Best beaver foothold

What is best in no. 5 size? I have had bridger, duke, mb, an no bs extreme , I have 4 no. 5 size footholds an think add 1 more to collection, for set back an deep, hind foot trapping

The best is the one with a beaver in it!!

What is your favorite of the ones you have? Get another one!!


I would get a sleepy creek if you can find one.

#14 jump

I like the #5 bridger double longsprings. Take up space to bed but the big coils are hard on the hands. Also reasonable in price

Yeah, I’ve looked at them, probably best price for big long springs

I meant in a coil that can set with hands, dbl long are ok on some botts but take up to much room , I have hard time set a mb an I can rember use feet an didn't like short chain or pull pan till click an have trap set an then stake it an fish out water to bed as used feet to set with lay on shovel

Buy one handed setters. Problem solved

I 2nd that nomination. great trap.

My vote is Bridger 5.

Whichever one magically increases their value to more than a loaf of bread when it catches them.



Mike

B#L #44 DBL LS is by far my favorite if you can find them. My second choice is the Bridger #5 coils.

Certainly not the best

Many other better choices.

Old school that gets it done.

Have caught a pile of beaver in #14 jumps over the years.

My opinion, best beaver coil foothold trap = CDR.

You might have

But they're are better choices now

Get this one!

Depends.Trapping under the ice I don't have to build a platform if I use a #14 jump.In open water I use a short chain hooked to a slider for a front foot catch so they drown very quickly.To me you can't beat them.

In 1975 back maybe

I put PIT pans on a few 14s and that fixed some of their problems.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it lol...

Some is right^^^

I'll take Mt MB750's

Exactly

My favorite is the TS85

I use mostly MB 750s but they have problems too. Bridgers seem to have the least problems. I have a WCS but haven't used it enough to compare.

The best beaver trap is still a snare.

Fight me!

best trap with poor setting still always the worst one, you must use the right trap at the right place at the right method

Why do you have to bring logic and common sense into it.

A cdr is better than bridger 5 coil ? I have 2 them, work good

If you like them, and they meet your exacting standards. Then, yes they are better.

Go with what you like.

I'd like to get the Big No BS beaver trap.

I still think the Best one could still be in the works, fur prices might hamper that

You should try the TS85's dave. They are very easy to set by hand. You could not set a CDR, or I could barely do it but I can set MB750's without a setter. CDRs have stronger springs.

That’s a dandy…

Nice.

So many great options.

I use all 3 lists above all great traps all my are 4 coiled

The 14 is a killing machine. Kills the same today as 40 years ago. Your problem if you don’t know how to trap with a 14.

He’s playing y’all…

I think I may have one! I gotta go look for it.

We know.

They are ALL rhetorical questions.

I used my first 14 over 50 years ago. Caught lots of beaver, but had some sprung empty traps. I gotta ask, does that ever happen to you?

Very rarely.

That's a picture of a #4 jump

Take that up with Sterling fur Bruce. It’s on the internet so has to be true.

That's a 4

Lol

See above.

Beat you that time

That's a nice one

I use them when I feel Nostalgic. Hahaha

Found that online.


Still think I might have one, gotta look and see how dumb I am.

Probably just a Duke 1.5

I can’t say the best but I’ve caught quite a few beaver in #4 double longsprings. Victor, B&L. Set up on a drowner. Front foot or back foot catches. I’ve also used TS-85’s with success.

Ts 85 is big jaw spread but why all negative talk on at end slider with sprung an empty, not something I want

Duke 1.5
Now that's a killin' machine! LOL!

DJ for coon Duke 1.5 coil

Look on the bright side, you would get to complain about sprung and empty traps at the end of the slider!

My post was as serious as a heart attack. The few snapped traps or poorly low caught animals are usually a result of fluctuating water.

Yes turn a new Page

What you don’t know grasshopper you don’t know and I’m ok with that.

I'll stick with The Boss's view on them.... it mirrors my own Opinion

Pan tension was a nice improvement.

Fine, I’ll join in and start a fight.

USDA trapper I know, swears by the MB-650 OS.

For beaver

And

Go.

LOL!

He doesn't buy his gasoline.

Or his traps

LOL

Next time I talk to him, I’m gonna ask why he gets them.

The rules I have to ask when purchasing anything is, “is it reasonable? Is it necessary?”.

Now I want to know. Maybe he has a reason he likes them.

Easier to set maybe? Fits in more spots?

Who knows?


Anybody else use 650 OS for beaver?

I know guys who use smaller OS for front foot catches. We can only set traps up to 6 1/2” above the water line and up to 7 3/4” below the water line.

If it is above the waterline. There are rules that if it is a CS greater than 4” or long spring greater than 4.5” it has to be padded, laminated or OS.

Now there is a #14 jump.Have caught many a beaver and otter in them.

650 has strong springs, compact, adjustable pan tension, might be ok. I wonder about the offset but it might be fine. I like a little bigger jaw spread but have held lots of beaver in 3 bridgers on a drowner.

Bruce, have you tried a 14 with PIT pans?

Never have

Yeah, maybe he just likes them. And his sets and techniques work with them.

I bet he uses offsets in case the water drops so he is still legal.

That makes sense!

There you go! Moved it over.

But look at the reviews that say it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Give it a try, you may like them. You'll like how easy they are to set, I'm sure of that.

Over from where? Don't you have your settings so you can see as many threads and posts per page that you can? I see 2 pages of replies on this thread.

Caught my very first beaver in one of those when I was about 13.
Probably an illegal trap in most jurisdictions today-they are here.

He posted the response in another thread.


https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/7472950/my-new-favorite-sport#Post7472950





He also posted the same response basically, on this thread also.

10 4

10.4 jaw spread?

Jk

In my opinion, the best #5 for beavers is the MB-750 laminated.
At least it has a 5 in the name.

Have you looked into the Duke 850 dave? It looks really impressive.

It does look pretty nice.

And just under $35

Why don't you wait and look at a few different ones at the ITA Convention in Washington Ia Sept 9th & 10th dave? Put in for vacation now and go on Friday instead of another yearly post on not having time to go til Saturday and all the vendors packing up and leaving. Get there about 6:30 am so you got an hour and a half to look at used stuff from the tailgaters before the dealer buildings open and demos start. They will be cheaper there. Probably save 1/2 your gas money in shipping savings.

Ya I went wrong thread, I have take look at Duke, long way off till next Sept yet, lot can happen between now an then

... it's called planning ahead, so when it gets here you'll have things lined up and not be stuck having to go only on Saturday morning, missing out on all the good deals and having to rush around to get stuff done. You can cancel or change plans if something comes up. Remember I told ya when its about convention time and you're back in that boat. There are people I know who have had their hotel rooms reserved for weeks for this convention in September.

While you're at it. Every week when you get paid take $10 and stick it in a jar. Just $10. By the time the convention gets here you'll have $300 to play with. It could be like a mini vacation, set up a pup tent, spend the night. You could have something fun to look forward to.

They warn not to set this trap under water. I would get the SC 4.5.

I have a #14 Newhouse that would probably be a beaver catching machine... But those silly stupid law things.

Mike

Ts-85

What is negative reviews on ts-85 about ?

Dave if you look hard enough, you’ll find negative reviews on most anything.

Some people like to complain about everything, they probably had one empty trap, one time and decided to write a review like it happens all the time.

Buy a few and find out for yourself

It's about weak holding power.

Just stating what it was about

Are they still making and selling cdrs? They are hard to find.

I agree. Make sure you get the setters that go with it.

I like the CDR.

Or they read about it here. Lol

Help me find it. not so long ago there was a photo here of 154 beaver.

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/7439024/1

44 B&L for me

Helfrich 750.

Impressive catch of beaver in adc post, so ts 85 have weak holding power the way built even with 4 coils ? I like the big jaw spread, price better some, spend close to $50 on 1 foothold beaver trap to much , 8.5 jaw spread would be good but not weak hold power, I probly vote no on ts 85 after hear this, if even a chance it true, want nothing to do it, 1 chance at big beaver is likely all get,rember last winter when look at public place for late deer hunt an was all snow in the entrance, a huge black look or dark beaver under bridge just sit around bank didle around when we t past twice on way in an out ,not try bad mouth but rember now, a vender had ts 85 also had colony traps an were junk new, real lite jinsy cage an wrong size of squares on colony but set them an rats would get out the colony trap between side an door , I complain them an got sent new ones an were told that no good an mistake

I haven't had any trouble with the holding power of my ts85's. I've found if my set is made right and the beaver does what it's supposed to they will be there. I've heard this complaint about them ever since I started using them. Still haven't seen it, and I feel I've put plenty of beaver in the truck.

Maybe there ok then, would be interested in 2 of them for that price, can't figure out why more than several complaints of sprung an out at terminal end of slider or rod, I have had happen more once with 3 bridger could that were 4 coiled, once this fall, unless they were set shallow an pinch beaver by chest an grab ahold chest hair ? Are they strong spring an fast ? It say 4 coils but in pic it look like 2 coils

Mine are half and half 2 coil and 4 coil. I like the 4 coil better because they are easier for me to set and it definitely speeds them up.

Nice trap.I have one also

Dave, You know how some people are, they just want something to complain about. I agree with possum63, I don't have any problem using the TS85's and them holding beaver. In my opinion, they are a good trap.

I'd try a couple of those when I can touch them before buying....hopefully at Cumberland s or Log cabin store

Looks like more cougar or wolf trap, on 850 s, are ts-85, 4 coil?

I have coil spring setters that old, I don't think fit some, u got buy speacil spring setter for different brands ? Why it's trap easy set by hand compare others? I can set bridger 5 without tool

TS85s are not 4 coiled...but can be.

I'm a double longspring guy for beaver myself. Blake and Lamb or Victor 4s are what I use and like, haven't tried any of the new companies double longsprings. Newhouse are the best, but I'd hate to have something happen to one while I was trying to catch an $8 beaver with it. So the couple I have are wallhangers.

Bruce T, I never liked those Victor jumps, but I caught quite a lot of beaver in them, would set them wherever I had any worries about Johnny Sneakum because I wouldn't be as broke up over losing one of them as I would over losing a dls. They work, but are a directional trap, and I like setting a double longspring over my knee while standing in water, with wet cold hands a lot better than setting one of those jumps.

It say 4 coiled on Cumberland trap site , so they are easier to set by hand then others ?

Then buy them. If them come 2 coiled, get on here and let us know!

WAY easier to set. I told you that already. They have long levers and weak springs so they are easy to open and set. Easier than a real strong 1.5 coil. That is the two coil traps. Its also why so many hate them because they are apparently magic and work great for one guy and the next guy can't keep more that 50% of the beaver in them. Hopefully, you'll be in the first group that they work for, you seem lucky like that.

Myself, I'll try the Duke 850 if I ever seen a need or have a desire to buy more beaver footholds. I don't take people's word for anything, I always learn the hard way, always been that way. lol

Here you go Dave,

Curious on the Bridger no.5. Why is the lamination on the outside edge of the jaw? Or am I just seeing things?

That would strengthen the jaws so they don't flex and still allow a thin sharper edge to better hold on a slippery tapered foot of a beaver.

The wide jaws on the Duke could be bad for holding power but it looks like spring strength may overcome that. The guy ain't too bright dry firing those cast jaws IMO.

I fixed it for ya...made it so it's more bubblier.

BR

If you aint using a CDR 7.5, you aint trapping

#5 long

Thanks for heads up, I heard enough already , easier to set then a new 1.5, an 2 coil springs , 50 per cent say no good, definately noway buy ts-85

Well if we are going old school, I have always preferred the B&L #44 double underspring to the victor 14...Just my opinion...

Dave, how many years you been trapping? And what have you been using for beaver footholds?

The TS85 looks and feels thin jawed

Dave will not answer any questions, Dave just asks questions...And does not read the answers....

I have used 3 bridger could alot, years ago I used 3 an 4 dbl with pan post or no adust pan, never got into 5s much until recently , except few used out shed an were not to good, resold , expensive big traps an usally every year around now or at least last an another year around now, buy 1 or 2, big footholds

I'd take the B&L #4 DLS...JMO too

Then I'd buy what you know and are used to. Instead of coming here and getting a tone of replys from several people and making up your mind without even trying a trap.

Same bs he pulls on itt year after year

Dave, Keep in mind some people might have really weak 1.5 coil spring traps. You never know until you try something for yourself. I think you should reconsider the TS85's.

What bs ? Just wonder about trap bfore buy a cpl , if sprung at end slider, either chest hair catch or poor foot catch on hind an weak springs power out, 2 coils an set easily , I heard enough, not get them

That's what I think about them

Then you will never know. Meet me in Chelsea iowa at Bruce Rhoades in March. I'll loan you a 2 cooked and a 4 coiled ts85 for you to try. You will still have a month to trap.

Well, I got a couple Bridger 5s coming in the mail. Biggest foothold I will have by far, I hope they make a difference!

I used Victor NO. 4's and NO.3 jumps , as that's all that was around at the time 50 years ago .
I love double long springs as they can be set on your knee.
If I was trapping today , I'd still use them , but would like to try the bigger traps of today .

So I've never used a dls. Everyone says you can set them over your knee. How do you do it with a 50 lb beaver in one? Especially if your down in the water? Thanks in advance

Just pull the beaver up on land .
Why would it be in the water ?
I've always used drown sets , and pull them on to shore .
Used to set 330's while in the water as the stake was where it was wired to , sometimes , but mostly pulled them to shore also .
Beaver like anything else is lighter while in the water .
But you just pull the trap up , put your knee on the beaver if you have to , break the springs both at the same time .
Jaws drop open , use your thumb to hold the jaw close to you , and then use your hand to hold it open while you set the dog .
Once set , pull the springs to the dog side and set it where you want it .

When you break a double longspring over your knee if it is built like the Victor or Blake and Lamb the spring eyes are big enough to let them bend down past the baseplate some, which creates a lot of leverage and you can hold them compressed very easily, you simply stick one spring behind your other leg and it is very easy to hold compressed, hold the other spring with one hand while setting the dog with the other. Newhouses and my Sleepy Creek 4 1/2s do not break over like that and are much harder to set over your knee. I've used a couple other old brands like Triumph that were built like the Victors, I've never had ahold of a Bridger or Duke longspring so I don't know how they are designed.

As far as doing it in the water with a beaver in it, obviously not as easy as setting the trap empty, but it really isn't that hard, all you have to do is heft the beaver high enough to get the trap over your knee. If the beaver's foot doesn't come out when you compress the springs (mine have teeth, so the occasionally don't) you just stick one spring behind your other leg and you have one hand free to pull the beaver's foot out. But I'm with OW, I usually pull them onto shore or the dam.

That's right , the springs will go below the trap frame , and it's easy to hold the jaws open with your thumb , while you work your hand to get a good hold .
It almost locks the springs shut .

Dad’s old #4 victor, still getting it done under the ice. Learned to use 30 years ago.

mb750

Yes!!!

The Duke 850 sound good but if set by hand, a trap setter need at $20, unknowen if fit other big coil spring traps , the setter

Not hard to build a good setter

There was a guy years ago that claimed he used Victor #2 coils for beaver and had good success. I never tried it but they are cheap enough traps. Maybe use 2 together at the set?

I wouldn't do that^^^

If you think about it though,,, lets say you spend $100, you get 4 MB750s or 20 #2 Victor Square Jaws - (both used trap prices)... so if a guy who knew to set 20 #2's for front foot catches on drowners (obviously), and the same guy who knows how to sets 4 MB750s for the entire season. With all else being equal, the guy would catch a lot more beavers in the #2's over the course of the season.

[/quote]
If you think about it though,,, lets say you spend $100, you get 4 MB750s or 20 #2 Victor Square Jaws - (both used trap prices)... so if a guy who knew to set 20 #2's for front foot catches on drowners (obviously), and the same guy who knows how to sets 4 MB750s for the entire season. With all else being equal, the guy would catch a lot more beavers in the #2's over the course of the season. [/quote]

Since you put it that way, I can see your point. I’d give it a go.

I wouldn't recommend old square jaw victor 2 coils for beaver trapping, , besides if everything but beaver is closed, u got be set a beaver size trap to observe the law

I certainly wouldn't say they are the best beaver foothold, but on a tight budget I think you could make a case for them. The thin jaws that people hate for coyotes, would be beneficial for holding a front foot of a beaver, I'd add a lot of swivels though so you didn't get twist outs.

Was trapping muskrat in southern Ohio years ago , set a NO. 1 LS on a muskrat house .
I had a first year beaver in it the next morning .
Had fun letting it go , it really wasn't that hard to do .
I personally wouldn't use anything smaller than a NO. 3
Not saying a NO. 2 wouldn't work , just that it's not made for that job .

I think I can still rember them long ago when fox trapping an coyotes increasing , jaws get torn out on some

There isn't any laws saying what size trap you have to use to trap beaver. Of course I wouldn't recommend a #2 size trap, but they are perfectly legal. I've caught and held several beaver in 1.5 dukes over the years in fishstick sets. Not ideal or recommended but they held.

https://www.kaatzbros.com/product/ts-85-beaver-trap/

I have caught them in 3 dogless bridgers which seem to work fine on drowners

I find it interesting the internet says the 1.75 and 2 are too small
and yet the 3 longs are great.
The traps I have are real close in size.

Then came the beloved 550.
Who knows the next popular trend.

He thinks its illegal to catch coons in the spring Chad.

BvrRetriever

"IFyou think about it though,,, lets say you spend $100, you get 4 MB750s or 20 #2 Victor Square Jaws - (both used trap prices)... so if a guy who knew to set 20 #2's for front foot catches on drowners (obviously), and the same guy who knows how to sets 4 MB750s for the entire season. With all else being equal, the guy would catch a lot more beavers in the #2's over the course of the season. "

Since you put it that way, I can see your point. I’d give it a go.[/quote]

------------------------
I'd Say No;

But if you do... have a deer can on video at each location. To set the misses and mess unfolding

Watch teachers of the night beaver Video before you'll see Beaver Do 5 other things than you plan on.

So you couldn't catch more beavers in 20 #2's than you could in 4 mb750s over the course of a season Scott? I bet you could.

If you're on that tight of a budget, you probably shouldn't be trapping beaver.

I understand that Jayme. The point I was making is the size of trap don't make the set illegal. My fishstixk reference wasn't the best. But if you wanted to you could target beaver with a 1.5 probably on a drowner legally.

I agree, but some people do.

Yes sir. You sure could. A lot of beaver are held in them and even the smaller #11's every year, incidentally.

Just got my Bridger 5cs, I have no experience with the "dimple dog". Is it best to file the top of the dog, or bend it up to make it hold a bit better (or will it after I level the pan)? What's recommended pan tension for beaver? I'm sure I could figure it out, just looking for pointers before I ruin some dogs!

sometimes you have to file the top of the dog so it cuts into the edge of the dimple. I think sometimes the dimple is too close to the end of the dog. I like 3 or 4 lbs of tension unless I am on an ADC job where there are kits.

That's kinda what I figured on the dogs. Much appreciated, thanks!

5 size trap, have not use lot, got 3 beaver in bridger 5 coil last spring set back an deep, bridger 5 coil are ok, I think a 3 coil is not big enough to target a back foot, if u are set back an deeper, got lots beaver in them set shallow an closer by front an back foot, just set bs extreme to look at again, brand new, never use, heavy duty tank of trap, when goes down, the pan, it get close to springs, edges of pan, fires a little way before bottom out, not sure if a problem with any sand build up by coil springs when pan travels down that get stuck, it is a trap I would want have a paper sack under it, keep sand out , heavy trap that sink in sand , looks like get a good foot catch with it

Those Sound Nice
I've never had those Traps

Yeah!

Look in comparison, bridger 5 coil an beaver extreme, the extreme look like outperform bridger , but need to test

I wouldn't target a back door on a beaver. But you do what you want.

Without raccoons, geese, turtles, and other non targets to worry about, I would target more front feet also. The way it goes in my world removing beaver year-roumd, I target mostly back feet because I can stay deep enough to avoid non targets. I probably miss some beaver because of that, but the advantages are worth it. It is a compromise for sure.

Ohhhhhhh back DOOR.

I get it.

Neither would I bearcat, neither would I….

In fact I would not target the back door on anything at all, not my thing.

The few that I have taken in footholds were #4 Dukes.
I would pay more attention to the effectiveness of my drowning setup.
It's not fun to wade in on a #55 beaver with an old golf driver because your state law doesn't allow you to put a bullet in them.

Heck, beats wading in with an ax because they pulling the drowning stake and you have a beaver swimming around on a 10' leash. I learned to make sure I had stakes drove solid before I was old enough to drive. A golf club would have a lot more reach, but for some reason I never had one with me while trapping.

Well, I gave up golf for a couple of decades, but since my driver was already encrusted with blood and hair I kept it when I sold my other clubs.