Cat trappers, trap?

[steven49er]

What size trap do you prefer or bobcats.  Is a #3 the absolute best or could I slip by with my 2's.

[Jacktheknife]

Howdy, I was just messing around, looking for something to read and saw your question. I am not an expert trapper,                                            Five Cats is my record for one winter.  { My foot line}
But I have been thinking about traps and Cats a lot lately.                        Coons ...1 1/2's .    1's  are alright for certain applications.  As are 2's.
Doesn't hurt to have them all.
Coyotes ...I like #3 l/s o/s's  but caught a Coyote in 2 l/s's just  last winter.

          Cats ?  
                    Feet are big for their size.  But they are not as strong as Coyotes or coon either. Fast and sensitive, Real aware of their surrounding and all ears!  Well,  I guess it just doesn't hurt to have all of them too !
 But I am leaning towards 2's!!!   A lighter and smaller trap would be easier to carry, bed, to hide.   From a critter that so parinoid as a Cat.  And all we need is as old Woodcock used to say: "A few toes." cat's not being big fighters.
The #2 coil has the same jaw spread as a #3 l/s which is my favorite Coyote trap.  And can double as a Coyote 'gitter',   and  I was planning on getting some #2 coils for cats,  { All that is holding up the implementation of said decision is a general lack of funds.} ...  I think we all discussed this question last {end of trapping season}!  Size traps for Cats! \
           
              So to answer your question,   #2's  !!!!!

There ,  Same size as my Yote traps, cheaper and lighter and more affordable than a #3,
If I could afford them and was going to buy BRAND NEW! ...  traps ...
I mean new, like in a box you know !       I would go for ...                                                                                                            

                           #2 coil spring with off set jaws !

                                                    Thanks Knife

[Asa Lenon]

I always use #3's for bobcat in dirt trapping and go to #4's at deep snow sets.  Like Jack says, cats have big feet.  Some of the cats here in Upper Michigan go 40 to 50 lbs. too.  Also, a cat generally doesn't traipse and track around at a set like a canine so one better have the foot placed correctly to make a connection and the larger jaw spread is definitely an advantage.  However, most smaller traps will hold most cats.  Some cats are real fighters and some lay down and don't fight at all. At least, this is the way it is when drags are used opposed to staking solid.  Once a cat is securely hidden in the vegetation they generally lay right there. Ace :grin:

[jim-NE]

I have caught two cats and several coyotes now in little #11s set for coons at dirtholes baited with fish and red fox gland lure. No...it's way too small a trap for either species, but the sheer design of the trap itself affords some rather tenacious holding power. The spring eyes rise high on the jaws and lock in place, you can't force the jaws open nor "power" out of one unless you pop a jaw from the base hole assembly.
I use #2 longs almost exclusively for coyotes, a trick I learned from my uncle Fred. Same concept in leverage and design...only with a slightly larger jaw-spread. I've also caught several cats, and of course lots of coyotes in this size and model.
Based on jaw spread, and the relatively little snow cover we get around this section of the country, I opt for the smaller jaw spreads wherever I can. I wouldn't use anything larger than a #2 unless I have to, or I have a blind set where I want a bigger target area in the trail.
Cats have big feet, they leap and pull hard against the trap chain, and they can get a real decent grip on the ground and anything within reach with those hooked claws. They can grab with all four feet, like a coon too. Coyotes just lunge and throw themselves from one end of the chain to the other. A decent-sized trap that is stout enough to take the abuse of a coyote, fast enough to catch a nimble cat, and has a decent adjustable trigger to be set appropriately for either critter, is a good all-around trap. I have a good friend who uses #3 bridgers for both critters exclusively, and has very good luck with that model.
There honestly isn't a tremendous amount of difference between either model (not as much as say a #1-1/2 and a #4 in terms of jaw spread, holding power, etc,) so maybe try a few of each and see which gives you the better results for your trapping conditions, climate, average animal sizes, etc.
Jim-NE

[Buzzard58]

Suthern cats are a bit smaller but I still use my Bridger #3's and Newhouse #3's. Thats probally because I all ready own them tho.

Down here a good #2 would be all that is needed.

Now mind you , the jaw spread of a #3 newhouse is close to a #2 coil .........I just fancy them big old mean traps........LOL

[vttrapper]

I catch a few cats every year. #2s have worked well, especially the fully modified traps. #3s are excellent and I like the bigger kill area for overall land trapping for coyotes and cats.

frank

[bmtrappers]

I am a western trapper and we have big tom cats but none in the 40 to 50 pound class but they are called western lynx and I catch several every year and only use a #2 montgomery round jaw. This is also my trap of choice for coyote. I have trapped most of my adult life and spent 20 years for Govt using 3N longsprings. A trap is generally one of personal prference.

[Asa Lenon]

That Montgomery #2 Roundjaw is a great trap.  I do believe they would hold anything that happens into it.  Ace :grin:

[lynx/cat-trapper]

I use #3 square jaws coils or #4 double longs for cats...with our lynxcats topping 625.00 last year...WHY take a chance on a smaller trap??? In the last 25 years my BIGGEST % of  missing toes and hair in the jaws has come from smaller size traps such as the #3 dls victor AND the #2 Monty(still love the montys tho). In my opinion...with cat prices SOOOO high ...how many cats do you have to miss??? You could catch cats in 1 1/2's out here too...but why??? Your catch on the larger traps WILL be higher....maybe only 5%..doesnt sound like much does it??? OK..let's figure...I caught just shy of 40 cats this last year...5% is 2 cats!!! NOW from a monetary standpoint....2x350=700.00.....SEVEN HUNDRED dollars!!! :shock: (at $10/trap you could have bought 70 LARGE traps for what you "lost"..OR that's 350gallons of gas!!  :shock: ) You can use your smaller traps....taint happenin here.
later
lynx

[coyotero]

My favorite cat traps are Bridger #3's and Sterling MJ600's if I'm on locked up ground.