#1 jump traps for raccoons

[Bridger158]

Will #1 jumps hold my small southern coon?

[jim-NE]

Some people use them but I've never been very fond of them. I am not sure about on coon though. Even a "small" coon is a rather strong animal, with a tapered rubbery foot, and they can grab with all four feet on anything they get get hold of near a set.
The design of the underspring only allows the single spring eye to rise up on one side of the jaws, so if you use them do what I do with single long springs on coon and that is attach the chain to the end of the trap frame opposite the spring eyes. That way a coon when caught pulls against the chain and the foot will slide (if it does slide) toward the side of the jaw with the spring where the end or eye locks up on the jaws, and this is the side with the best holding power.
If I was going to use this trap, I would also use them on drowners only.
Anyone else have thougts on this?
Jim-NE

[Bobber]

I only have a few #1 jumps , and I have held coon in them ,though it wouldn't be my choice for a coon trap. Also, all the underspring traps that I've ever seen already have the chain attached opposite the spring eye. One thing about them is if they are fairly new and strong they hold quite well. Just accidentally snap one on your hand sometime while standing in water upto your waist ,and try to get it off of using one hand. :shock:  I have also heard it said, the if jump traps where still made, it would be intresting how they would have scored on raccoon BMP's ,as the spring uses up some of the space under the jaws when they are fired. I would  probably disagree with this as jumps usually have a slightly larger jaw spread than a comparable long spring trap and would negate this advantage.