Im new to trapping as an adult. Haven't trapped since middle school and back then I didnt do much of it. So alot is still new to me. I'm in Middle TN and so far have 6 duke 550 os and 6 duke dp. My main target is coon, skunk, fox, Bobcats and coyotes. I am wanting to order more before I prep the 550 and dye them. Should I buy more 550 and dog proofs or should I buy a something smaller and a better all around trap than the 550? Im just not sure if the 550 would catch any of the small fur bearers like skunk, fox and Bobcats. I should also mention that I am wanting a trap that doesn't need any modifications to be legal in the state of Tennessee. Thanks in advance.

I don’t know your laws, but the Duke 550’s are a good trap I have caught all of those species in them. I have done the same with the Duke 450’x closed jaw. Those seem small for cats but they do work. I prefer the 450’s if grey fox are around, the 550’s are hard on those little guys.

wws

My understanding is jaw has to be 7 " or less and thickness has to be 1/4" at least. Is there a notable difference between the full jaw and offset jaw with critter retainment? Are you more apt to toe catch with an offset vs full jaw? Also yes we seem to have a population of gray fox as well as redfox in the area.
Here is their exact verbage on legal traps in TN:
For ground sets, a trapper may use cushion-hold traps, laminated jaw traps, offset wide jaw traps, offset laminated jaw traps, and wide jaw traps with an exterior jaw measurement of seven (7) inches or less measured at the hinge point and with a minimum jaw thickness of one-fourth (1/4) of an inch. For ground sets, a trapper may also use double-jaw traps with an exterior jaw measurement of seven (7) inches or less of the upper and lower jaws combined and a minimum jaw thickness of one-fourth (1/4) of an inch. For water sets, a trapper may use cushion-hold traps, laminated jaw traps, offset wide jaw traps, offset laminated jaw traps, and wide jaw traps with an exterior jaw measurement of nine (9) inches or less measured at the hinge point. For water sets, a trapper may also use double jaw traps with an exterior jaw measurement of nine (9) inches or less of the upper and lower jaws combined

i think the 550 would be the perfect size trap you are looking for the 450 would be perfect for fox and coon but generally to small for cats and coyotes but would work where the 650 is perfect for cats ans coyotes but a little big for fox and coons