standard jaw vs offset jaw

[.17HMR]

I want to get some #3 traps for coyote and bobcat this winter but cant decide on standard or offset jaws

Does it really make a difference

Also I might catch an occasional fox and I know a #3 is too big for them but would offset jaws help

[trappnman]

Many people have tried to convince me over past couple of years that offsets hold more toe caught coyotes. After using a number of Montana offsets last year, I've become a believer. I had several coyotes- big cooytes- held by one toe below the offset. The gap allowed the toe to be held above the joint and didn't break the toe and allow a pullout.

 On the other hand, I normally get 2-3 single toes a year in my regular jawed traps- and this was the same last year.

A #3 offset makes no difference in fox- its hard on them. Add laminations- and its a different story.

I personally hold no belief that offsets are kinder to the paw- but am now a believer that you will keep a few more yotes with them.

[Macthediver]

I don't like to get to much into the whole holding power debt as far as offsets go. I do have a number of both regular and offset traps in 2s not  3s and all mine are laminated.  
I haven't studied what is held what isn't like some guys but thats just me.
 
One thing I can say if your are in farm country.  When you ask a farmer for permission and he starts asking about your equipment vs his dog. You may get a better response if you show them a offset jawed trap. If explaining the idea is less injury to animal it often makes them feel better about traps and  trapping. Then of course this means that you have to have more than that one trap and that you use offset traps on their farm. I'am not saying it will get you a bunch of land. But it can sometimes sway that one person who is wafling somewhat if they see you have the interest of their animals in mind.  
JMTCW
 
Mac

[mallarddrake85]

in colder weather the offset is beneficial, but if ya catch a non target animal, ya are likely to lose em. i personally like the standard jaw because i keep most everything i catch.

[coyotero]

I'm not a big fan of offset jaws.It doesn't seem to decrease foot damage as it seems,to me,the foot can move more in the trap.The one thing offset jaws does is allow the spring levers to come up higher on the jaws with the foot in the trap.On some trap designs this is a good thing.I've baseplated,4 coiled and laminated my #3's and #2's in the past.I couldn't see any advantage over regular 2 coil non-modified traps.I run 3 to 5 lines with 3 to 4 day checks.I just don't have trouble with foot damage,pullouts and toe catches.I stopped using screen pan covers and increased my pan tension along time ago and this really cut down on toe catches.The one fly in the ointment is,my favorite coyote/cat trap is a Sterling MJ 600.This trap has wide cast jaws and is offset.I wish I could use them exclusively,the thought of loosing them keeps me real careful where I set them.Glen Sterling says if you have one stolen just reset there.When the thief gets enough of them he'll stop stealing them :wink:

[pintaildrake]

if your are gonna trap in the winter, if it gets very cold, you can use standard jaws if you run you line very early. if you cant get to your traps at like say 2-3 am, you owe it to the critter to use off set jaws so that their foot doesnt freeze

[trappnman]

lets see- you have a 3/16 offset or thereabouts...a coyotes foot is 2 inches wide...tell me how an offset either reduces injury or reduces freezing? I don't believe either case is true and have seen no evidence on it.

I still say the only advantage of offsets is toe catches. Regarding coon as incidentals- in a bigger trap- Bridger #2 size on up- you get the coon high enough and I had no losses.

[pintaildrake]

it works for us here.....maybe ya just aint holdin your mouth right!

[trappnman]

what works for you? Traps?

[blakcoyote]

I agree with trappnman on this.I dont see where it helps in freezing weather,but can see it help hold toe catches.It also might gain you access to some property.But overall,if the jaws have a 3/16" or 1/4" offset,it's not really any different than a regular jaw clamped down on a 1/2" thick foot.

[Bubber]

In Oregon we have to have offsets on any trap that is a #3 of larger. For that reason all of our traps are offset. If this law was not in place I am not sure if we would use them or not. I probably still would for coyotes but we may go to a standard jaw for cats. I have never had a pullout that I am aware of on a coyote, not the case with cats.