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

From prototype to production, the start of the dog proof trap revolution.

After the coon BMP testing of the Grizz traps was finished and the relief that everything had went above and beyond what I expected, I had time to reflect on what to do next. I was about to take a big gamble and a much bigger risk if I decided to go one step further. The decision to continue going forward was not taken lightly. I would often self-debate and argue with myself. At the end of such self-discussions, the decision to go into production of the Grizz trap won. What little did I know that decision would ultimately change the course of the coon trapping industry.....

In the previous months before my decision, I was sending out specs and drawings to tool & die shops for tooling cost estimates and trap per part quantity prices. Requested prices from companies for music wire spring material, precut chain, swivels and other required material. My bank required me to write up a business plan on what my expectations on production and such. Once the estimates came in for the costs of the trap, the bank looked over everything and approved my loan. The tool & die shop that was selected, called me and arranged a meeting to discuss and double check completed blueprints and specifications on each part of the trap that they were going to manufacture. I agreed with the terms and conditions. I signed the contract, wrote a check for a deposit to get started. The production of the Grizz trap had begun.

While waiting on trap parts, I had time to get my shop ready. I built assembly tables, tooling for spring manufacturing, welding stations, etc. Made more tooling for spring installation, rivet crimping, restraint bar crimp dies, welding jigs......then, went trapping. I only needed to catch one coon. It is one thing to invent a coon trap, a completely different level when coon trappers demand proof.....I did catch that one coon.....and made history doing so.....

More to come....

Gary

Trap name recognition, advertising and promoting your product. Every trap has a name. The coon trap that I invented, the name it was given is what it does.

Trap brand recognition is important. Imagine going into a trapping supply business and asking for a "coon trap", you will be instantly be asked, "Which brand and model are you looking for?" "I have longsprings, coilsprings, body grip traps in different sizes to catch a raccoon." "Probably 60 - 70 coon traps to choose from." A new trapper would get overwhelmed very quickly. Trap branding works both ways. Trappers gravitate to brands that perform, gravitate away from brands that under perform

In order for my coon trap to succeed in the "ocean" of coon trap makes and models, it had to have a very unique name. The name had to be instantly recognized for advertising, promoting and such.

Lil' Grizz Get'rz is the "shortened" version of the Little Grizz Getters.

The "Little Grizz" comes from history that raccoons and bears are distant cousins. Native folklore would often describe the raccoon as a "small bear" hence "Little Grizz." The raccoon was also referred as a "wash bear" in native culture also.

"Get'rz" pronounced as "Getters", is what the trap does.....gets the coon caught.

Dog Proof or "DP", describes the trap style as a "encapsulated" foothold trap primarily used to trap raccoons while being "dog resistant."

The Lil' Grizz Get'rz DP trap is the only brand of dog proof with multiple names that are a derivative version of the brand name itself. Such as: Lil' Grizz, Grizz Getters, The Grizz, Little Grizz, Grizz's, Little Grizz Getters, Little Grizzlys, Grizz Traps.....and the most respected name given to it, The Grizz Trap.

That is today's history lesson.

More to come....

Gary