Saw this fur-fish-game article by Tom Parr. Very interesting.
Anyone have some old 1950's conibears. Would love to see them if you do.
What an impact that design had on trapping.

probably lots kicking around in peoples grandfathers fur sheds but most probably have been converted to newer style dogs which are easy to install

Lots of gimmicks come and go but this was a true addition to the trapping world.

My grandfather introduced me to the conibear trap back in the 60s he set a 330 with hamburger for bait on a piece of plywood at our deer camp and caught a bobcat. I don’t think they had the 330 rules we have today back then, not legal in many places on land so I’m not recommending such a set.

A true visionary. That device changed trapping. Sure glad Frank was open minded.

As a kid in the late 50’s I used to save my lawn mowing money for traps. Then go to the local hardware store, Blake & Lamb. Once I picked up kind of square trap, told my dad I wanted to buy one. My father said “it’s a gimmick and won’t last”. Darn!

Scot Dahms wrote an entire book on Mr.Conibear....check it very interesting the process it went through.

I believe if the conibear was around in the 1840s Beaver would be extinct

Thanks for sharing TD!
I don’t think I got any of those kickin around.

Probably not very many sold in the states due to the "gimmick" rap and lack of knowledge on proper use

For quite a few years bodygrippers (conibears) were the only trap I used for beaver. I finally went back to adding footholds to the arsenal when I started to get “square” shy beaver and otters mocking my trapping efforts.

The 330 has made a lot of new trappers “beaver trappers” in a short time it cuts the learning curve a bit simpler than foot hold that need more attention when placed.

Hard to fathom that no one has come up with a better design in all these years since.