Need advice on anchoring my traps

Hey guys, I’m pretty pumped on drawing my first bobcat tag in Wisconsin. I’m very green when it comes to trapping, so bare with me.

I ordered 6 new MB-550 traps. I also work in a machine shop, so I have access to welding/fabrication tools. I was thinking about making my own stakes out of rebar, with a washer welded on top. My question is, is that ok? I will be trapping in rocky clay ridges. I was thinking maybe 1/2” x 20” long? Again, I’m only targeting bobcat, but there are coyotes around.

Also, the 550’s come with that short chain on them, and what looks to be a swivel on the end of chain. How do I attach that swivel end to the stake? Do I just take an S hook, and connect one end to the swivel, and other end to a washer of some sort, and then drive stake down through that washer?

Thanks for any info you can give this greenhorn trapper.

I run rebar like your talking about doing. I buy the double stake swivels available at any trapping suppliers and attach those right to the chain. And I run 1/2" rebar 24" long with a nut welded to the top

ok good, I just found them and bought some of the doubles.... I see some guys weld nuts on top, and some weld washers. Why use nuts vs washers? Do you use the nut to turn the stakes if they get froze in or something?

Nope... I just use nuts because I feel they are stronger so when I pry them out in the winter the nuts dont bend like the washers , so for me it's just personal preference.

x 2 on the nuts. Easy to get a vice grips on in frozen conditions. Also put them down about a 1/2" from the top so you aren't pounding on the weld. They will mushroom over time.

Got it, nuts it is! Thanks guys!

You could always go with ten feet of chain and build yourself some drags. I make my drags heavy enough that the animals don’t go within 20 yards but I do pre hook my drags as well.

I have thought of drags, but I'm a little worried about the cat dragging it onto the neighbors land, and or losing one.

For you guys that anchor, do you drive the stake in directly under the trap, or do you drive it in a little away from the trap? I've seen plenty of video's of where it appears they drove it in right under the trap, but don't you have to worry about the trap then laying on the chain, and not getting a good solid trap bed? Maybe I'm over thinking it.

I go right under the trap and I put a little "pocket" in the trap bed for the chain to go.

With bobcats,you can use log drags with a heavy limb drag.I stake solid due to mountain lions but drags work well on cats,though there is also a chance for them to climb.

A lot of Western trappers use cable extensions to tie off to trees,etc..6' to 10' cables,depending on tree size.Earth anchors work well also.

x2 to both of these. I very rarely stake a cat trap, most all cat sets are on drags or cable extensions tied off to a nearby tree or log.

wolf fangs.

I got board and looked pictures up of “disposable stakes” I’m not a fan of cable/ wire rope bc I always seemed to end up with a loop sticking straight up in my trap bed. Second down side was I couldn’t reuse them unless I wanted to shovel (fat guys and shovels don’t mix!). So I build anchors out of 1/2” pipe about 3” long and welded the link of some machine chain to the pipe. On one end I cut the stubs at 45 degree angle. While the other end I cut a split down about 3/4” of an inch, then pounded it closed then sawed of to a point and welded it shut. I know it seems time consuming but I made three in about 10 mins. I had a bent piece of 1/2” rod welded a nut to it for a driving rod. I attach them with a swivel and J hooks. I drive mine in about 12” and if I hit something and can’t get all the chain drove down it lays great under my trap. With these stakes I can made a pulled to pull my stakes and reuse them.

Good luck!

You can reuse disposable stakes, they make stake pullers like these, or you can fashion your own, that's what I did.



Probably in the minority, but I like the cable stakes better than the chained. Make them myself, I like 1/8" cable, make them about 10-12 inches, super stake ends. I dont have cable sticking up in my trap bed, because I drive the cable all the way down below the surface. The reason I like cable more is that it is easier, cheaper and quicker to repair when you break them, the chains you have to reweld, splice together sometimes, cable repair is just easier imho. There's a lot of different ways to anchor traps, just gotta find the one that fits ya

I’ve used the 24” 1/2 inch rebar with nut welded on top, 8-10’ extension cables tied to a tree, and saber tooth drags. All will hold bobcats or coyotes just fine. I’m leaning more and more to the drags. Pounding stakes gets old in a hurry. The cables are great when there is a tree handy but sometimes there’s not one. The drags are quick, easy and dependable. Cats won’t take a saber tooth drag very far in the country I trap in. The coyotes sometimes do wander off 50 yds or so but I have always been able to find them.

I use this punch for dirtholes in our rocky soil. I also use it to punch a hole directly below my trap for for my stake and chain. Serves a double purpose to drain the trap bed when it rains.

lots of ways to skin or catch a cat. don't get a whole bunch of different equipment right off. go with your rebar plan. they work great. after you trap some you will start getting more of an idea what you prefer or want to experiment with.

Rebar, earth anchors or drags all work will on cats, I've used all but prefer drags as it is just a little quicker for me and we have a lot of bursh. Cats on drags will seek the closest cover once cause and definitely don't forget to look up if you have trees around.

All I use for cats are drags on 10 of chain. Simple lay them out on ground rarely do the drag move unless in the rocks on steep mountain grades. As so as they find cover away from set they will be there..
Hope you catch your cat,, however you decide.
Red