even if someone modified the wires somehow, it still doesn't explain a fired trap with no critter in it. If the trap fired then the wires did their job. Another possible issue could be coon or something monkeying with the trap from the outside and firing it. I can tell you that there is no substitute for cameras when nuisance trapping. Then the mystery is over.

Sir, This may not be of any help, however, last year I had the exact thing twice with the same trap, same location. On the second time, my customer called after I had left to advise that the PETA neighbor was seen releasing the animals. I reset, put up a camera and provided the local Wildlife Officer with the information. He spoke to the young lady, and I started catching groundhogs again.

I just missed 2 catches with the 30 inch Comstock. I believe that the animal triggers the trap with their nose or paw and their back end isn't in the trap and the back out. Just saw a video of this recently. I don't have this problem with the 36 inch trap

I don’t like the new triggers. I like the originals, and I like the Gen 2 triggers. They don’t fall out of the trap.

Thanks for the post. I kept thinking I can't be the only one experiencing this. My theory is along the same lines. We have more coon than ticks around here. I believe it's coon walking into the trap, they see the wire, grab it with their paw and back out. IMO, the bar that holds the wires rotates too much, giving them a few more inches to back up before the trap fires. With a 24" trap, the coon only has 12" to the wire, leaving (at least) half of him out of the trap when he grabs the wire and starts to back up.

Coon are very "grabby" with their paws, I would think groundhogs have the same dexterity or curiosity to do the same. I know guys catch a lot of hogs with 18" traps, so I don't want to believe it's hogs doing it with a 24" trap, but maybe.

I don't want to start grinding on a $175.00 trap, but have any of you tinkered with the vertical bar and shaved a little off the top to shorter the rotation? I have also started to add food grade wax to the top of the vertical bar where it engages with the horizontal bar to quicken the action. Thanks again!

30” traps work for coon, Jim recommends 36. 30” is the most versatile size.

I like 24s for chucks. 18s are too short imo. I really don’t like explaining why the animal got caught by the door coming down.

It’s always a compromise with what fits easiest in the truck.