Home

Any ideas? First for me....

Posted By: Hills of Texas

Any ideas? First for me.... - 06/13/18 01:42 AM

I’ve trapped for several years but this is a first for me. A high fence ranch out side of town is having a coyote problem and loosing a few deer and exotics recently. Owner asked if I could puts some sets out and maybe thin outs some coyotes. Well, I’ve had tons of deer trip traps in the past but they have always pulled out. Trap just laying beside the bed on the check. This afternoon I was checking a set and found the cactus had been trashed and my wolffang cable sticking up out of the ground. No trap in sight. Based on what I can tell, there was a few white hairs on the cactus and sheep droppings on the outside of the cactus. I tracked him back a ways and it looks like a ram was pawing at the trap, got snagged and some how bound up the chain. Looks like he straighten out my j hook and pulled free. From the tracks I’d say he’s wearing a mb650 on the front left hoof. I’m hoping he will work it off his leg but I don’t know. Anyone ever had anything similar. Will he free himself of the trap or not. This is the first time I’ve dealt with sheep and scratching my head as to what to do next. From what I could see, he just pulled straight back over and over until the hook opened up. I would have thought he’d pull out.
Posted By: SNIPERBBB

Re: Any ideas? First for me.... - 06/13/18 01:52 AM

If the trap was tall enough to get about the hoof, it may of gotten a hold the animal couldn't jerk and go.
Posted By: Hills of Texas

Re: Any ideas? First for me.... - 06/13/18 02:01 AM

These rams are crazy wild and pretty good size. I’m just surprised he took the trap with him. I’d guess the chances of him shaking the trap are slim to none at this point. I pulled my other sets so as not to repeat the scenario.
Posted By: Yes sir

Re: Any ideas? First for me.... - 06/13/18 04:20 AM

I caught a deer this winter in a #3 Bridger that opened up the s hooks quite a ways and kinked the loops on the extension cable pretty tight before it pulled out. I picked up trap to reset it and the s hook between the trap and extension cable just fell off.
Posted By: Hills of Texas

Re: Any ideas? First for me.... - 06/13/18 12:22 PM

I’m headed back out there now to see if I can get a look at him with the binoculars.
Posted By: Hills of Texas

Re: Any ideas? First for me.... - 06/13/18 02:36 PM

That’s pretty much what happened, only he didn’t slip the trap. Went out to find a flat on my pickup this morning. Got it changed out and went to work. I’ll head back out this afternoon when I get off work.
Posted By: Taximan

Re: Any ideas? First for me.... - 06/14/18 04:03 AM

Sheep have a foot similar in shape to an antelope.Above the back of the hoof,it dips in and on the front,just above the hoof is an indentation,When the jaws hit front and back,it is locked in.He is not going to shake that trap off.He couldn't shake it when it was anchored solid and he sure won't shake it now.I'd get permission to break out the rifle.
Posted By: rpmartin

Re: Any ideas? First for me.... - 06/14/18 08:38 AM

Does the landowner know what is going on? Water hole, a blind and a tranquilizer gun is what I would try if its even feasible.

Sounds like your in deep doo doo unless he can sell that sheep hunt fast. Tough lesson.
Posted By: QuietButDeadly

Re: Any ideas? First for me.... - 06/14/18 12:52 PM

Any way to corral it so you can get a rope on it? You could get your trap back that way.
Posted By: Hills of Texas

Re: Any ideas? First for me.... - 06/14/18 01:19 PM

Yea, I’ve made all the phone calls. Going to wait a few days and see how it goes. There’s not any pens out there and the brush is so thick you can’t even see through it. It’s just bugs me to have had it happen. I was unable to find the sheep last night. I would like to get a look at what kinda shape things are in.
Posted By: traprjohn

Re: Any ideas? First for me.... - 06/14/18 02:24 PM

This is why many of us weld j-hooks shut.
Posted By: Hills of Texas

Re: Any ideas? First for me.... - 06/14/18 03:41 PM

Most of mine are welded. I bought these 650’s last year and never got around to welding them. It’s completely my fault. Won’t happen again. Owner still would like to have some sets out, I’m thinking a smaller not as well built trap, maybe a smaller sized duke trap. I’d rather a trap busted all to pieces than have anymore issues. I think I’ve still got a few duke # 2 laying around somewhere. Snares are an option on the fence line, but the hole get repaired as soon as they are found and hogs plug up the sets before a coyote usually.
Posted By: Taximan

Re: Any ideas? First for me.... - 06/14/18 04:05 PM

When you find that sheep,it will have one jaw above the front of the hoof and one behind.Waiting will not solve anything.It is not coming off.I went to smaller and smaller traps because of antelope and the smallest trap still held them if hit front and back.I try to set them up to hit from the sides but you can't always control that.
Posted By: Hills of Texas

Re: Any ideas? First for me.... - 06/14/18 05:38 PM

I was afraid that might be the case. There just no good way around it. There more rams and mouflon sheep out there that I’d rather not mess with.
Posted By: Taximan

Re: Any ideas? First for me.... - 06/14/18 06:40 PM

I agree.It's just one of those things that can happen.I had a similar incident with an antelope and a 650.The j hook at the trap was straightened out and the other was almost straight.I've never had to tack J hooks but I believe I will now,if it will prevent one more event like that.
© 2024 Trapperman Forums