Author Topic: #2 coilspring (Read 794 times)

frozentoes · « **on:** October 28, 2003, 03:38:57 PM »

hello all. I have a question for ya. I have been reading through all the posts clear back from page 14 to today to try and get myself a little more educated. i also did this so I would not ask too many questions that have not been posted. Anyway, I ran across a thread about the #2 coilspring being inappropriate for coon. Well today at my local fur buyer and supply store the guy sold me these exact traps and said they were the perfect coon trap. Did I get taken for a fool here? I paid $4.50 each for them, they were used. He also tried really hard to get me to buy the Griz getters for $20.00 each. I thought I would try some footholds and a half dozen 160's for my first sets. I cannot wait until this weekend when I take my trapper education workshop and get my license. I am actually more excited about trapping than I am about bowhunting, and for me that is scary. I already harvested two does this year so I have meat in the freezer. Ooops, got sidetracked, sorry. Anyway, please tell me what you think on my recent purchase. thanks. Mike

rascal (Joe Duncan) · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2003, 04:02:03 PM »

Mike;
In my opinion, #2 CS for coon is somewhat overkill. I much prefer the 1 1/2 for coon.

frozentoes · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2003, 04:08:05 PM »

rascal- thanks for replying. Will they work for yotes?

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2003, 04:39:26 PM »

Toes, I don't know squat for coons, that being stated,those #2s may work OK if they are set for drowning (Rascal, RdFx, T-man yes no?).

A #2 coil is a decent size for coyotes however not all #2s are equal.. What kind are they? How strong are the springs? If you want to be on the safe side, chain them short which means cable stakes or cross staking. A drag would be another option.

Bogmaster · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2003, 05:00:57 PM »

A #2 coilspring on land or in shallow water is not a good coon trap--way to hard on them--I quit using them for coon about 20 years ago.
If you must use them put them on a slidewire into deep water.
Do you know where Hudson is? I am located on the mn. side. Tom

foxtail · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2003, 05:49:21 PM »

I agree with Tom. I started out with them. I hated them. They were victor square jaw. The coon chewed out of them much of the time. The only time they were worth a hoot, was when the coon went into real deep water right away.
Like Tom said, if you have to use them use them with a drowner and where the water is deep. I really hate the victor square jaw and would never use them again for coon. Or anything else.

Bowkill · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2003, 02:45:15 AM »

I know exactly what you are talking about. I am an avid bowhunter, but I can't stop thinking about trapping. I have only been bowhunting a few times, and yet to kill a deer. I am so excited about trapping season, that I can't think of much else. I too went back and read every thread on this board in an effort to learn more. You might want to go to the national trappers association website, and from there you can find a few more trapping websites to pass the time. Good luck

frozentoes · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2003, 01:21:57 PM »

I am not sure what brand they are :oops: . They are dyed and waxed. The springs seem to be pretty strong. I do not understand why someone would sell me something that was the wrong size :x . I am also to blame for buying them without being totally sure about that. I guess I will get some 160's, I know they will be the right size. After my trapping education workshop this weekend I will then decide on which footholds to get. Chalk it up to rookie mistake. So much to learn. Good thing is a couple more weeks and I will have all winter to try and figure things out. All I am concerned with is catching the first one. It should get better after that, I hope, :wink:
Bogmaster: I have been through Hudson a few times going up to River Falls.

rascal (Joe Duncan) · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2003, 03:22:13 PM »

frozentoes;
Don't feel to bad about it. I bet if we would admit it, most of us have made the same mistake when starting. I know I did. Like I said, overkill. The other posts were correct. I also had to many loses due to chew outs etc. on the dry land sets where the coon was not on a slide wire.
Hang in there! We learn from our mistakes and although it may cost us a little, all experiences in trapping lead to a better trapper if we make mental note and correct our mistakes.

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #9 on:** October 29, 2003, 04:54:24 PM »

Toes, like the ole fart said we all make mistakes. Heck just last year I went to catchin Badgers for an old OKY, gave them special handling and all. What he do but turn around and tell me how he sold them for a 600% markup...such is life! :x

Now, you're not in all that bad of a way...you are going to try for yotes. Those #2's may not be perfect but they'll work. On the spring thing, this becomes important if, when a foot is in the jaws, the levers don't lock (travel high enough to prevent the jaws from opening). This is a trade of situation; stronger springs can over come the lower lever issue or you can tweek the trap design to allow the levers to travel higher when the jaws have a foot in them.

First off test the trap by placing a thick shaft screw driver in the jaws and twist the handle; if the jaws do not give you're trap should preform well. (A coyote foot does'nt hold the jaws open much more than 3/8 inch) If the jaws tend to open under the force of the screw driver you may wish to work on the trap a bit. One option is to offset the jaws...Or you can grind or file a slight concave into the outside edge of each jaw to allow the levers to travel higher. Do this a wee bit at a time (it may not take much) and test with your screw driver. If you offset the jaws you may create problems holding other critters.

Foxtail mentioned Victor Square jaws and I don't like them much either, but I have held some nasty coyotes in them. There are a couple types of these traps. Some have lower levers than others and there are two type of jaw attachment profiles; jaw tips turned out and jaw tips turned in. In some cases the lunging force of a coyote can bend the jaws, frame or both causing the trap to blow apart. The easiest modification to prevent this is to "bubble" weld the tips so they cannot pass back through the holes on the frame. However, if you short chain your traps (6-12 inches) you'll dramatically reduce the lunge force and most factory traps will hold.

Look at your pans, you should be able to read info as to the trap manufacture, most victors have athe trade mark "V" in the pan. Fire away with more questions and we'll try and help!

foxtail · « **Reply #10 on:** October 29, 2003, 05:13:51 PM »

Keep in mind that the guy probably didn't lie to you. Some people smoked so much dope in their younger years that they honestly believe that the #2 is a great trap. I of course never got into that stuff and was sober while trapping.

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #11 on:** October 30, 2003, 03:36:25 AM »

Foxy brings up a very good point; no not that trapping supply dealers all smoked dope, well may some did but you'd know ifin they have long hair in a pony tail of the like.

Maybe the guy heard you say coon and coyote and dwelled on coyote; you got #2's dyed, waxed and ready to go into the ground. Does he have other traps? Have you asked if you could exchange your purchase?

When you get settled in on your traps there are a number of adjustments that you should / could make to get the traps tweeked. Just howler!

frozentoes · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2003, 02:02:11 PM »

WC: ummm, the guy did have a ponytail and a biker looking beard :shock: . Very friendly dude though. He was knee deep in coon, possum, skunk, and coyote while i was talking to him. He even showed me a coyote that was brought in that morning that was caught in a 220. Not a very wiley coyote huh.
The traps are Victor's. No modifications done to them. They have short chains with a big loop on the end. The only swivel is at the trap end. Springs appear to be strong. I am going to give the screwdriver test tommorrow. I also will have to find a welder to weld on the ends of the jaws. I sure hope to get some traps set on Monday when I am legal. Also, what can I use for trap tags until I get the ones I ordered? That will be around two weeks yet since I ordered them on Tuesday. We are supposed to have rain all next week. If that happens I will be off work or have short days. No concrete work when it rains, yippeeee!!! Can you tell I love my job,LOL? Also the same guy from above told me they were paying $20 for decent sized coon. Should I believe him, or was he trying to sell more equipment? Thanks. Mike

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2003, 03:42:30 PM »

You will need to get some swivels on those traps for sure. Fot tags some of the guys (can't remember who) use soda cans to cut strips and write on them...wish I'd been that smart!

Toes, if you get a swivel or two in those traps and keep the chain and swivels to around 8- 10 inches or put them on drags you probably won't need to worry about welding. If you weld on the traps you may need to clean and rewax...welding odors and burnt wax.

You'll need to get Boggy , RDFx Foxtail or one of the other fellows to fill you in on fur prices in your area.

You should set th etraps and check pan tension and pan levels,. File the triggers and dogs flat etc.