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