Author Topic: Who uses Old traps for nostalgia reasons? (Read 963 times)

330-Trapper · « **on:** February 15, 2006, 12:44:28 PM »

Does anyone use older traps like the #4 Jump or even the #14 Jump (in the states that allow it) ?

I'm using some traps bordering on Antique this spring for nostalgia (spelling)? on just a few sets... don't know why but these Older strong Jumps intrigue me.

Bogmaster · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2006, 03:09:14 PM »

I quit using footholds for beaver several years ago.
But the #14 jump,was one of my favorite beaver traps.If you look in the next TPC magazine,there just may be a picture of me using one of them.From years ago.
Tom

fishadict · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2006, 03:41:12 PM »

Tom - How many years ago - LOL.

I have some Newhouse that I would like to use for coyote, but a cat release would be very difficult.

fa

Bogmaster · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2006, 03:50:49 PM »

Fish,seems like yesterday---sad part is --about 25 years ago.
Tom

Asa Lenon · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2006, 03:11:45 AM »

I still use the #4 jumps. In my opinion, there was no better trap ever made for Winter trapping in deep snow. When bedded soundly they will jump right through several inches of new snow to make a good paw hold. Ace

330-Trapper · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2006, 10:44:12 AM »

Asa, I wish that companies woud do re-makes of their classics... I'd love to buy a couple dozen #4's

Here we can still use the #14's for beaver

Asa Lenon · « **Reply #6 on:** February 16, 2006, 02:02:25 PM »

330-Trapper:
Its not unusual in my area to find older style traps like jumps that are like new. A lot of the old timers used them for bounty trapping and when the bounty ended here in 1979 the old times kept those traps dyed, waxed and in perfect condition until they passed and then the traps are sold by the family. I even come across the #4 1/2 Newhouse traps now and then that the old wolfers kept for beaver trapping.
Ace

330-Trapper · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2006, 11:05:55 AM »

I've bought a few #14's on ebay... just want a few to lay out on the spring beaver line this year... and to pass down to Grandkids someday.

I use mostly 330's and MB750's along with some 660's but I just want to lay down some Jumps just for fun... they are a good trap for where you need a leghold.

My first Beaver trap was a #4 Jump, so it's more of a "take-me-back" thing!

Newt · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2006, 12:28:59 PM »

I use Double Long Spring traps all the time.
Why ?
Because they work for me.

I had the chance last year, up in Maine to use some of my #4 1/2 Newhouse on Otter.

Glad nobody stole'm!

I also like set'n my #15's for bear. The new Coil spring bear traps.Just dont have "IT". For me

330-Trapper · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2006, 12:40:25 PM »

Newt, are you trapping bear in Maine???

Newt · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2006, 03:37:12 PM »

Not now ! They'r den'n.And it's COLD up there. I'm trap'n in North Carolina.Got up to 70 today. I like IT

330-Trapper · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2006, 07:01:08 PM »

I didn't mean were you trappin bear "NOW" I know there denned up... I meant when you trap bear- was it in Maine?... because I thought that maine was the only state left that you could actually trap black bear.

Newt · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2006, 01:43:11 AM »

Asa Lenon · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2006, 03:27:00 AM »

I agree with Newt, its hard to beat a dbls trap. That is what i've always used for most set applicatuions. However, I always liked the compact jumps for slipping in snow sets, trails sets or blind scent sets where one would want as little disturbance as possible. I always read on the forum about all the destroyed traps by coyotes and bobcats but I don't ever recall in thousands of catches any animal destroying or pulling out of a dbls trap unless they pulled out because of a toe tip hold. Ace

jim-NE · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2006, 02:53:19 AM »

Hey all!

Sorry haven't been on here for a bit. Saw some new members come on recently, and that was neat to see.
Still using a lot of dbl longs here myself, some of mine are definitely old, though certainly not "stock" or all original. I have several diamonds and triumphs that have been beefed up and new springs or beefer springs added, base plates, laminations, etc. Wow, you can really tell "quality" too when you own a certain brand or two and happen to have models produced across various years of production, too. I have some old victor #3s I break out for coyote once and awhile, and they are every bit as stout as when they were new (many years ago). That must have been a good quality production year, as I have used and reused these particular ones many times over. The jaws seem a bit thicker, the springs seem nice and strong, etc. Then I have other ones, same size and make, but maybe produced in a different production year? Those had to have beefers added, and the jaws and bases seem like they are not as thick or strong, like the quality was sacrificed a bit maybe to save production costs. Who knows, I just notice that there seem to be certain production years that were definitely better than others, and that seems to hold true for many brands and sizes in my collection over the years.
I've just always like double longs, but for me its not as much nastolgic but more economic and convenience...bought a bunch of these for a song 20+ years ago, and inherited some from friends and relatives here and there. I also spent a little time and money on them over the years, and hey, they still work. I run 2-3 dozen #2s and #3s for coyote, fox, and cat each year. I have a lot of #4 longs I use for beaver (though I've learned a thing or two from Mr. Bogmaster and am convinced what an efficient mechanism the #330 is on beaver). I run a lot of coils too, and I am certainly by no stretch a pro or an expert on trapping. I like each in certain settings and for certain species. There seems to be a world of difference in quality among the coil makes also.
I have a ton of #1 longs, many very old, but again most have been updated with springs, beefers, new chains, swivels, end attachments, etc. to make them a bit better. #1 longs were cheap at swap meets for many years, and I stocked up and then read up on how to improve them. I like how I have them set up now, and they work well for me on rats, mink, and coon. There's a lot of history in the #1 model, too.
I wouldn't trade my #11s for coon, or anything else that gets into those tenacious little traps. I have held every critter available in this area in them, including big game like coyote, cats, and beaver.
Yep, longsprings are great. I use a lot of coils, too. But nothing like breaking open a double long...there's definitely a sense of some heritage carried forward when using them.
Jim-NE

minker · « **Reply #15 on:** February 26, 2006, 04:01:04 PM »

yep i drag out some of the old stuff and use it for kicks once and a while. #3 newhouse and #3n's for yotes , # 44 b & l d.l.s. and #4 newhouse for beavers , #4 jumps too. wish i could try my #14 jumps for beaver but we can't use traps with teeth here. used a few #215 x triumph triple clutches, # 21 diamond double jaw and #81 1/2 and #91 1/2 newhouses for mink , rat and coon sets .i've thought about using my 4 1/2 newhouse for beaver but never have . i hope to use my #15 newhouse someday to trap a bear with in maine. mark

skidway · « **Reply #16 on:** February 27, 2006, 01:41:08 AM »

You would be wise to leave the 81 1/2's in the shed. WAY to valuable to take the chance of losing to some crook.