Stock 1.75 Dukes

[buckeye hunter]

From the discussion that was held on this forum last summer, do we have any field reports on using stock 1.75 Dukes on coyotes this season?

[trappnman]

Over 700 coyotes in the past decade with stock Duke 1.75.

107 best year in same traps.

78 this year- 93 total canines.

Those are considered ...decent numbers in Minnesota.

I like em.

[Wackyquacker]

Those are respectable numbers most anywhere...if you worry yourself with numbers.  

Now just think how many you could have caught with a coyote trap :-D
I'm just kidding, I'm just kidding,  I'm just kidding!  (well about the trap part anyhow)

[trappnman]

Now just think how many you could have caught with a coyote trap

LOL- I've heard that a time or two....


In reality- a new coyote trapper would no doubt catch more coyotes with a bigger trap- simply because a bigger trap allows you to make a few mistakes and still have the coyote there in the morning.    

As Bogmaster says "If you only have 1 tool, you learn how to use it."

And it does take doing things a little different to be successful using smaller traps. #1 concern is of course trap size relative to foot size- so guiding becomes critical. As does packing the trap solid.

[rascal (Joe Duncan)]

buckeye hunter;
  Don't listen to Wackyquacker-- he thinks you ought to use #4 dbl's for muskrat--says that is about the same as using a coni but drowns them quick as well :twisted:

  Actually, like trappnman, I use stock Duke #1.75 offsets a lot and have had no problems with them on coyote or cat.

[fishdaddy]

are the 1.75s good for coon & fox?
fish.

[Bogmaster]

While #1 1/2 coils will work fine for fox and coon, 1.75s are a good compromise when coyote,fox and coon are to be taken from the same trap. Tom

[rascal (Joe Duncan)]

Tom;
  I do use the 1.75 offsets on sets where I may catch different species.  However, I have had a little problem with some damage to grey fox when using the trap.  Sometimes a high leg catch and to much damage to sell to the taxidermy trade.   If it is a set that is only for greys or coon where I know I won't take coyote, I am also in favor of the 1 1/2.

[Wackyquacker]

I realize this post was on stock traps but...Joe I laminated all my coils this year and it really made a difference on foot damge check out this grey.


All my traps are offset by law.

[wormbobskey]

I picked up a dozen Duke 1.75's with the regular jaws and thought I had a pretty good trap without having to modify it. Set the pan tension, boiled, dyed and waxed them, than set them for fox. First red fox I caught the trap was very rough on it. Switched to #2 offset dukes and things were a lot better, but still not that good to the fox. Now on coyotes (with a few modifications) they were very impressive. I have since switched to #3 dls, base-plated on long drags. These traps are bigger, which in my limited opinion, makes them easier to bed than the smaller coil springs. I will be the first to admit that they will not replace the coil springs, but are an excellent back up. Just my 2-cents, Worm.

[Bogmaster]

Worm,what is the outside jawspread on your #3 longs?
 Tom

[wormbobskey]

Tom, jaw spread from loose jaw to dog is 5 1/2" jaw end to jaw end is 5 3/16. My basic set up is cast jawed #3, base plated center swiveled, swivel coming off of D-ring, 6' of 2/0  chain with in line swivel every 2' with 2 prong drag. 1 foot from trap is a heavy duty shock spring that came off of my kids trampolien after they destoried it. This is a very heavy rig and coyote will tangle pretty fast. Oh and you might want to turn up the jaw ends as well, but base- plating will usually keep the jaws from moving much. :grin: