On August 9th at the 2001 NTA convention in Mason City, Iowa a new DP coon trap was introduced to a very skeptical trapping community. The Lil' Grizz Get'rz was the answer to a problem I faced on my own coon line.

After 25 years, I decided I need to tell the story of the Grizz Trap.

Before I start, I want to thank everyone who use or have used the Grizz Trap....25 years and counting.

A big thanks to Paul Dobbins!

More to come....

Gary

Still using mine, never had a reason to try any others...

Good on you for making something unique instead of just copying someone and outsourcing to Korea to knee cap them

Can't wait to hear your story. Happy anniversary on making the Lil' Grizz Get'rz

Still have these

Still have my first griz traps!!!

At least they had the country of origin stamped on them and didn't try to hide where they were made.

…. Alright …. Let’s hear the rest of the story

I'm not sure that's worse than blatantly copying someone's design and marketing and then offshoring it.

You are the Godfather of the DP Gary! Your first traps revolutionized coon trapping. It’s been a fast twenty five years. I remember a waiting list and calling you wondering when I was going to get my traps. I got them and never looked back.

I remember one year when there was none available or very few, I didn't get any then either. Finally got a dozen to try, with the right bait they're deadly.

Would rather have a duke or any number of so called copies I prefer a good anchoring system

They are the best,,and mine are still going strong.GREAT traps.Thank you.

I remember when you introduced them at the 2001 NTA, Mason City, Iowa convention. I didn't buy them immediately; but, 25 years later I have dozens of 'Grizz' DPs. Thank you, game changer on coon.

… yall quit sucking up and hold his feet to the fire to tell the rest of the story lol

I had one!!!!

Gary still remember the first 1 you handed To Mo Conservation Biologist Dave Hamiliton, at Mo fur sale in Mongomery City. Was standing beside Dave. You darn near stopped the sale. Been few years since that cold Janurary Saturday. Coon trapping has never been the same

… I lost my virginity to one

…. Worst day of my life

I got 6 for Christmas that year, haven’t looked back.

I have about 5 dozen of them and don't take very good care of them. I've been using them in salt marshes for 23 years. They hold up and nothing gets out of them.

Saw these in Mason City in 2001. Had to be put on a waiting list for production to catch up. Great trap and still using them.

Hope to read about the rest of the story. Unfortunately you haven't even started your story, and the thread is already going a little too fast into the corners. Hopefully you add to the story and it isn't derailed, and deleted before I get home from work this afternoon. G.

I remember meeting you and much of your family at that convention.

My apologies for the delay. Putting 25 years of memories into words takes a little time. I work for a eastern red cedar logging crew and we have been dealing with some major equipment breakdowns as of late.

Thank you all for the comments!

Gary

A few things to mention before I start....

I did not invent the dog proof trap concept. The DP Trap Co, Egg Trap, Duffer's, Coon Cuffs and Bob Best made one before I invented the Grizz Trap.

This story will take awhile and hopefully will be archived once finished.

Please be patient with me....

Who am I?
My name is Gary Bonnot. I have been involved in the fur industry for over 50 years. My involvement started as a trapper, professional fur handler, fur buying and inventing, manufacturing and marketing the Lil' Grizz Get'rz DP coon trap.

Enough about me, on to the history of the Grizz Trap....

It starts around the early 1980's. Coon trapping back then was basically what it took to catch coon....traps, fish and location. Typical coon set was finding a snag or root ball and wiring a piece of fish to a root with the trap underneath with the chain wired to a large root hanging out over the water. Drowning cables were unheard of then. You knew you had a catch since it looked like a bomb went off before you got to the set. Coon was tangled, trap was tangled, oh what fun with a not so happy live coon glaring and daring at you to get closer. Years later I graduated to pocket sets and to stay away from any entanglement issues. I still staked solid at the pocket set and delt with rebuilding the set after each catch. When drowning wire or cables came out, it lessened the need to rebuild or redig the pocket. Then heavy rains and high water issues became problems to deal with. Locations that were hot with tons of coon activity could not be set due to solid rock and such. I always thought there had to be a better way to do things differently. I accepted this is how things are done and kept moving on. At the time I was talking to other coon trappers that were big numbers about how they delt with pocket set issues. Was told that it was an issue they all had to deal with....rain, flooding, headwater, backwater, ground conditions in making pockets, etc. In around 1990, the T&PC had an article about using PVC pipe for an artificial pocket set. I tried it and found success....

More to come .....

Gary

Thanks so far.

... and oh, the drama that ensued. lol

The Victor black hole trap predates all the dog proof traps it's design is basically a dog proof minus the stake. How did you get around patent issues with woodstream ?

Several differences between the Griz trap and Victor’s Black Hole.

The whole line of DP’s Gary made were good traps. The Griz’Gtr, the Sterling Griz, and the V2 Griz. I run all 3 on my line.

Have several dozen and won't buy any of the clones.

That was the first NTA convention id attended since my first one in 1984. The next spring i went to work for the gov. and somehow managed to finagle you out of 6 dozen of those things for our rabies work at the time, you were so far behind on orders at the time i imagine it's taken 25 years to get caught up , lol. Other than having to do a little work on the trigger's they were good to go out of the box. Hard to believe it's been that long ago.......................................

Maybe thats why yer boys are so tough!

How long ago did I make you that full size copy from moose antler?

DanN, to answer your question...

The Black Hole Gopher trap and the Grizz Trap share similar looks but do not share similar functions. The Black Hole is a killer trap. The Grizz Trap is a encapsulated foothold trap. Patents are specific in wording and such.

All for now ...will have more in the morning.

Gary

2002 I think. Still have it! Always been very impressed with your work!

The stabilizing system sucks.

You need to know how to use it and when to do something different.

Gary -
Thank you very much for making these traps. They changed coon trapping and obviously worked well with all the other ones being made these days. No matter what complaints you received, I thank you. I saw the rush on the demand, listened to happy trappers and (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) off trappers that couldn't get exactly what they wanted in the time frame they expected it. I watched your family crank them out by hand at the conventions and watched you donate many to trappers and researchers to test out.
Personally, you were an awesome gentleman who donated the traps for my Masters of Science degree I earned while utilizing your product to conduct my research. I watched you stand behind your product when a bad batch of springs came out - you replaced them at your cost. I know of NO other trap manufacturer that has done that. I encourage you to keep thinking and addressing short comings with your ideas - you definitely changed trapping. Thanks, Keith

PS - I still have all my Lil Griz and do wonder how many ring trigger ones you ever made - I still have all those and really like them. I would bet many on here never knew about them.......

I mentioned I still have and use lil Grizz's, never had a pull out... but I remember early on you were experimenting with a similar design for bobcats, did that ever go through?

Got a big insulated mug of coffee, just took a sip....now to continue....

The PVC pipe I used was 4 inch diameter sch40 x one foot in length. One end was beveled to make it easier to insert into a creek bank. Most of the time I just used my boot and kicked the pipe in place. Reached inside and took the mud plug out and baited with fish pushed deep inside the tube. Bedded a Montgomery #11 with a drowning setup. The weather was good, no water fluctuations and the water was clear. Caught coon like crazy. Oh boy, thought this was the ticket. Had very little bait theft and set remakes due to using drowners. The next year was the opposite...cold weather, high water and major bait theft. The coon did not want to go into the freezing water. The pipes were getting torn out of the ground for the bait and the pipes that were frozen in, the coon were swiping the bait out missing the trap entirely. I changed trap positions, tube positions, moved sets to better options....realized I needed to do something different.

I had read a post on a trapping forum about trappers having better luck using smaller diameter PVC pipe. Specifically one inch and 1-1/4 inch diameter. Supposedly, the coon work harder trying to get the bait out of the tube. So I abandoned the 4 inch tube and spent the next 2 years doing research on which pipe diameter worked best, the height of the tube in the vertical position and the length of the pipes for ground conditions. My plan had changed....I didn't care how many coon I caught, just how the coon worked the pipe.

In 1997...I was about to give up. I was resetting a short line on my line and I would use the length of pipe for the creek ground conditions...short pipe for clay, long pipe for soft loam, etc. As I got to the last set of the day, I reached in the canoe and grabbed the last pipe. Hard clay bank...3 foot long pipe. I did what any trapper would do, beat that pipe in till 8 inches stuck out of the clay. Placed the trap in the water below it and baited the tube with ground up fish. Got finished, pushed off the bank in my canoe and went home. For the next 3 check days, a very curious and determined coon taught me a very valuable lesson....

More to come....

Gary

Ordered a dozen for my son when he started setting traps, gary sent 2 extra with ring triggers to give a try and let him know how they were. We are still using them today, cam has some set around his chickens now. Very well built, and a great guy to add on top of it. We have other dp traps just dont like them as much, so they get handed out for borrowing, and 2nd in line to use when we run a coon line.

I was there and got some while there. Still have most of them to this day.

I had plenty of requests for bobcat and lynx encapsulated traps based on the Grizz Trap design. The Grizz Trap production did not leave me have time to pursue other designs. Not saying I will not do it, it can be done. Just have to get paw measurements for tube diameter and length. Spring design, restraint bar design all have to be considered as well.

Thank you for asking.

Gary

Probably around 3500 or so. Started with small run of the original Grizz's and then a dedicated run of the Grizz Grenade DP Trap. The pull ring trigger carried over to the V2 Grizz as an option. I invented the pull ring trigger for the DP traps. Spent the money for a patent, decided not to pursue it and now it is known as prior art. Everyone can use it. I did this on purpose so it couldn't be used against me.

Gary

I was one of the ones that inquired about a bobcat sized one years ago. I believe they would work

never happen . . .

'bout made me spit my coffee out this morning. That's funny.

the Beav is still trying to figure out how to stabilize them new fangled Connie bears . . .

I would like to know how many Bill Duke has sold. My bet, he getting traps to the states for less than a $.25 each.

I got my first griz traps at the 2003 NTA convention in Bloomington.
I clearly remember folks mean mouthing them because of the price and comparing it to how many more regular foothold traps you could buy with the same amount of money.
Most of them were not seeing the advantage it held because it could get you into areas that had raccoons that needed trapping but you had issues with domestic animals.
Live traps are way too bulky and we all know about the expense of a good quality live trap.

It made catching raccoons easier for beginners as well..which is a two fold benefit..
You really don’t make a mistake with. The griz like you do with the wrong foothold, raccoons are not kind to themselves when the wrong foothold is used,,
Not good for the raccoon and in today’s world of bad information traveling fast,, all it takes is one picture of a poorly caught raccoon and it goes viral.

The other benefit is we need all the help we can get to get the raccoon situation under control.. and the griz helps even the amateur dude to be able to catch them…
Compare a dozen griz to a quality cage trap and you clearly can see the advantage.

Good on you Gary,,,,

Once again I appreciate all of the comments, good or bad, in regards to myself and the Grizz Trap. When I invented the Grizz Trap in 1998, I did not have the options like we all have now.

On to the story....

The following check day was like every other check day. Knew when I caught a coon by the small tuff of fur floating in the water. As I mentioned earlier, all of my coon sets were setup on either wire or cables. I had a good reason...dog hunters. The ratio of dog hunters (coon) vs trappers, was almost 20 to 1. I wanted the coon dead and under the water. The local coon hunters were very concerned about their dogs getting caught. Later on, I needed their help in testing the Grizz Trap concept.

Made my way to the last set....no catch. Noticed most of the bait gone out of the end of the pipe...coon couldn't reach all of it. Decided to pull the pipe out further... roughly 20 inches hanging out over the water. Rebaited pipe again. Left the trap in the same spot as before. Went home. The second check day, same as before, bait gone. Now the game was on.....had a coon teaching me a lesson. Turned this set into a non productive set. Pulled the tube out till the end was 30 inches out of the bank and 2 ft above the water. Water depth was almost 3 ft at the end of the pipe. Moved the trap along the waters edge. Baited to tube again. The 3rd check day couldn't come fast enough. As I got closer to the set....nothing. Noticed the tube was pulled down toward the water....bait was gone! I said a few choice words and cursed that coon to no end....and then something caught my eye....at the base of the pipe on each side was the back foot impression with the toes pointed up. I got closer...the muddy front paws of the coon were on top of the pipe. The coon had hung under the pipe, got to the end and used one paw to clean the bait of the pipe to eat it. Once done, dropped in the water and swam back to the bank. That coon taught me a very valuable lesson that day....use a coons natural instinct against it. Make the hole the trap! I pulled my line that day. I had an idea....

More to come....

Gary

In the trapping world, ideas don't come easy. Today most people would simply ask their phone a question and AI would find it...sort of. I didn't have that luxury back then. Everything was done "the old fashioned way." I was lucky to work for a furbuyer less the 5 miles away as the crow flies, so to speak. Chuck would buy carcuss coon from the local coon hunters when they drove out of state to the northern states to hunt. The guys brought back monster size coon....I simply got my tape measure and started measuring and taking notes. Notes that would lead to the design of a unnamed coon trap. I measured the coon's front paw width, length, paw when opened, closed position, forearm length, forearm diameter, forearm taper and paw taper both ways. Coon weights 10 to 30 pounds plus. My theory was to design the trap around the coon's front foot structure. I wanted the front foot held in the correct position, once the trap fired, across the pad of the foot. Measurements aside, came the fun part....the design stage.

The design stage was tough.... nothing out there to go by. Designs that seemed impossible and impractical. I just wanted a working prototype. Was time to get busy.... trapping season was only months away....

More to come...

Gary

With the Missouri trapping season ending and finishing fur for the furbuyer I worked for, it was time to get started. I took the dimensions I wrote down and started drawing pictures. I design I came up with required that the trap be a very compact in size. Since I was making a prototype, I needed something easy to machine for the "tube" part of the trap. I was lucky to find what I needed. The pipe was sch160 PVC pipe that was used to make threaded couplings for the water well industry. The pipe dimensions were 1-3/4" diameter x 3/8th inch wall thickness. The PVC pipe machined very good on the metal lathe. The outside of the pipe did not require machining, just the slots that were milled for the trigger and restraint bar. The inside of the tube required the most machine work. Material had to removed for the restraint bar to retract inside of the tube and for the bait and trigger area. This prototype was a combination of PVC and steel. The bottom and other components required steel for easier fabrication. It didn't have to be fancy, as long as it worked.

The biggest hurdle was the spring....did research, nothing available. Called spring companies and inquired with my design....was told impossible to make. I hate the word "Impossible", I take that word as a challenge. So what did I do? I made my own spring.

More to come ...

Gary

About now a real smart... would say "looks like this story is going to last about three days less then my wait for my original Grizz traps. " G.

Going to post later on. Tried to post earlier...post went "poof"

Gary

I say they are a great trap especially for newbies,,,,,

I like my Dukes and their stabilizing system. No matter what type of ground I'm trapping in they do the job.
I have some of the original DPs and I just cut off the stabilizing systems and welded on a rod like the Duke system.

If Gary had not started producing the griz, Bill would never have come out with his.

How many different brands of "deepee"?
Cruminy.

The development of the spring....

Years ago, the BMI Trap Co made a coil spring trap with the coils nested under the trap levers. I was using the BMI 1.5 coil spring for coon/fox before I decided to make a DP trap. I took apart one of the BMI traps and experimented with the spring/stamped steel lever combination. Tried different combinations....ease of setting, trigger position, etc. Nothing worked the way I thought it should. I did like the way the spring coils nested under the levers. Decided to come up with my own design. The answer was a one piece, reverse wound, double torsion spring. I wanted a very compact spring that the coils nested together once inserted into the trap frame. As I was contemplating on the spring issue, I had to make sure the trigger, dog, restraint bar and other components to be in their respective positions before the development of the spring. Even the holes for the rivets had to be located in the correct positions.

I purchased a roll of .118 diameter Music wire to start with. Springs made from Music wire can tolerate the high rate of fatigue resistance from repeated setting and use. I made a wire straightener and a temporary spring winder and went to work. Found out fast that spring winding and development wasn't getting anywhere fast. Trial and error was a common theme in regards to spring development. I had to overcome many obstacles....coil size, coil bind, coil tail position, bends in the wire, length of spring once finished, etc. Finally after many tries and choice words....a spring prototype was born. Now it was time to start assembly. A new DP trap was getting closer.... just a few more obstacles to overcome....

More to come....

Gary

DP traps based off the Grizz Trap design..... roughly 24 and counting.

Gary

Need to post pics from my android phone. Anyone have a easy way to do this? Would much appreciated it!

Technology is great....some days, not all.

Gary

Great post Gertrz, take your time. Reminds me of reading the Lew and Charlie stories bit at a time in FF&G
Always learning and evolving through trapping stories, times and experience from others and myself.
Thank you

Thank you!

I remember reading the Lew and Charlie series in FFG years ago. Seemed like a eternity waiting for the next issue of FFG!

For all those who have been following along....thank you!

Much more to come....just trying to figure out the post pic thingy.

Gary

Gary, my android works just like my laptop for posting pictures. The icon with the up blue arrow allows me to select the photo I want to post from my Google Photos. If you do not use Google Photos, you would need to navigate to your photo directory on your phone.

I will try that. Thank you!

Gary

In 1998, the Missouri Trappers Association hosted the NTA National convention in Columbia, MO. I took off work for 3 days to attend the event. What I was interested primarily was the classroom discussions on the topic of the ongoing raccoon BMP test studies. Our own Missouri wildlife biologist, David Hamilton, was discussing what the AFWA was looking for in regards to the coon BMP. At that time, the traps that were tested were not meeting their criteria. I knew what they were looking for....the holy grail of coon traps. That trap wasn't invented....yet. I attended the discussions and took notes....

The next 3 months I kept tinkering with my new dog proof design. Time was running out...

The Missouri trapping season was almost upon me. Time to buckle down to finish the trap and to get ready for testing....

More to come ...

Gary

…. The never ending story lol

Its like waiting for the next Lew and Charlie adventure to come in the Fur-Fish-Game magazine.

Speaking of BMP (Best Management Practices), I note that the Lil Grizz trap is referenced in both US and Canadian BMP literature......described as an enclosed foot hold. The Canadian version goes one step further and describes how they are to be set in the ground, and that is at an angle of about 30 degrees up from horizontal, spring side down. They don't way why, but presumably the idea is when working the trap, coon will be caught with trap bail over the top of the foot, vs under or to the side. Canadian BMP is the only place I've ever seen that reference, so either rest of world has never heard of it, or it does not matter. But would be curious to hear what Gary has to say about it.

Also note that on some days, I can see the steam plume from Callaway plant at Reform, so that means Bonnets Mill is in my backyard so to speak. Also note that as crow flies, not far from southern Warren County where Carliss Stevens was. Would be curios to know if there was any history between Gary and Carliss.........and the Coon Dagger. If bad......no need to elaborate.
And about 10 years or so ago, there was a fabrication place in Washington, MO making and selling a DP. Never bought any and can't find them now, but am wondering if Gary knows anything about those? The fun part being that made about 3 different companies making and selling DP's, all within a 30 mile or so radius. Something in the water around there?

The BMP literature should have described it as a "encapsulated" foothold trap. The Canadian version on setting procedure probably came from the instructions I sent to them. Your correct on your assumption on how the coon works the trap in regards to foot placement and position of the restraint bar, (bail), and tube body. Really doesn't matter how the coon's paw is held as long as there is enough spring pressure to keep the paw from pulling out.

I will answer your other questions later....

Gary

No history between Carlis Stephans and myself in regards to designing anything together.

With the exception of the Lil' Grizz series of DP traps, the only other DP traps that were made within 70 or so miles of Bonnots Mill, MO area was the Coon Dagger, Coon Collector and the Coon Shackle. I do know that the Coon Dagger square tube body was made in Washington, MO.

Gary

The #1 Lil' Grizz Get'rz prototype. Notice no stabilizer....yet?

More pics to come ....

Thanks to those who gave me photo tutorial tips!

Gary

This pic shows how the PVC tube is riveted to the bottom plate of the Grizz prototype.

Gary

Thanks for the info. I believe the one I found info on some years back was the Coon Shackle............

http://trapsusa.com/

Website still working, but appears traps are long gone. Also had never heard of Coon Collector, but appears those are still available on some trap supply websites.

Sorry for interruption. Please carry on with history lesson. Very interesting.

Found my BMI trap lever/spring combo prototype. This prototype is only 3 inches tall and is a push trigger design. The restraint bar is wire cable instead of steel rod.

These pics show how an idea starts and what changes need to done to continue progress.

The story continues....

Gary

The development of the Grizz "Twistloc Anchor" stabilizer....

With the exception of the Egg Trap, all of the other DP traps that came before the Grizz Trap had a similar feature.....had to buried in the ground with just the "hole" visible to be effective. Nothing wrong with that concept. The Grizz Trap could not be buried as it would compromise the spring, trigger and dog rendering the trap ineffective if dirt was packed tightly around the trap itself. I decided to go in a different direction.....above ground. The idea of the Grizz Trap was conceived on the water line. I wanted a coon trap that was easy, efficient, effective and fast! Digging a hole was out of the question in regards to stabilizing a new DP concept for good reasons....rain, water fluctuations, sand, silt, muck, gravel, rock outcroppings and heavy clay. I took #1 Grizz prototype to the creek and tried different ideas in different terrain. The "V" shaped stabilizer was a compromise. This anchor allowed the chain to self center and to used in different anchoring situations.

The Missouri trapping season had already began. I took my 2 week vacation from work. I had enough material to build 7 more Grizz prototypes with the new improvised anchor system welded on. Finally got the traps done on December 2nd, 1998. The next day, Dec 3rd, 1998, the testing phase begins.....

More to come....

Gary

Looking forward

December 3rd, 1998 started out sunny, cool and no ice on the creeks that I trap on. A couple weeks prior to testing the Grizz prototypes, I had scouted sections of my line for coon sign and locations to setup. The locations I intended to test the Grizz were locations that I could not normally make pocket sets due to rock, mud flats, obstructions, etc. Locations that I passed on in the past were now going to be utilized for the "real" test of the Grizz Trap capabilities. The biggest test was not just catching coon in a prototype trap, but to test the dog proof concept of not catching coon hunters dogs. In the past, using 1.5 coils and #11 dbl springs, I made sets in locations to avoid problems with the local dog hunters.

All 7 Grizz prototypes were setup on drowning cables to get the coon away from the set area. Bait was shrimp heads pushed under and around the trigger. Fish oil was used as a trailing scent going from the high bank to the trap itself. The "TwistLoc" anchor worked real well in the different ground conditions. I took my time setting up the first couple set areas to make sure I was doing everything right. Decided there was no such thing as doing anything right in regards to coon trapping. I moved on down the line and finally got the last Grizz prototype set out.

As I got done, I stood there in the water.....just thinking....what if?
What if.....it doesn't work?
What if.....I wasted my time?
What if.....a complete failure on my part?

Then....a realization.....

What if.....it works?

I would find out the next day ......

Gary

December 4th, 1998, I woke up tired. The "What ifs" made sure I didn't get much sleep. I got everything ready and brought a camera along to take pics "if" I caught anything. The first set was a walk to set about a 100 yards upstream from the creek crossing. As I was walking in the water, I didn't look up....my mind started doing the "what if" scenario again. It had all come down to this.....success? or failure??

I was 50 yards from the set, still looking down. I stopped, looked up.....saw movement! The water was getting deeper as I approached the set area, slimy rocks didn't make it any easier. I stopped again and took everything in all at once. The biggest "what if" was staring right at me! All those years dreaming, inventing, problem solving, etc., haven't been wasted on an idea. I humanely dispatched the live coon and checked the coon's foot before releasing it from the trap. No external damage and the coon was held across the pad of its front foot...a perfect pad catch. I remade the set and went on to check the remaining 6 coon sets. I wasn't prepared for what came next....6 more coon waiting in the prototypes. I went 7 for 7 that day. Later on that night, I took the 7 coon down to the local furbuyer to skin and check for front foot catch trauma....found none. I made the decision to limit the prototype testing for one week. About 4 days in, I started having concerns about someone finding my traps. On the 7th check day, I pulled my line. Ended up with 47 coon from 7 prototypes in 7 days.

Every night for 7 days, I checked for foot trauma on each coon at the furbuyers. Only had 2 coon that showed slight foot trauma. Chuck, the furbuyer, made a few comments to me, "Gary, your on to something big." "When word of this gets out, you better get prepared." "If you follow thru with this, your trap will change the industry."

I took Chuck's comments and advice seriously. I gathered up my prototypes, hid them and started the patent process. There was still more testing to be done. Catching coon was the easy part. The biggest test was yet to come..... convincing coon trappers that this new dog proof coon trap had potential....the response from diehard coon trappers was brutal....

More to come .....

Gary

I saw the potential instantly, trapping around here is a nightmare with dog walkers, feral cat people and just general do gooders... the trap solved a bunch of headaches.

A couple pics of coon caught in the prototype Grizz Traps.

Gary

The all steel Grizz prototypes and the start of Market Research.

As the '98-99 Missouri trapping season was coming to a close for coon trapping and coon hunting, it was time to make changes to the Grizz Trap prototype design. All of my drawings for the steel tube prototypes were sent to the patent attorney so they could run it thru the "Patent Search" database. The PVC tube was changed to steel for a very good reason....cost. The other consideration was longevity.....coons would eventually chew up the PVC pipe. Steel tubing was easier to fabricate and weld the additional Grizz Trap components to. The all steel version of the Grizz Trap prototypes were all built by hand, exception of the chain/swivels, tested to make sure all the working parts properly functioned together. A couple weeks later, my patent attorney contacted me stating that I was good to go as the patent search cleared me from infringing on anyone elses patent.

Now I was able to show trappers, coon hunters, etc., something "new" might be coming on the market. Market research was done to see if this type of dog proof coon trap was a viable alternative to what was already available. Found out fast the trapping community did NOT want another "dog proof" coon trap on the market! Coon hunters had a different opinion.....they helped me "test" the "dog proof" concept!

More to come ...

Gary

In the fur industry, I got to meet plenty of good outdoorsmen and women. Trappers of all types, coon hunters, good story tellers, older generation that trapped "back in the good 'ol days" and the much younger of trappers and coon hunters that were just getting started. I remember the fur boom of the late 1970's - early '80's. There were many conflicts between coon hunters and trappers at that time. Coon had topped around $52 or so in my area at that time. As the years passed and coon prices fell, trappers and coon hunters learned to tolerate each other. In the Fall of 1999, I enlisted the help of a few local coon hunters to help me test the "dog proof" concept of my new coon trap. For years, the local coon hunters would ask which properties I was trapping on so they would avoid those areas till I got done trapping them. I water trapped coon only and made sets using footholds in a obscure areas that coon dogs wouldn't travel. After I developed the Grizz prototypes, I told them to hunt the same areas that I trap at the same time. You could see the look of concern on their faces. When the trap was shown to them, their concern was replaced with skepticism.....then realization, "My dogs paw is too big to fit into the hole", I just nodded my head in agreement.

My waterline consisted of creeks that meandered across bottom crop ground and steep bluffs. The bluffs varied in length....a hundred yards to a half mile or so. Heights from 20' to 150' and forested with big timber, large rock outcroppings, steep drop offs, etc. Very hard to hunt as coons would "hole up" if chased by dogs. The coon hunters had learned to hunt the coon "away" from the bluff when the coon were foraging for food. The trap set areas were coon trails in low grass along the edge of the water. The Grizz traps were set directly in the trail so the coon dogs would have to pass directly over the traps while chasing coon. Traps were baited, lured and on drowning cables. A "homebrew" video camera was setup away from the trail to capture audio and video of the dogs chasing and or coon getting caught in the Grizz. I made a total of a dozen sets, split between trail and bluff areas. No cameras were setup along the bluff. I called one of the locals to run their dogs to see what would happen. Made sure to tell them to run the bluff area also. The next day? Unbelievable video footage!

More to come ....

Gary

The next day started out pretty good..... didn't get a call from the coon hunters about "Your trap caught my dog". As I was making my way to the set areas, I could tell there had been plenty of action the night before.....dog tracks plastered in the mud everywhere. When I came up to the trail set with the 2 Grizz traps, one of the traps had connected and the coon was under water at the end of the drowner. The other Grizz was still set.....noticed the position of the trap was angled over more than normal. As I got closer to look, one of the coon dogs had stepped partly on the trap moving its position. The camera was still there and still operating, time to take a look.

Opened the video camera box, took the tape out, inserted it into the spare camcorder that I carry along to review tapes while out in the field. Pressed "rewind"....then "play"....the Chase was on! A coon being chased by the hounds triggered the camera to record audio/video. Takes about 2-3 seconds for the motion sensor to trigger audio/video recording. Didn't get a video of the coon, just the 2 dogs running and the lights of the coon hunters walking along the field above. Had video proof of one dog pushing a Grizz trap out of position with its front foot as it was running alongside the other dog. Later on, the camera caught a coon in mid jump in a Grizz trap.....coon usually "jump up" the instant the trap fires and pins it's foot inside the tube of the trap. The mid jump landed the coon straight down the drowner and underwater. Amazing how fast and efficient a drowning system works. Checked the bluff area sets, caught 4 more coon. With 5 coon, video proof and no caught dogs....really good day!

More to come....

Gary

Really enjoy this thread and appreciate what you've done to change the way we trap. I think this ranks near the top as one of the best inventions we as trappers can use. Thanks!

Thank you!

Thanks to everyone that have been following along.

Gary

Very interesting thread indeed.

Market Research .... time for the nitty gritty....

As the '99 - 2000 trapping season closed, I had the opportunity to unveil my new coon trap at the annual Missouri Fur Auction. I just wanted opinions and suggestions if I should go further with my idea..... possibly into production. It didn't take long to get plenty of opinions. Many suggestions that it would not be a good or wise decision to manufacture "another" dog proof coon trap. When asked why? The most common comment, "Dog proofs take too much time to put out." "More of a novelty, not a real coon trap." There were more comments that were even harsher....cannot post those comments. The majority of the coon trappers were 1.5 coil, #11 db longspring/ pocket sets along waterways. I understood as I had used both traps in the same setup.....just got tired of it. However....there were those who thought differently. I had plenty of discussions.....one guy in particular....Dave Hamilton, the Missouri wildlife biologist.

Dave Hamilton was doing otter research and was collecting samples at the Missouri Trappers Fur Auction. He was collecting samples next to the table where I was at, looked over and seen the trap. He made his way over, introduced himself and asked to look at the trap that I had in front of me. I pushed the trap over to him. Dave took his time looking it over. I showed him the setting procedure and how the trap worked. I told Dave my success testing the trap. The front foot catch trauma results. The dog proof testing, etc. Dave asked me, "Gary, are you going to the Missouri Trappers Rondy in September?" I told him, "I plan on to." Dave responded, "Bring that trap along, we'll discuss more about it there." I knew something was up, just didn't know when it would happen.

Dave Hamilton wasn't the only one interested in the coon trap. Another Missouri trapper would step up to become a major player in the Grizz Trap success story......

More to come .....

Gary

This thread is like a 7 year itch.

Probably jumping the gun on this qusstion. Whatever happened tonthe DPs you were going to release with the stabilizer swiveling at the body of the trap? Would have been around 2012 they were posted. If you have photos I'd love to see them. Blast from the past.

What feeds innovation more, curiosity or market potential?

Very good questions!

Both of your questions will be addressed as this I continue on with this story.

Thank you!

Gary

Keep it coming. And thanks again for sharing

Market Research continuation......

After the introduction of my coon trap at the Missouri Fur Auction, I had time to reflect on what to do next. My thoughts would go back and forth..... indecision was setting in. Would my coon trap be a successful contribution to the trapping community or be lumped into the "novelty" dog proof controversy. Something had to change my mind....

The Missouri Trappers Fall Rendezvous was coming up and I made plans to be there on Saturday. My Dad asked to go too, so I bought him along. I've made plenty of friends there over the years and always had a good time visiting with them. When we arrived, Dad and I walked the grounds with my trap and would engage with conversations about it when I got asked, "What is it?" Surprising to me, most comments about the trap were "neutral" in nature, mostly curious questions asked. And yes, there were comments, "Never work." "Waste of time.", etc. I thanked them for their comments anyway. As my Dad and I were walking in the tailgating section looking at traps and such, a trapper that I've known for years came running up to me and asked to borrow my trap for a little bit. He noticed the odd look I had on my face....."Gary" he said, "I'm doing a coon demo in 15 minutes down by the Current River, you need to come see it " I handed the trap over. He then put the trap in a sort of fanny pack fastened to the front of his waders, then took off to a bus filling with trappers to see his coon demo. My Dad turned to me and asked, "Who was that." I answered, "Tim Reed".

The first bus filled up and took off toward the river. The second bus was filling up and I told Dad we need to get going. By the time both of us got there, Tim had already started his demo. Tim had been the BMP tester for the Egg Trap and was sharing his experiences using the Egg Trap to target coon in waterways. There were about 50 + or - in attendance. I stood toward the back of the group watching both Tim doing his thing and reactions from everyone. Tim did a great job explaining how to use the Egg Trap....and what to expect in using it. Tim explained extra parts were necessary such as extra screws, setting tools, etc., in case parts get accidentally dropped in the water. The biggest reaction came from Tim recommending to replace the Egg Trap that had caught a coon to a fresh baited and set Egg Trap to put back in its place. So if you had 50 Egg Traps set out, you would need another 50 Egg Traps ready to go. After Tim explained this, I just watched the group mumbling, groaning and commenting between their selves. Tim tried to explain, "The Egg Trap works." "Just takes more time and effort." Again, more grumbling. "Okay guys, I see your point.", Tim said. What Tim did next, caught me (no pun) off guard....did not expect it at all....

Tim Reed was at the conclusion or end of his coon demo. Tim made the comment, "I know the Egg Trap and others like it, have inconsistencies in their use." "Extra parts, setting tools, setting procedures, time." Tim reached down in his pack and grabbed the coon trap he borrowed from me earlier. Tim held the trap up in front of him and said, "We have a member from the Missouri Trappers Association here that may have solved most, if not all our problems." "Mark my words!" "When this trap comes on the market, It Will Change The Way We Trap Coon!" "I Guarantee It!" Tim had everyone's attention with that comment, including myself! One of the guys standing in front asked Tim, "What is it called?" Tim looked up, saw me standing in the back, yelled at me, "Gary, what do you call your trap?" I yelled back, "The Little Grizz Getters"

After Dad and I got back from the coon demo, I ran into Dave Hamilton, the Missouri wildlife biologist. Dave said to me, "Gary, we need to get your trap tested for the coon BMP."

More to come .....

Gary

The coon BMP, the search for the holy Grail of coon traps.....

Of all the BMP (Best Management Practices) trap testing, the coon BMP stood out as the most controversial. Trappers were on edge as they thought their favorite coon trap, 1.5 coil spring, was going to be eliminated for use on coon. Many internet trapping forums were set ablaze with hot topics on the subject of the coon BMP's with proponents on both sides of the isle. I did not contribute to the discussions. I simply was trying to get a coon trap introduced to a market that was smack dab in the middle of the BMP coon trap crisis. "Sometimes fate, follows success."

On to the story.....

As Dave Hamilton was looking over my coon trap, he mentioned "We have a limited window of opportunity to get your trap tested." "The next coon BMP testing will be in West Virginia in a couple months." "Can you have 4 dozen of your traps ready by that time?" I just let out a low "oh boy" response. Dave looked at me and asked, "Is that going to be a problem?" I told Dave that all 48 traps will have to be built by hand and it will take time since I worked a full time job in the family water well business. Dave then told me, "Get it done if you want to get your traps tested." Dave was still rolling the trap over in his hands, checking everything out, setting and unsetting, trigger placement, trap anchor, chain and swivels.... Dave then made the comment, "Gary, your trap has a huge amount of potential." "The trap testers in WV don't know what there in for." I asked Dave, "What is my trap going to be tested against?" Dave answered, "The 1.5 coil with modifications." I thought to myself....a shoot out of sorts.... between a upcoming new coon trap vs the trappers favorite coon trap, the 1.5 coil spring! Dave explained to me that he would make arrangements to the WV wildlife biologist that a new coon trap will be coming their way to be tested and contact info will be forwarded my way.

I had my work cut out for me. It was time to get serious....I got busy!

Every part of the trap had to be cut, bent, machined and welded into 48 carbon copies of the original steel prototype Grizz trap. Every spring had to be hand wound to exact specifications. Each trap trigger was adjusted to fire effortlessly. Each trap was set multiple times to make sure all moving parts worked smoothly. Finally, I got the traps done! I sent Dave Hamilton an email stating the traps were done, got a reply with the contact info. I called the WV wildlife biologist that was in charge of the BMP coon trap testing. I was informed that they needed the traps there a week or 2 before testing and also to send instructions on there use so the BMP coon trappers would learn how to use them. I requested a call when they received the traps. I got the traps boxed up and shipped to West Virginia. Testing would start November 4th, 2000.

As I was waiting for the return phone call that the traps had been received, I couldn't help but wonder what the BMP test trappers were going to think when the boxes were opened. No one else has ever used the trap besides myself. I did all I could in inventing and testing....now it will be in someone else's hands to prove that it may work for everyone. My trap has a name....now it has to earn it!

More to come....

Gary

Very interesting read Gary. Thanks for sharing!

and now Z has come out with a trap with 2 inch hole and not called a DP., It isnt legal in Wi

I got a look at the trap while I was at the FTA Convention in Macon, MO. I actually had a good conversation with the guy about his Ztrap XL. Apparently, the trap is designed to catch mink by strangulation. Other uses are for fox, coyote and bobcat by the front foot. Coon, possums, skunks and house cats will be able to get caught. Definitely not dog proof. Has the push-pull trigger. I was asked if this trap could be legalized. My answer was, "Did you consult with each state wildlife department to see if this trap would be acceptable or legal for use in their state?" Would be hard to sell a trap in a state that does not allow it. I wished him well on his endeavors.

Gary

The Coon BMP Testing Showdown. Everything was going good....then..... "Houston, we have a problem!"

I got the call that the traps had been delivered. The WV biologist told me that he called in the BMP coon test trappers to come in to evaluate the traps and the protocols on the live restraint requirements for both the traps and the set areas. I had to ask, "What did the guys think of the new dog proof coon traps?" He responded, "They had that look of confusion on their faces." "I told the trappers that yes, it is a dog proof trap." "A new dog proof design that will be tested alongside the 1.5 coilspring trap."

The BMP Coon Trap Testing Protocols were based on these 5 core performance criteria,

1) Animal Welfare (Most Critical)

Live Restraint Traps must result in low injury scores. At least 70% of the captured raccoons must experience mild, moderate, or no injury.

2) Efficiency

Traps must demonstrate a high rate of capture and restraint. A trap passes the parameter only if it successfully captures and holds at least 60% of the raccoons that trip the device.

3) Selectivity

This protocol measures how effectively a trap targets raccoons while minimizing the risk of capturing non-target species.

4) Practicality

Initial purchase and maintenance costs. Weight, portability and ease of transport. Reliability in extreme weather. Expected lifespan and ease of operation.

5) Safety

The device must not present an unreasonable risk of serious injury to the trapper, wildlife professionals, or the general public who may encounter it.


The BMP test trappers that were chosen were professional or highly experienced trappers that could read sign and locate acceptable set areas to trap coon. A technician was appointed to each test trapper to document the set requirements, what traps to use, bait and lure applications and finish up with a final set inspection. From what I gathered from asking the WV biologist, 2 traps were used at each site....a double set as I would call it. One trap of each type tested, ex; 1 dog proof and one 1.5 coilspring trap. Traps were placed far enough apart to keep possibly 2 caught coon from reaching each other. Typical set for a 1.5 coil was the "pocket" set. The dog proof was simply pushed into the ground using the trap stabilizer to keep it in the upright position. Both sets were baited, lured the same. No drowning sets! Only live restrained at the set area! The technician would record each set area and would change bait, lure options at anytime. There were 48 of each type trap tested. Each day after a catch was made, the coon was euthanized, checked for visible damage and the technician would slide the euthanized coon in a sealed container with a enclosed barcode to identify it and then frozen. Later on, veterinarians would do a necropsy on the coon to check for trap induced damage. The barcode does not let the veterinarians know which trap was used....for bias reasons. The goal in the trapping part of this BMP testing was to capture 20 coon samples in each trap style.....20 in the dog proof, 20 in the 1.5 coilspring. Time limit 7 days.

The WV biologist told me not to call him while the testing was in progress. The testing began on November 4th, 2000. I couldn't stand the waiting. I called the WV biologist on Nov 6th, I asked, "So how's the testing going?" He replied, "Gary, you're not supposed to call me." I told him, "Oh come on!" "I got to know something!" He answered, "Well Gary, we had to pull your traps on the 2nd check day and replace them with the 1.5 coilspring traps." I asked, "What happened?!" He just slowly spoke, "The testers had a big problem with your traps." I just let out a "Oh nooo"

More to come....

Gary

Already caught the 20 contestants?, lol

"Sometimes fate, follows success." The testing of the Lil' Grizz came to a fast end. I knew word of the testing would get out. Just needed a bit more convincing.....

When the WV biologist told me the test trappers had problems with my traps and replaced them with the 1.5 coil springs, I couldn't help asking myself what I did wrong. When I asked that in a question to the WV biologist, he started laughing. He told me, "Gary, you're taking this the wrong way." "The testing of your trap went phenomenal." "The trappers had to pull your traps for a good reason." I had asked, "Why?" He continued, "We had 7 days to capture 20 coon in your traps for our goal." " The trappers caught all 20 coon using your traps in a day and a half." " The trappers were doubtful of your traps at the start of this testing, that changed fast while using them out in the field." "The trappers personally told me your trap is incredible." "From the setting procedures, baiting and set construction, they never seen a coon trap that can catch coon that fast!" "A request from the guys, they want to be able to purchase your traps if you decide to go into production." "Another request from me personally." "Could I have one of your traps for my collection?" I said sure and thanked him and the test trappers also. A little over a week later, my coon traps were returned minus one. Tim Reed called me and arranged to pick the traps up so he could do more testing here in MO and a few other states.

A couple weeks later, I was scrolling thru the Internet trapping forums, i came across a thread....New coon trap tested in West Virginia. Test results were starting to attract attention. Coon trappers were hearing of a revolutionary new coon trap in the works.

I needed no more convincing. It was time. The Lil' Grizz Get'rz has earned its name.

More to come....

Gary

100% correct!

Gary

The new Ztrap is indeed bigger. Testing has been done to show it works well for ADC squirrel removal. Mink use when banks are frozen has been shown to be effective too. I can see where staking this in grass over hanging a bank trail, would keep domestics out of them.

Now, let’s get back to Gary’s story!!!

This is the results of the coon BMP testing. The person in the picture pointing to the Lil' Grizz results was the late David Hamilton (1955 - 2007), there has never been a better advocate for trappers and trapping as well as the fur industry itself. RIP my friend.

Disregard the time stamp on the photo. These pics were taken in 2001.

More to come,

Gary

Dave was a great guy