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OP
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It’s been a minute since I’ve ran a serious line for coyotes. Had #2’s for them before the offset jaws or laminated jaws became a thing. Sold all of my #2’s and only kept some 1 1/2’s for smaller nuisance stuff around the house. I was looking at getting some MB 550 or 650’s or some Duke #2’s both staked and drag setups. In SW Michigan now but will be relocating in a couple years to the Upper Peninsula. More boreal forest type cover than mixed farmland like down here. Just looking to see what the going trend is for coyotes from those still in the game. Also any suggestions on the dog proof coon traps. Would love to know which is the best so I can get rid of some raccoons close to the house and around civilization without getting the attention of the snowflake crowd.
Keep your powder dry and stay frosty my friends.
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Joined: Dec 2016
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Just me- I prefer to use the largest trap I can for coyotes. Right now for me, that's a couple of old #4 victor and the #3's I have. I pretty much think along the lines of Clint Locklear's "Tiny trap club" video on yoofloob. Not sure what you're allowed there. I'd look at the newer Duke pro 650's if re-equiping from the start. A neighbor has some of the 650MB, and neither one of us like the jaw retention doo-dads or the spring/lever setup. He bought the regular setting tool to use, but it's a pain. I guess it's something that you just have to get used to. I guess it's like everything else in that it's what you want to spend and can get used to. I'm pretty happy with the Bridgers I have. The K-9 Extremes look really good, but they're more than I can spend. Maybe if the region's fur were worth something I might be able to justify the expense. I'm happy with the T3 DP traps. I'm told the Freedoms are better, but I don't know of anybody around me that has or uses any so I couldn't say. Never used one myself. The closest guy around my area uses the Dukes, but he has tubs full of them that he sets, there's no real way to judge his success rate because of the volume of his sets versus the pullouts, etc.
My unprofessional 2 cents Good Luck
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Joined: Dec 2016
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Should have also said that I use the regular dirt hole, dirthole ditch, scent post, just starting the pipe for foot traps Bucket for BG medium/larger varmints. Known runs/blind sets for squirrels/wabbits with 110's for stew/dumplins ingredients
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Joined: Aug 2009
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OP
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Thanks for the reply and advice. I’m likely going to give the dukes a hard look. I’ve heard the MB’s are a PITA from others as well for setting. I’m used to the old school double coil Victors. Before laminated or offset jaws. Traps I had as a kid from the late eighties. Still have three or four in the shed that I’m going to put on the grinder to put an offset in the jaws. Some bitch because the Dukes are made in chinka but what isn’t anymore. But, I’m doing it to keep trapping and tradition alive and keep the fawn killers and nest raiders at bay. Not sure what a far north Michigan yote hide would fetch. I’d like to tan my own just to have a little decor for the man cave. Any suggestions on self tanning solutions. I see the orange bottle stuff and have heard it does well but I’d like to get a larger container. Any experience with it.
Keep your powder dry and stay frosty my friends.
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I was pretty much in the same boat last year and here is what I can tell you.
For coyotes: If your state allows the jaw spread, the NO BS extreme are without peer. The coating wears like iron, I do not recommend waxing them. Just pull from box, boil and set in ground.
The Duke Pro 650 and also a very good trap. Simple and flat out work. Pan tension on the 3 dozen I have are all 3-4 lbs and repeatable.
The Duke Pro 550 is a great trap, same as 650 just smaller. Caught my first bobcat this year in this trap. It is basically an exact copy of the MB 550.
MB 650, I have only three. I bought new bolts and nuts for the pan. If I can’t get that to work to increase pan tension, then the bastards are getting scrapped. I am not impressed.
Dog proof traps:
I would not buy a Feedom brand anything. I bought 6 FB2 and the first time I set them, came back the next day and one had tripped but no coon. Upon looking at it the springs had deformed. Called their customer service, the said because I had set the trap, it wasn’t covered. WTF. They may be American made, but I will never buy another.
Duke, I have 4 or 5 that are probably 8 years old and not one failure.
No BS, I bought 4 dozen of these this year and like the looks and features (come with earth anchor) but I never set any.
CK
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OP
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Keep your powder dry and stay frosty my friends.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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You can't go wrong with the #2 size trap. This is particularly true if you're trapping in winter conditions and trying to keep traps running with waxed dirt. You just use way less with a #2 size than you do if you go bigger. I like a 4 coiled Bridger with a dog and laminated jaws. Nothing wrong with the Duke and MB 550 traps or the No BS Jr. - I just don't see a reason to spend the extra money when the Northwoods square jaw design is pretty much perfect. If you were trapping in the SW, the bigger traps would definitely be the way to go. I use both the Duke 650 and the Bridger/Northwoods #2 traps. Both work great here, but it's easier to keep the smaller traps going in freeze-thaw conditions.
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. . . . Some bitch because the Dukes are made in chinka but what isn’t anymore. . . . My personal problem with the Duke foot traps I have and use isn't place of origin so much as the thin frame and jaws. The few Victor coil foot traps I have are the same. One ear bent and nearly broke all the way off. The cure is a welded baseplate and welding the cross frame and bubble tip the jaws to take out the flex. The more expensive traps are pretty much ready to use out of the box with no modifications needed. I add an extra MB swivel on every thing I have. A small puppy dog sized varmint can really twist one up trying to get loose
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Joined: May 2012
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Campfire Regular
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Bridger #2 dogless for me. Never had a pull out or bent up trap. I bought a Duke copy and couldn't get the jaws level and the body of the trap seemed twisted.
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Joined: Dec 2019
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I’ve gone to mb 650 cast. Wide enough jaw face not to cause damage but strong enough to hold a tank. Set the pan tension right about 2 pounds.
Favorite set a variation of the pipe dream/hay set. I also like a simple pee rock in the center of the two track trails I run.
Osky
A woman's heart is the hardest rock the Almighty has put on this earth and I can find no sign on it.
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It wouldn't hurt to put some snares in your bag-o-tricks. Most of the guys at the ASSN. rendezvous use snares these days.
--- CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE --- A Magic Time To Be An Illegal In America---
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I would but there are a lot of guys running dogs here. Bird dogs, bear hounds and beagles for snowshoe hare. We have dogs in the woods from July training season through March. I couldn’t live with myself if I injured or killed a dog.
Last edited by brinky72; 03/05/24.
Keep your powder dry and stay frosty my friends.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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Campfire Regular
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Good luck on catching those coyotes and coons. I wish I knew more about trapping as I have a place near Kalkaska and plenty of coyotes up there. I have a friend that quit trapping for coyotes in the UP because he kept catching wolves. Have fun and get rid of as many as you can!!!
USE ENOUGH GUN (Ruark) and YOU CAN'T EVER HAVE TOO MANY (me)
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 46
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 46 |
I run several different types.
Duke 550's offset 4 coil Duke # 2 offset 4 coil fully modified dog on Duke # 2 offset 4 coil fully modified dogless Duke # 3 offset 4 coil fully modified Duke # 1 3/4 offset 4 coil fully modified
Bridger # 2 offset 4 coil fully modified dogless Bridger # 2 offset 4 coil fully modified dog on Bridger # 3 offset 4 coil fully modified dogless Bridger # 3 offset 4 coil fully modified dog on
MB 550's offset 4 coil MB 650'S offset 4 coil fully modified MB 650'S offset 4 coil cast jaws
Northwood # 2 offset 4 coil fully modified Northwood # 3 offset 4 coil fully modified
Got a few more i didnt list. I like using a cow bone for a flat set. Or a deep dirt hole 24 inch deep. By 2 inch around.
Fixing to order 3 more dz of Duke 550's offset. Some of these are used just for trapping public land.
Fully modified . 4 coil offset laminated jaws base plated and jaws are bubble tipped. Traps that needed factory chain. Replaced with # 2 machine chain. Then added 3 mb crunch proof swivels.
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Yeah, that can be an issue. But, usually if you’re in a coyote area there’s not wolves as the wolves usually run them out. If you’re catching wolves regularly it’s time to move.
Keep your powder dry and stay frosty my friends.
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Joined: Jun 2017
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I caught my first ones in Duke 1 3/4, 2s and 3s before I discovered the 550s. I have a lot of 550s now, I never liked the 650, 750s personally, and to each their own.
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I run several different types. Are you required to use offset, or is that just a personal preference ? Is fur worth anything there ? Nothing here worth diddling with except bobcat and beaver and otter. The bobcat still doesn't pay what a cold weather region cat does. Not sure about the beaver/otter. None at the places I have access to anyway. Last time I checked, coon were $3.00 for a granddaddy, and they wouldn't buy the finest coyote you could catch
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Offsets are required in some areas but are the more recent evolution of trap design. The off set gives a gap between the jaws as to do minimal damage and be more “humane”. I worded it that way as I believe close jaw traps weren’t really inhumane to start with. Some will argue that point. Also offset or laminate jaws don’t give up anything to close jaws in holding power and make the PC crowd happy. You’d be surprised how many hunters get butt hurt about trapping and will throw trappers under the bus. So, just get laminate or off set if you’re buying new as it’s the easy button. I have a few Victor 1.5’s and 1.75’s that are closed jaw and I’m going to grind the jaws offset just in case some granola fish cop checks my gear and wants to lecture me. I’d have to check the regs closely before I get back at it as it’s been a few years since I’ve ran a line of any real size. Everything has been a half dozen or so on private land.
As far as prices on fur prices suck all around unless you’re in Alaska for the most part. That’s where you can get money for wolf, wolverine, marten and lynx. Some western US states are getting decent prices on coyotes and Bob cat but not many. Beaver is staying afloat due to Stetson but that’s low end and you get more for the castor. The benefits are are in the predator control and knocking down the nest raiders. You can find a couple decent pod casts to listen to.
Last edited by brinky72; 03/20/24.
Keep your powder dry and stay frosty my friends.
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