which one would y'all get? I'm trapping yotes and bobcats. there is a two dollar difference between the two where I'm getting them from. the dogless is more expensive.

also offset vs laminated vs reg jaws


for yotes and bobcats. but also some 1s or 1 1/2s for coons

I like dogless personally. There is one less thing for a coyote bend and/or break. And you do get a little more step coverage. I have not seen much difference in the different types of jaws. Laminated and offset is nice, but I just haven't seen a difference yet.

thanks

Without make model and year you are going to get answers
from those that never used them. Even then opinion, experience,
and popularity cloud the truth.
Try some of each is the true test.

I like dogless as its a pain to bend the dogs back into position, as fro offset vs plain jaws I haven't noticed a difference but i am not a huge number of coyotes guy.

New traps??? Dogless vs dog ... Dogless all the way, you'll spend the 2 bucks saved replacing dogs with coyotes eventually. Dogless, maybe faster to set, just lift the pan vs throw the dog and lift the pan. It's more a personal preference on what traps you grew old with.

For canine and cats ... Offset jaw.
For raccoon and water sets ... Regular jaw. Coon have tapered feet as do beaver.

For canine and cats ... Laminated or cast/forged jaw. Thicker jaws spread the load across more surface area, easier on the feet with non-sharp corners.
Raccoon and water sets ... Either ... My preference is non-laminated, and double jaw for coon. If a coon can, they will work on their own feet to get free, double jaws eliminate some of the room under the jaw.

thanks this helped

its new traps

Most dogless designs cause more problems than they solve...sometimes it's hard to beat a regular old trap with a rod dog or thickened dog

I have not used a ton of different brands, I asked here and then bought some mb 550s and bridger #2 dog less to try out. They are both nice and work very well and I wanted to like the 560s the best but after using both for 5 or 6 years I had to admit I like the way the bridgers bed more. I think I would prefer them laminated. The jaws were a touch sharp and I made the mistake on some filed down where the pan holds the jaw.

I would love to try some jakes but im lazy and never ordered any. Im more of a buy in person guy.

On coon I went with 1.5 regularly jaw duke. If there were double jaw on the shelf I would go with them for the reason stated above.

Dogless.

Offset only to satisfy the law if such law exists.

I was about to make a new thread but I decided just to ask on this one lol

I'm about to make an order as y'all can tell....what are the modifications that y'all put on y'all yote/cat traps and coon traps.

this is what I think i need,correct me if I'm wrong pls.

for the yote/cat traps I was getting duke #2 dogless offset jaw 4-coiled with t-bar shock springs an extra foot of chain and some 18 in Berkshire disposable stakes.

for the coon traps I was getting duke #1s regular jaws with rebar stake swivels and rebar stakes.

I agree with Boone. Offsets started years ago when traps weren't build as strong as they are now, they allowed the levers to come up higher giving them a bit more holding power because of the leverage advantage. If the offset is actually wide enough to not pinch the foot as tight you will actually have more foot damage cause the foot will be able to slide back and forth easier. And offsets will lose u some smaller critter and toe caught coyotes and bobcats that the closed jaws might of held.

Ive got some Duke #2 dogless. They are mighty powerful four coiled. U will want to remove the booster coils when new and save them for when the primary springs get weak. Then 4 coil them. The pan is too wide on those traps and need to be ground down a bit were they touch the levers when the trap is unset. If you dont they can and will actually stop the jaws from closing all the way and cost you some catches. Ive lost at least a couple coyotes that way. I outside laminate them, something u will need to do if you are live market trapping but dont have to if your not. I wouldn't worry about a shock spring unless your live market trapping. I also base plated mine but not a must. Other than that they are a pretty strong well build trap for the money. Not my favorite as I prefer the Montgomery style dogless.

thank you this helped cut the cost a little with the shock springs and chain lol

if you install the lamination yourself do you HAVE to weld it or are some other alternatives?

Get 2-coiled, close jawed, laminated. That way you won't need to retool again in a couple years when you start live market trapping.... you'll already have the traps you need.

Weld but wolfie would do it for you if you befriend him but if cant weld your better off buying them already laminated. Yote trapper gave u good advise

The mongomery dogless is the best. Once tuned and set to your desired poundage there is absolutely nothing that can be bent or go out of adjustment. IMO, there should never be a nut or bolt to tighten or loosen on a trap.

Bridger #2 dogless is a nice trap for the price
I prefer dog on traps, the dog helps hold my wire screen in place
I also replaced the regular dog with a s/s rod dog

A beginner trapper needs to figure out what suits his own style trapping system
Get some of each and tune them up and go practice setting them and bedding them
I personally like a strong 4 coiled k-9 trap, it just beds better with my bedding system
Use your phone and video yourself setting and bedding multiple spots
Then watch them and find where you need to be more consistent with your movements from step to step
In the end only what you are comfortable with is what matters