Trapping Tips

[TRAPnHUNT]

 I just got done reading the December 08' Fur-Fish-Game. In the "Readers Tips" section there is an article "Nut a Bad Idea". this reader talks about instead of welding a washer to a stake, weld a 5/8's nut to the top of a 1/2 rebar stake and just slip a washer under the nut. We all know that it's a pain in the ass to pull these stakes out of frozen ground during the cold months. This reader goes on to say that when he goes to pull the stakes out of the ground, he uses a wrench and gives the nut a few spins which in turn spins the stake and you can pull it straight without straining your back.
 When I was a kid in highschool I took metals shop. I had made myself a number of these stakes the same why. I do confirm that the reader who wrote this tip in FFG is very correct in his statement. I've been using these same stakes for well over twenty years and they have never failed me.
 Now not all of us have cutting torches and welders in our garages but most of us do know people who has this type of equipment. If not, go to your local welding shop and I'm sure that they'll be happy to make these for you.
 Just make sure that you bring the wrench with you when you go out on your trapline and dont lose it!!!

[RdFx]

Vise grips works better as the nut will get dinged up from hammering and wrench wont fit good.  Just clamp around nut or just below nut and twist and pull... been there done that...LOL... good tip.

[Bogmaster]

 The nut idea is a good one,but I still have all washer types.When making the washer type,leave a bit of the rerod,above the washers. This gives a pounding surface , a vice grips can the be used to twist out the stake.A lot of my stakes are over 20 years old,and still on the line.
 I do like your idea of a washer below the nut.
 Tom

[TRAPnHUNT]

Hi Bog,
 I'm in no way trying to take any business away from you. It's just a tip that I have read, tried, & passed on to others. LOL... with the economic down turn and the cost of everything going up, making your own gear may cost more at times than buying it from a dealer!

May your blade be sharp and your trapline full!!!

[S.E.Ak]

Damm I still use a forked stick like gramps showed me back in the 50's.Course now its fun and not a liveing.

[coyotero]

I took a double headed wrecking bar,filed the notches the nails would go in open more.I can jack 30" rebar stakes out of frozen Montana gumbo in a hurry.The nut and washer tip is a good one.Most of my stakes get bent slightly from hitting rocks while driving them.They are too hard to twist out.Bill

[RdFx]

yotero, i can emphasize with you on the stakes you cant get out.  I  have various stakes  in the northwoods  in the rocky parts of countys were  you couldnt twist them  or jack them up... i dug down to one , one time and i had driven the stake into a cracked boulder.... well i just left it there and used it  year after year ..LOL....  I did take a wrecking bar and welded a bar opposite the  hook and  it acts like a fulcrum and i can pull stakes or cable stakes easily as i care  short  2x4s and one 4x4 to put under as i leverage the stake or cable out.... saves the back so i can set more traps ...