Hey guys. I trapped some in high school so I'm not a total FNG, but I've been out of it quite a while. The coyotes and bobcats seem to be running all over us on some of my deer hunting places so I thought I'd get back into it a little. My son will enjoy tagging along as well so I thought it would be a good time. Where would you guys suggest I look for getting set back up? Also, when I did it before I ran some long spring traps my dad had. I see a lot of coil spring traps online, but have no experience. What would you guys recommend as far as size and long spring or coil?
LOTS of videos on Youtube of coyotes and bobcats...
Been thinking about getting back into trapping myself. Have a herd of dang coyotes skirting the property behind the barn. Almost live in town, not way out in the stix. Need to be thinned out.
I'm thinking some of those 2's coilsprings with offset jaws might be the way to go since there's a small possibility of catching a dog.
#3 coil springs, MB 550 or Mb 650 seem like pretty good traps. I am also using #3 bridgers.Offsets are required in OK, mine are modified or "canadian" style with laminated jaws and baseplates. Using earth anchors instead of the old school re bar stakes.
#3 coil springs, MB 550 or Mb 650 seem like pretty good traps. I am also using #3 bridgers.Offsets are required in OK, mine are modified or "canadian" style with laminated jaws and baseplates. Using earth anchors instead of the old school re bar stakes.
same here, love the Bridger #3 for yotes and cats. and with the heavier trap they don't seem to fight it as much and cause foot damage.
Beware of any old man in a profession where one usually dies young.
I use the new Bridger 1.75 that comes already base plated, center ringed, and night latched on my "Combo" line where I expect anything from Coons to Fox, to Coyote's. With the OS jaws, and the other mods already done at the factory, it's a great trap at $8.75! A dozen will set you back about $97 at F&T Trading post.
I also run the MB-650's for my Coyote only sets......they are serious songdog medicine! However, they will run you about $24 each.....but if you do buy them, make sure to order the setters for them as well. With 4 coil springs, they are a handful! LOL
I make every set for bobcat, aware I might catch anything. I hang about a 1" strip of linen on a limb near the set. The strip blows in the wind for a visual and I dip the linen ends in Wayne Derrick's bobcat lure.
--- CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE --- A Magic Time To Be An Illegal In America---
Trapperman is also full of idiots and blowhards, I would avoid that place like the plague! Its just a hangout for a crook and his cronies to play god and rule with an iron fist. The guys on the wilderness side are cool though, and they will give out good advice without just telling you to "look through the archives before asking a stupid question".
Don't listen to AKTrapper26, he doesn't know what he is talking about, right Brandon? Haha, just kidding buddy. Seriously though I would avoid that website at all costs, at least the main forums. The archives do hold a lot of good info though.
Trapperman is also full of idiots and blowhards, I would avoid that place like the plague! Its just a hangout for a crook and his cronies to play god and rule with an iron fist. The guys on the wilderness side are cool though, and they will give out good advice without just telling you to "look through the archives before asking a stupid question".
Don't listen to AKTrapper26, he doesn't know what he is talking about, right Brandon? Haha, just kidding buddy. Seriously though I would avoid that website at all costs, at least the main forums. The archives do hold a lot of good info though.
TMan's no different than any other hunting forum.
Most of the internet consists of newbie's getting bad advice from posers with a sprinkiling of truth here and there. You just need to use the brain god gave you and sift through the chaff.
I'm three years ahead of you - i.e. I did get back into trapping for the exact reasons you just said.
I'll share what I did - and what I wish I had done.
1) buy good traps, or modify the ones you have.
Originally I bought Bridger #3's for yotes, and bobcats - after modifying those I found out I could have bought better traps like the MB550's. THEN I found Jack traps - which are pricey but are the top of the line and best all around trap.
2) how many traps to buy
Originally I would put one at a dirt hole or scent post set - then I found out that it works better if you put 2-3 traps at intersection points where fields meet, pond damns, ... so now I do 4 sets with 3 traps each.. The first year I bought 6 traps.. not a good idea... Now I have a dozen Jake traps, and the original 6.
3) Bait - I keep the blood shot meat from my deer each year and grind it up, then put some dubbin's bait solution on it after letting it set and taint a while... all good.
4) Dying and waxing traps ..
Many traps need to rust a bit so they take color, and to dye them you have to boil them. I used oven cleaner to remove the oil they put on the traps at the factory, then after that's cleaned off I spray them with water & vinegar and let them set out in the lawn a week so they get a nice light coating of rust.
I then boil them in logwood trap dye, and then let them dry off. Once dry I put them in wax to coat them well - you have to leave the trap in the wax to heat up or the coat you get is too thick.
I do both of these operations in turkey fryer post.
5) Pan tension - 2.5-3 lbs of tension is what you want for yotes
6) Night latching cheaper traps - somewhat like a set trigger, it requires some file-ing on the pan catch, and dog.
7) Gloves and Scent - plus a sifter.
8) Disposable stakes - all good, I recommend wolf brand earth anchors.
I get most of my supplies from www.fntpost.com, but there are other sites.
feel free to PM me if you have other questions, and or I'll check this thread from time to time
great resource.
