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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,293 Likes: 24
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,293 Likes: 24 |
I have dabbled in trapping for years, but this year after taking a transfer to AK I decided to go balls deep into it. I had trapped raccoons, fox and coyotes a bit, thrown some bobcat snares out too but I never got serious about it. Well this year, after catching 2 lynx and 3 wolverine I decided to buy some seriously high quality traps, instead of the cheaper Duke and to a lesser extent, Bridger (despite 2 wolverines being held in Duke #3s, 1 of which was just a toe catch). The first wolverine was literally lunging at me when I got to it, so I was a bit nervous about the trap holding, though it ultimately did. A few weeks later I caught another, and maybe I got lucky with this big male wolverine being toe held by a $15 trap, but maybe not. It wasn't literally trying to kill me as the first one was, but it had also been in the trap for a few days. He chewed every limb off of that tree, DESTROYED the chain and swivels and also bent the trap frame and spring fasteners a bit, though it still works. After much deliberation I had it narrowed down to either MB or NO BS traps. NO BS got the nod over MB, so I ordered a dozen of their Beaver X-Tremes since they were big enough for wolf if need be, but not too big as my primary targets are lynx and wolverine (also because I just luv beaver). Well, HO LEE FÜCK are these things hellastout. I have zero worries about any future wolverine or wolf breaking chain link welds or having swivels fail. Despite the Dukes working and me not loosing a critter in them, I am intrigued and suspect these NO BS traps will be well worth their cost. I am totally looking forward to this coming season and plan to double up on the amount of wolverine sets I have out. My one complaint (so far) is that the night latches don't seem to work right. I can't feel nor hear the "click", but when setting the trap I can lift up on the pan and make sure it doesn't move up, in which case it is set correctly. Maybe they just need broke in a bit. Anyhow I hope if anyone is thinking about upgrading their traps, or thinking about getting more into the sport like myself, that you consider this helpful. I most certainly plan to have success pictures next winter.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 Likes: 1 |
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,293 Likes: 24
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,293 Likes: 24 |
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,018
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,018 |
Great post. It's amazing what the wolverine did to that tree. I did a lot of Fox, coon and coyote trapping in the late 70's early 80's until the price of fur got so bad I got out of it. It sure was a lot of fun. Good luck with the new traps, and keep posting more pics.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 14,991 Likes: 4
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 14,991 Likes: 4 |
Bolts and nuts at the jaw hinges is a +.
--- CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE --- A Magic Time To Be An Illegal In America---
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,006 Likes: 2
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,006 Likes: 2 |
Boy did that wolverine ever tie that chain up in knots and the trap held together, can’t believe he didn’t pull his toes off doing all that damage to the tree. Good job catching 3, hope you post some more pix.
"I was born in the log cabin I helped my grandfather build"
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,293 Likes: 24
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,293 Likes: 24 |
Boy did that wolverine ever tie that chain up in knots and the trap held together, can’t believe he didn’t pull his toes toe off doing all that damage to the tree. Good job catching 3, hope you post some more pix. He did some damage, for sure. He was caught only by a single toe though. The skin was sloughed off, as you can see in the pic. I was amazed he was still there. I am not real experienced with trapping so we'll see if this was a coincidence, or if reputations of critters ripping their toes off and chewing their feet off are exaggerated.
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,778 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,778 Likes: 1 |
Do yourself a huge favor if you keep your Duke traps and buy as many base plates as you need to do your traps. I did all my dukes and it makes them a way better trap for hard fighting animals. I should have bubble tipped them while I was welding the base plates, but I got in a hurry and didn't do it. That, and a couple of crunch proof swivels per trap. That was the best advice I was ever given. Animals can really twist up a chain and tear stuff up Good Luck
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,293 Likes: 24
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,293 Likes: 24 |
Thanks for that. I do plan to keep the Dukes for lynx, since they are not too hard on traps, but will beef the baseplates up. I already did upgrade their swivels after that last wolverine. Their spring pivoting system and arms are kind of weak too. Any ideas on how to beef them up?
Even though the lynx season goes longer and I target them in different habitat, there is always the chance of catching a wolverine as a non target in a lynx cubbie, so getting the Dukes up to speed is not a bad plan.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,085 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,085 Likes: 1 |
Nice! I’ve been wanting to try some too, the K9 extremes. Seems like the extra cost is worth the time and effort of modifying and repairing other trap brands. I really like dogless traps. Although a lot smaller than what you’re running, MB is supposed to be coming out with a dogless 550 with a lowered dogless pan. Wanna try that one too. Keep posting pics of your line.
"I used to be a tired hunting guide, now I'm just a re-tired hunting guide"
"No eternal reward will forgive us now, for wasting the dawn" JM
Jared
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,905 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,905 Likes: 2 |
WOW..... That pic of the wolverine being held by the toe is unreal. But what impressed me the most, was the damage to the tree. I've heard and read that wolverines were bad, but I didn't really have a clue. Makes me kinda glad we don't have those things down here.
Good work TI
Old Turd- Deplorable- Unrepentant Murderer- Domestic Violent Extremist
Just "Campfire Riffraff and Trash"
This will be my last post! Flave 1/3/21
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,228 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,228 Likes: 2 |
Nice Ted. As with all outdoor gear, good stuff is worth the extra $$. Can’t wait to live vicariously through you next year. 😂👍
Ping pong balls for the win. Once you've wrestled everything else in life is easy. Dan Gable I keep my circle small, I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies.
Ain’t easy havin pals.
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,619
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,619 |
Tinman, I don't know anything about trapping but that wolverine seems to have meanfvcked that tree. I do know that winters in AK can get lonely so if you need a top I have SLM's number. Your welcome, Slave
Have Dog
Will Travel
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,778 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,778 Likes: 1 |
Any ideas on how to beef them up?
Besides the base plates and crunch proof swivels I put a weld on the cross frame where it is spot welded to the frame. It's only got the spot welds holding it together, and I haven't had one break, but welding it insures it won't break ever. And bubble tip the jaws. I had one of the ears holding the jaws break on a victor round jaw and had to weld it back together. I guess you could buy the replacement springs and a 4 coil kit to get more juice. I don't know of a fix for the levers. I just bend mine back straight when they bend. My victors have the same weak levers. I'm sure the better quality more expensive traps don't need any work to use other than opening the shipping box and setting the traps
Last edited by Ranger99; 04/28/21.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,293 Likes: 24
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,293 Likes: 24 |
Tinman, I don't know anything about trapping but that wolverine seems to have meanfvcked that tree. I do know that winters in AK can get lonely so if you need a top I have SLM's number. Your welcome, Slave Who is this drunken asshøle? PS, I love you're your COCK pics. Out with the 'slave, in with the, uh......
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,293 Likes: 24
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,293 Likes: 24 |
Any ideas on how to beef them up?
Besides the base plates and crunch proof swivels I put a weld on the cross frame where it is spot welded to the frame. It's only got the spot welds holding it together, and I haven't had one break, but welding it insures it won't break ever. And bubble tip the jaws. I had one of the ears holding the jaws break on a victor round jaw and had to weld it back together. I guess you could buy the replacement springs and a 4 coil kit to get more juice. I don't know of a fix for the levers. I just bend mine back straight when they bend. My victors have the same weak levers. I'm sure the better quality more expensive traps don't need any work to use other than opening the shipping box and setting the traps I have thought about turning them into 4 springs, and still may just do that. What do you mean by "bubble tip"? My google fu isn't too strong but I presume this isn't referring to bubbling my tip. Maybe welding a blob onto the ends if the jaw arm tips so they won't slide through their corresponding hole in the frame? My god this thread has turned dirty. I luv it.
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,349
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,349 |
No #9's? They are pricey but they sure do work.....I bought a wolf off the new owner a few years ago and we've talked online a bit. JR is a solid dude and runs a line up north
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,778 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,778 Likes: 1 |
What do you mean by "bubble tip"? . . . . . Maybe welding a blob onto the ends if the jaw arm tips so they won't slide through their corresponding hole in the frame? . . . .
Yes Exactly If you have some cheap traps like I do with the cheap thin frames and jaws, you have to spend money on welding rods and wire. :-) A ready to weld base plate is a dollar and some odd, so it's easier for me to buy em than to spend my time making any Clint Locklear has a yoofloob vid with a bent up trap that he didn't bubble tip " Tiny trap club "
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Joined: Nov 2012
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
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Joined: Mar 2007
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,293 Likes: 24 |
I have heard Alaska #9 is a hell of a product, but the guy seems to be backed up and not real quick in getting orders out.
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