Author Topic: drags? (Read 517 times)

fishdaddy · « **on:** December 29, 2003, 09:19:47 AM »

what are the advantages of using drags for fox?

thanks
troy

Asa Lenon · « **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2003, 11:37:42 AM »

Fishdaddy:
I use drag hooks and additional chain exclusively for the following reasons; #1... A perfect productive set location is preserved to use over and over again, i've used some every year for 50 years. #2...One can makes sets right in the edges of well traveled roads where they are as close as possible and most visible to animals using the woods roads as travelways. When a catch is made it vanishes into thick cover, hidden from theives and general passerbys. #3...I find drag use to be easier on traps and more humane on animals feet. Generally, most animals do not fight the trap very hard once they are hidden from view and feel more secure rather than being staked out in the open where they feel vulnerable. Just about any decent trap will hold animals and foot/leg damage is kept to a minimum. #4...drags require less time constructing a set and one doesn't have concern themselves with rocky ground, etc. Also, less equipment is needed to haul around, no heavy stakes, sometimes double stakes, hammers, etc. I recommend drag use for anyone whose trapping area has the entanglement to support drag usage. Ace

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2003, 03:13:35 PM »

I agree whole heartedly with Asa. He did leave out one point...its plain fun trackin them...and then some times its not :-D

fishdaddy · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2003, 03:55:24 PM »

thats what im afraid of

Asa Lenon · « **Reply #4 on:** December 29, 2003, 04:28:11 PM »

Fishdaddy: I don't know what the terrain is like where you are but if it is wooded with brush, small trees, etc. then you won't have any problem finding 99% of the catches. Few animals get very far and most leave a trail one could feel with a cane. If the trap is set in a clearing, then as soon as one starts to skirt the edge of the thick cover they will hear the trap chain jingleing. I believe a lot of problems trappers have in finding a dragged animal is this; when one buries the drag underneath the trap bed, the drag must be well covered and the dirt packed down well. Then the chain is carefully lowered into the next level while coiling it carefully around and around. Then the chain is covered and the dirt is packed for bedding the trap on top. Doing it this way ensures that when an animal jerks the trap, chain and drag out of the bed that the chain isn't going to get snagged by one of the drag points. When that happens animals can go for a mile without leaving hardly any sign. Ace :grin:

fishdaddy · « **Reply #5 on:** December 29, 2003, 05:26:22 PM »

asa the area i trap is mostly big timber surrounded by fields with some brush .
can i use a short chain ?
some of the coons ive released have ran strait for holes what if they drag it into a hole?

Asa Lenon · « **Reply #6 on:** December 30, 2003, 02:55:41 AM »

Fishdaddy:
Your area sounds like it would support drag usage quite well. For the drag hook to perform well, one must have about six feet of chain so the drag lies flat on the ground and digging in well while the animal is running with it. Also, with the additional chain the animal has something to work with, wrapping the chain around small trees, brush, heavy weeds, etc. which serve as spring poles when the animal is pulling. This is one reason drag usage is so easy on traps and animals feet, they can't soundly jerk without something their hooked on or wrapped around giving with the jerk. As far as coon going into a den, I have never had it happen or heard of it happening in 50 years so don't worry about that one. Coon and badger might dig a hole after they are already hung up but one just grabs the chain a pulls them out. I have had a handfull of coon, bobcats and small bears take the trap and drag hook up a tree but they seldom get above the first limb without snagging so it has never been a problem retrieving the trap. The only problems I ever had is when a cub bear was in the tree and the mother bear was lurking around madder than a wet hen...gets risky at times, LOL! Ace :grin:

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #7 on:** December 30, 2003, 03:51:33 AM »

Fishy, I wasn't tryin to scare you away from drags...I have over 150 on hooks. Now, I use no less than 8 feet of chain and often 10. I also got rid of all the twin loop I had, (sent it to an ole fool in OK Heheheh). But I'm in very different country than either you or Asa. The only two times I have had real problems is when the ground was wet and froozen and when a smart a@# coyote picked the drag in his mouth...both cases no drag marks. But, all you have to do is go to the nearest cover and walk the edge... there he'll be. In my country the nearest cover can be a problem but what the heck I'll never give up my drags.

If you are concerned, start out with more chain...the longer the chain the more hang ups and less travelaway from the set.

fishdaddy · « **Reply #8 on:** December 30, 2003, 04:33:11 AM »

ok im going to try them
thanks
troy

OldCoon · « **Reply #9 on:** December 30, 2003, 07:46:22 AM »

Ace Lenon spoke of making sets at the edges of well traveled roads. I knew a man who used to set the edges of roads. All his traps were equipped with extension chain and two pronged drags. This man's knees were shot so he couldn't walk very far. He actually pulled his van over to the roadside and many times made this sets almost from the van. He didn't bury his chain and drags the way many, myself included, would. He used to toss the drag up behind the hole and leave the chain exposed. To my eyes it looked horrible but he did catch foxes, lots of them. Also he took many foxes alive for the live market.