Why not 330’s for Bobcat?

I’ve read several posts about catching bobcats in 220’s using a wooden box. I haven’t read anything about using 330’s. Is there a reason for this? Is it too big or only the concern of using a big body grip out of water? I’ll be on a large track of private property with NO chance of domestic dogs. I have 330’s and wasn’t looking to buy smaller traps if I didn’t have to. Anyone with experience I would appreciate the input

I'm guessing it is because they are not legal to use on land in most states.

None of the lower 48 that I am aware of.

I’m gonna go back through the regulations. Pretty sure you can use 330’s in Idaho

All I can say Is that It would be judgment call on your part.
But to answer your question they would make a great bob cat trap.

Legal here on private land.

^

Legal here. I used to use them almost exclusively for bobcats years ago. All on private land. I haven't used them in years. I would not think about setting on any public ground.

We can use them in Wyoming, I don't use them as I don't wanna pop somebodys $5000 lion dog. Usually there is a snare location nearby.

Can be used here in MI but need to be 4’ off ground on a leaner or in a tree

Castormound ; 330s only legal on private or in the water
Section 8 paragraph (e). Been that way for a couple years now.

Legal in Idaho but not smart. We had two dogs caught a couple years ago and there was a lot of bad press for trapping. I believe it is probably going to be illegal in the next couple of years unless you put it on a leaning pole 3 or4 feet above ground. I wouldn't want to catch an expensive cat or horn hunting dog.

The Beav thanks for answering my question

Yep, that's all I trap. The original question was referring to private land.

Guy on the Lochsa made a cubby with two pallets standing on end. He left them flat before season and left them on site yearlong. He got a few cats but I think footholds are easier and I would be afraid of getting one of our threatened species and all the attention it causes.

Yep best check the regs castormound no longer legal 4 dogs killed in one year got that changed. If it is legal in your state I would think twice about it, just because its legal don't mean its right.

The operative word in the Beaves post was judgement.
Exercise some.

That trap doesn't have the capacity to discriminate as to what it may catch.
You must do that.

I don't mean to be cryptic and I am not the foremost authority on trapping either.
The possibility of an undesirable non target catch would be too great for me to use a 330 on dry land even if it were legal here.

You must not have seen my reply.

A snare on dry ground doesn’t care what’s in it either. I know I’m not a smart man but wants the difference? Snare on a trail will kill a non target animal just as fast. Body grip in a box seems safer to me.

Snare VS a coni really is that tough to figure out?

I have trapped a lot of feral in body grip traps. I live next to a reservation and when - pull down a 500 pound steer calf all bets are off.
A victor 330 will get a 60% kill , the jaws don't close tight enough and they can turn the trap on their neck and survive indefinitely. A 280 or a 220 is a DRT. Before everyone starts hacking... I had the blessing of the CO because feral -are smart and hard to kill and he said I have the right to use any means to protect my livestock.

A snare and a conibear are 2 different things. I have been snaring all my life and have never, repeat, never killed a domestic dog. They do not fight it like a coyote. Lion hunters who run the same land I'm on are well aware of the areas my snares are in. We work together. The biggest danger to domestic dogs caught in a snare is the cold..

Another thing to consider most people can figure out how to get a snare off of there dog, unless you have the right equipment you won't get a coni off in time. Also you are baiting a cubby so you are pulling an animal to your trap increasing your risk. Just because something is legal doesn't make it right or smart.

A lot of bird hunters are now carrying cable cutters and conibear setters.

I do also, not a bird hunter but my old lab goes everywhere with me. A lot of people don't though and you would have to be fast and lucky to save a dog in a 330. Horn hunting is huge around here and good dogs go for thousands of dollars. I just believe a foothold is a better choice for land trapping, I can release any nontarget catches. There is the possibility of catching a lynx or wolverine besides someone's dog in our area and as trappers we don't need that bad press. We just won a lynx lawsuit we don't need to give the antis any other ammunition. They can come up with plenty of reasons to sue on their own.

I agree with you but plenty of -make stupid decisions.

Sometime ago I got a small box full of large zip ties and I hand them out to pheasant hunters in case their dog gets caught in a coni. I also suggest they carry a small inexpensive cable cutters in case their dog gets hung up in a snare. Most hunters get upset when they find out I'm trapping in the area, but they settle down when they find out I'm a dog owner too and don't want to see that dog hurt or worse.

Just too dangerous; to pets and farm animals. Unfortunately there is always one that lacks the sense and endangers trapping in the process.

Legal here. I set them dry on crossovers sometimes but mostly use 280's. I do fine on beaver and otter with the dry 280's and they catch a few cats. Never caught anything that would cause a PR issue but I am very careful where and when I use them. I am adding 220's and 160's to my inventory bit by bit but I will still lean toward the 280's when feasible.

Like Beav said, you have to use good judgement. I don't set 330's or 280's dry on the road ROW's and am very careful when using them dry everywhere else.

2X to what Fisherman said!

Yep. Plenty of non-target animals show up where they are not supposed to be. That part doesn't make the headlines.

Why would you want to even risk using conibears over foothold traps? Even if the private ground is out in the middle of no where and thousands of acres there is always the chance that domestic dogs or cats will be there. Animals know no boundaries when roaming and will be there and even if in the middle of no where the risk isn’t worth the reward. You can be just as effective if not more effective using footholds with little to no risk to domestic animals.

All I did was ask a question about 220’s vs 330’s. Thanks to those who actually answered the question. I understand the potential dangers, Lot of soap boxes on here.

Just asking the question implies you are going to use them. You allso asked if they weren’t used because of the concern of using a big body grip on dry land. And everyone may not be answering all your questions but are answering that one. It is a concern and rightfully so. So if your going to ask them questions don’t be getting on everyone because they answered it.

As it often happens one guys mistake can cost everyone a trapping tool over a bad choice. I'd look to where they can be used and how they are required to be used and start there maybe. But the fact that they are not allowed in a vast majority of States says steps must be taken to avoid problems or everyone can be put at risk, no soap box just protecting what we still have to work with.


Coni VS snare, what you rather stick your hand in? Like said a dog and yote act different in a snare. Compare a cats head/body to a 330 and is there a better choice or set that will not require a 330 on land creating a risk. The suspended 330 off of the ground might be a option and built right should be dog proof you would think.

If legal, use them. Don't let other peoples lack of judgement dictate what you do.

They are legal here and I use them and I don't care what anyone thinks about it. I have had zero issues because I choose my spots wisely and times wisely.

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