Ok here are some pictures of the extention set up I use on my #1 duke guard traps. I don't believe they are excactly what Tom uses on his rat traps but I got the idea from him. I think his cables snap to a prerigged loop on his stakes, these are my version of his extention. Tom can jump in here and correct me just how his are rigged.
But anyway here we go.
First picture if I had one would be the trap extented with two strands 16 gage wire. I still use a few traps set up this way when I have to but prefere not to mess with wire. Eventually always makes holes in my gloves.
This first picture is how I have some of my traps still set up with chain extentions. I got a good deal on the chain years ago when someone took down a bunch of hanging flourecent lights. So I've used the chain for many years and did move some to the new dukes. Thing I don't like about the chain is the amount of trash it picks up and how it twists and tangles.
Then I watched Toms Rat Trapping demo probably 10 years ago and seen his cable extentions. I came up with my version of the extention and it looks like this. Light weight inexpensive and easy make, add or take off the trap and don't catch a ton of trash like twist link chain. The loop on the end is a double ferrel crimped on just one side so it slide chokes the cable on the stake.
Next picture is another change I made a few years back when I found someone willing to make me 2inch snare swivel rings. I put these rings on the end of the cable so my stake can go right threw the ring and I don't have to messe with making the cable choker. By next year I plan to have all the chains gone and be using just the cable extentions.
Next we have the two cable ends side by side.
I have not yet had one of the snaps get tangle up enough to open causing a lost trap. I've held some pretty big coon that stumbled into these set ups. Even though I use them only for rats, in some locations I have to make sure they are starked to hold the random coon.
As I pick up my traps I pop the extentions off clip them a side somewhere, wrap the short factory chain on the trap and set it in my tote. Traps are easier to store and the extentions can hang in a corner or lay on top the traps in the tote.
Mac
