Bridger #2 or #3 for coyotes

First of all I’d like to say hello. Long time follower and just joined so its my first post.

I’m looking for a little advice from the guys who run Bridger #2 & #3 dogless . I’m going to be buying a few more traps and my main target species is coyote with bobcat a close second. Is the #3 a better option if my main target is coyotes? This is for predator control on a 2k acre property with a coyote problem in Texas.

#3s for sure!

I run quite a few of both 2s and 3s.
Starting to like the dogless more, less moving parts. I repair a lot of dogs each season on my bridgers but they are one of my preferred models.
If I had to pick i like the 2s better. Pad catches every time. Sometimes 3s grab a little too high. But 3s have a big target area and depending on your set or dirt pattern that can be helpful to some in avoiding misses.
We have a ton of coon here and some fox, also badger.
3s are way too big for most of those but it is the world I trap in here and it truly is a mixed bag of possibilities whenever I set for coyotes. Thus 2s work better for me here but again I run a lot of both.
Pm me if you want pics.

Jim

I know you are asking about Bridger 2,3's which are good footholds,but I would look hard at MB 550's or Victor Monty's both are more money,$20 to $30 more per dozen???If you go with the Bridger's I would laminate and round the sharp edges of the jaws #2 Bridger would be the foothold for down there.

I have 11 dozen of the Bridger 2 dogless. They are stock except i put custom chains on em because I had them.

I did live market coyotes for years with full modified traps....lams , baseplated...yadda, yadda, yadda. Quit the live market and retooled with the Bridger 2 dogless. None of that stuff is necessary unless you're live marketing. All those mods make some trapper feel good and some weaker made traps hold together, but that's about it.

I use 2s here in Ga because of the jawspread law and due to trapping in hound country. Stock jaws are not bad on their feet.

If trapping where you're going to be I'd go with the 3s. No mods are needed. You will need to adjust those pans level right out of the box, but other than that they will be ready to go. Stock chains are fine.

Bridger dogless are great traps.

I use the #3 here in MN. Just for the simple reason if I have snow move in and cover my sets, a little more reach. Lately I just four coiled and laminated some #2 traps but haven't got them in the ground . A number 2 is plenty big enough for your coyotes. But the 3 will work also. Without snow I might lean towards the #2 maybe.

Either trap, they nearly MUST be laminated. They’re sharp as heck. I’ve put about 100 coyotes through them in the last 2 years and they aren’t good to the feet at all. I laminated them half way through about November and they have been fantastic.

X2

Good to know USMC47! Thank you for the information. Are yours 4 coiled ? I was a welder by trade for years so laminating them is a piece of cake but just wanted to be sure the issue you’re talking about is for both 2 and 4 coil?

#3's first and when I run out of them the #2's come out

If you're gonna laminate a trap that dont need laminating for those TX coyotes you should just buy MB 550s.

Sharkie, these are all 4 coiled. But….they’re also all offset. That can make a difference also. The offsets lock up much tighter. That may be why Swampwolf doesn’t laminate his. I doubt you’d need a 4 coiled trap in Texas. I’d also agree the 550 would be a great TX trap. Being a welder is handy. I don’t weld but one of the guys I teach does. He’s a heck of a metal guy.

I run 4 dozen #3 offset, 4 coiled, outside laminated, dogless Bridgers. I love these traps. Have had no problems with feet on coyotes, can be rough on coons. If the trap is sprung, there's a critter in it.

X3

I’ve ran most of the yote traps out there and I keep coming back to the jakes and bridger 3s. My personal favorite model is the I/O lammed dog on model. Old school I guess. The dogless has worked well for as well. Very easy trap to mod.

I guess that I am old school too. I have found the same. Jakes and Bridgers I/O

It's hard to beat the 2 or 3 Bridger dogless. Set a real heavy pan tension and they are very selective. Keeps the trash to a minimum.

I didn't take many pics this winter but here are a few. Mix of 2s and 3s, all bridgers.


Bridger 3, dogless




Bridger 2, dog on





Bridger 3 dog on, had to replace this trap after this coyote broke the dog. It was an older trap, easy fix at home. Literally broke the dog in half and couldnt reset it after catch. Replaced with another from the truck and had another coyote next night, same set, see next pic.

Broken dog.



Again, easy fix but for reset just pulled it and replaced with another #3 from the truck.





Bridger 3, replacement trap, scored next check.





Bridger 3 dogless, bought it fully modified except I removed the extra springs so just laminated and dogless 2 spring. This is a nice trap. My boys say I'm just old and weak, and catch coyotes just fine with 2 springs. When these springs eventually get weak ill put the boosters back on...but only then.

Another great thing about these Bridger dogless traps is how flat they are when set resulting in the easiet trap to bed stable that is available.

The bridger 3 has about same jaw spread as victor 4 long. I run a lot of my Bridger 3s for coyotes in winter and then for beaver in spring.
Work great on beaver.

Number 3 Bridger dogless is my go to here. Holds everything great.

I have 2 dozen #3 dogless on order. Plan on degreasing and putting them to work.

They have performed very well for me. Don’t know what else a guy could ask out of a yote trap. It has always been easier for me to bed a square jaw trap in waxed dirt.