Thanks for all your help and ideas!! Ill let you know my progress, I plan on setting my first sets this coming weekend!

I probably do it all wrong.. but I clean them real good and spray paint mine..

Bob, I think the max jaw spread in VA is 6 1/2 inches. Not sure what the spread is on a duke #4. I don’t use anything that big for land trapping.

What’s did you get for trap fastening? Show or tell us in detail and maybe we can save you some trouble. You don’t want Mr Coyote running off with one of your new traps.

PM me I will give you a number to call. to many things for a short post.

Website says 6 1/2" so he may be okay then.

it may be legal, but it may not be (depending on location/circumstances) a preferable choice.

that's a BIG trap where raccoons, possums and domestics may be caught.

only reason I mention it is: using too big of a trap may turn him off to trapping, or cause other issues...a # 2 will hold coyotes,

Like stated a number 2 size trap for predators is plenty of trap for any land furbearer. The 550 size trap is good all around land trap for most folks. Forget the large traps and the 4 coil traps they aren't needed.

Bigger and stronger is not needed, particularly in your part of the country. Learn how to guide and direct your target animal where you would like it to step. This kind of muscle memory for your set making will come with practice, be patient.

Not throwing this at the new guy , but its what the new guys see and hear , you need sent control , a big trap with big pans thats all they know now days . no bodies teaching simple trapping. its kinda getting like deer hunting nobody wants to learn the basic stuff.