Nothing compared to the hunting nonsense.

For me demagnetizing traps is a big one...Caps, hulls, squeekers, etc might not officially meet the definition of a gimmick, but they never stood the test of legit efficiency for me.

What was the black trappers cap for?

Wasnt the father of this site's owner a proponent of trappers caps?

Trapper cap was a device that allowed you to pack dirt inside the jaws without setting off the trap.

I don't know that he did. I know that there was none in all his stuff I went through after his death, so he didn't own any.

I can remember a Vienna Sausage can with a stick handle fabricated to the bottom of the can. A notch was cut out on the side of the can for the dog end of the trap. Early trappers cap and home made. I don't recall where I seen this but it may have been in the old Trapper newspaper in the 1980's

Glow lure, according to some on here.

They were in his Land Sets and Techniques book. cant remember if it was the black plastic ones or not, id have to look again later

I don't know... some of these gimmicks seem to be around today....
"night latch and the Miles gun notch" ....one was made into a very popular Paws- I - Trip system a very popular system found in several traps made today.
Trap setters for both coil springs and body gripping traps...another very popular tool used by most trappers. Trapping hammers...heavier design and with digging blades,
Disposable stakes and drivers...these go back to the early '50s, Trapping dyes and dips... again back to the early 1960's. etc...
I think so called "gimmicks" are just some trappers trying to figure out an easier way to do things either to make things go faster, easier and regarding lure urine and bait application...less messy.
I do agree there were the fast buck artists back in the day on SOME gimmicks but as you can see some had merit and we use them today.
Just my take....

Anyone remember those full page adds in T&PC from Barkers Trapline Tools?

Yep...some decent stuff there too

I could never put the trappers cap in a gimmick category, i see it as a teaching tool i have seen it give alot of guys and gals confidence to reach in there and bed that trap in good one of the most important parts at setting a trap . just the way i see it.

I see a difference between "crutch" and "gimmick".

Paw print stamps, spinnerbaits, glow in the dark glitter lure = gimmick

Trapper caps, bedding tools, whisk brooms = crutch


To each their own. Whatever gets you in the woods.

That's a great break down, IMO Rusty Axe Camp.

Apples and oranges to 500 dallor videos plastic track makers synthetic bones and plastic turds
What you listed had a need and a use to better a industry

Wasnt put out thete to make a quick buck

The picture is of old Halitosis Sullivan.

Keith

I don't make a coyote set without using my homemade cookie cutter sized to fit an MB550 and compatible trap pan cap. Much easier to make a bed and bed trap using these with my 75 year old hands that don't bend like they used to. Same reason I use a setter for all my bigger bodygrips and 5# footholds. I just consider myself lucky to be able to trap at my age even if I have to use a "gimmick".

You wanna see gimmicks, the archery industry the last 45 years.

Although most trappers are frugal, we're always quick to buy something new and give it a try. On a rare occasion a new product comes out and is a game changer to the industry...for example, Lee Steinmeyer's Death Ray.