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Offline Bogmaster

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THE RIGHT TRAP
« on: February 04, 2006, 06:40:09 AM »
The question of trap sizes comes up on a regular basis.Can I use a #160,#220,or a #11/2 or #2 for beaver.
 Can I use a small trap on coyotes?
 Most trappers,especially our new trappers,try to get by with what they have or what is of the least cost.This is a very big mistake.By trying to get by with the wrong traps,you are actually costing yourself money.An awful lot of animals are missed or easily pull out of traps that are to small.Not only have you lost a furbearer,you have educated them ,as to what a trap is.This only makes them harder to catch.
 There is no trap made,that is right for each and every animal.That is why,different sized traps are made.
 For Beaver--go with the #330,a#280 is a fair beaver trap,but you will have some refusals by large beavers.When I used 280s at my castor mounds,I had a large number of beaver,that tried to climb over them.The best move I ever made ,was to go to the 330s.
 A #3 is the smallest that should be used ,as far as footholds go--for beavers.And these are for a front foot catch,only.The beavers large hind feet,make this a very ineffective trap for hind feet.
 For back foot catches,go with nothing smaller than a #4,the 71/2 inch jawspread traps  are even better.
 You owe it to the animals you trap,and yourself to use the right sized traps.
 I will soon make another post on trap sizes for other furbearing animals.
 Tom
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Offline KYBOY

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THE RIGHT TRAP
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2006, 02:17:09 PM »
Good post 8)  I agree, I lost a lot of yotes trying to double my fox traps as yote traps :roll:  Thiers no such thing as one size does it all. Like anything else, use the right tool for the job and the end result will be much better.
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Offline Wackyquacker

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THE RIGHT TRAP
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2006, 05:43:11 AM »
I would not disagree with Boggy on any of his comments; but I would like to extend the discussion just a bit.  "We owe it to the animal..."  this is a critical point and frankly if you don't agree maybe you should take up table tennis or TV.  

On the issue of one size fits all, of course not.  But in some situations smaller traps can be made to work and possibly represent a good solution.  For example, an offset, laminated and baseplated / bubble welded 1.5 will hold coyotes and be easy on Fox; just ask Ron Legget.  Is this the best coyote trap? No.  Is is cost effective? Probably not.  Is it a good solution for the fox trapper that runs into a few coyotes?  Could be.  Is a 1.75 a better solution?  For the coyote issue yes but for the fox side of things maybe not as good.  What about a laminated 1.75?  This would be better for both critters  but your back to cost effectiveness.  What about a #2 of #3 with lots of pan tension to exclude the smaller critters? This is a possiblity also but then there is the cost issue.

My point is each trapper should be thinking things through completely and making their choices based on what is best for the animals they will be catching.
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