Just getting into predator trapping and I added some more traps this year. What is everyone’s preferred anchor system? I have used earth anchors in the past but wondering if I should rig the new traps up with super stakes?

I use wolf fangs and cable for my fox/coyote sets

Me also 12 inch my ground is tough to pull stakes out of.

I used 1 1/2” (1.75 sq”) homemade pogos on 15”-16” 3/32” cable in sand and clay with absolutely no problem in well over 20 years! It’s all about square inches of soil displacement! The ONLY soil type that I found where 1 1/2” pogos didn’t hold to my expectations was in muck, forcing me to switch to 2” (3.14sq”) washers which held!!

Im still old school. I still use 24" rebar. I im trapping out of my local area, I will use wolf fangs to cut down on weight

To me, earth anchors and super stakes are synonymous. What are you calling earth anchors, that are different than super stakes?

This

If your soil is rocky or clay, make a starter starter rod or use a rebar stake.

I am using the Berkshire style anchor with cable. I was wondering if the switch to a chained super stake would be worth it? I haven't had any problems but with a small sample size of 3 coyotes, 1 red fox, and one bobcat. We are trapping farm country in northwest missouri

I believe the regular Berkshire anchor has about the same square inches of soil displacement as a 1 1/2” pogo(fender washer).

I’ve used the inexpensive berks for many years. Held coyotes well for me in our soil. If ground is frozen I make a pilot hole first with the driver then pound the anchor into that pilot hole and that works well.

I guess I will keep using what I have been using then. One more thing what is everyone's favorite way to attach them?

I made t-post anchors about 14" long. More than that is extremely hard to pull out of the ground.

I use Berkshires with a #9 snare swivel and attach with a 3/16 quick link.

I've used about every anchoring system out there and can tell you the pros and cons of each (Super Stakes, Wolf Fangs, Standard and HD Berkshires, Pogos, Iowa Earth Anchors, etc.)

For most all of my traps and 100% of my snares, I prefer Wolf Fangs attached to about 12" of 3/32, 7x7 cable (I have a bench swager and make my own). Out of all the "disposable anchors," they have proven to be the best for me with my soil type and density. I can drill out the ones that I can for reusing, but otherwise cut and go (or detach quick link) for the ones that seem like they are anchored in concrete. Ha.

I also use quick links on the end of my trap chain setup, and this allows me to pivot and attach either a Wolf Fang cable stake OR a JC Conner drag, whichever is needed. Of course I attach my cable stakes to my traps before leaving the shop to save on time, but I do have the ability to change quickly if a drag setup is warranted.

I double cross stake with 1/2” x 20” washer topped rebar stakes. In sand go with a longer stake.

Depends on your ground I guess. I’m not a big fan of “disposables”. Especially in this day with high costs and low fur prices. I’ve had the same Fox Hollow Finned Super Stakes with Retrieval Boss since they came out (at least a decade). Haven’t lost or broke one yet. I’ve got mostly clay here.

My reason for cross staking is that very possibly I might catch a wolf.

Home made 1/2" emt conduit - 1/8" or 3/32" cable pieces (from used snare extensions) and 3/16 quick link. If froze or I can't pull, cut and leave it (pennys + your time). And don't comment about leaving stuff in the field - as this is No-till intense row cropping where I have sat on enough planters to know there is no problem with a tiny 2" tube and 15" of cable interfering with modern farm implements. It will rust away to pieces in 2-3 years (if we get any rain - LOL) with all the Nitrogen applied to our fields.This is farm country so I do use a few (10-20 per season) of old 6'- 8' X 6" diam. wooden fence posts as drags (DO NOT USE METAL GRAPPLES UNLESS THEY ARE WEIGHTED >15 lbs. HERE). Use Clip-C Rings to cinch posts in middle with extension chain. Coyotes go to the nearest cover and try to hide (fence row, grass waterway, field windbreak, etc.) where they can fight this "thing" on their pad. My experience and tip ........................................ the mike

I went back to rebar.

Mainly because of costs. It now costs me about .80 cents of material to make a wolf fang, plus my time. For the amount I use in a year, that adds up.


But also because of ease of use.

For me to get a wolf fang in the ground easily most of the year it means packing a rotary hammer and a big honkin bit. Thats a lot of weight. Drill, bit, and a big heavy duty anchor driver weigh a LOT more than a hunk or two of rebar! Plus, I can recover the rebar a lot easier.

I use Berkshire’s. The heavy duty, it’s held everything I have caught. Mine are about 15 inches. I would like the chain ones but cost and time have made it impossible. Over 100 traps take a long time. I like everything uniform so I don’t need more tools.

wws