Any trappers here? A couple quick questions.

Catch 22 · 12-28-2008, 07:54 PM

I'm going to get my trappers license and give it a whirl.

I will be focusing on bobcat and won't be using any snares.

My question is what type and/or brand of foothold traps do you like?

How many does a guy need to start with? I may be doing this with a buddy and may go in on these together.

feisty's wife · 12-28-2008, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catch 22

I'm going to get my trappers license and give it a whirl.

I will be focusing on bobcat and won't be using any snares.

My question is what type and/or brand of foothold traps do you like?

How many does a guy need to start with? I may be doing this with a buddy and may go in on these together.

Body hold's are much more effective/humane[kill instantly], do a google on Connibear's...#220 or larger.

StevenB · 12-28-2008, 09:51 PM

I liked squared jawed coil under traps. They take less time to set. Less soil to displace. I believe they cost mrs though.

As for number of traps ... no more than you can check every day. Alps. I noticed that after I had 20 sets out it seemed less like a paid vacation.

Ahhhhh I do miss the smell of skunks that found my coyote sets.

Dave Smith · 12-28-2008, 10:41 PM

You'd have a tough time getting a bobcat to go through a connibear, though it's not impossible. I agree with the coilsprings. I saw a lot of bobcats this summer- I think you will have some fun!!!!

Yooper Time · 12-29-2008, 12:34 AM

I would go with #4 Double Longsprings or the #4 Coils. As the other guy mentioned, the coils are smaller traps. I've had success with both types set on a large drag.

Team Rip · 12-29-2008, 04:38 AM

Hey, I thought you couldn't trap anymore in Oregon. I know we in Washington lost our right about 7-years ago!!! I have over 200 traps, #1.5, #2, #3, #4 and a bunch of 220's & 330's that I haven't been able to use for years.

I was always waiting and praying that the ban would get reversed.

Whats Up??

gottafish · 12-29-2008, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Smith

You'd have a tough time getting a bobcat to go through a connibear, though it's not impossible. I agree with the coilsprings. I saw a lot of bobcats this summer- I think you will have some fun!!!!

Yep My thoughts to. Works great for coon beaver and otter though. I like a #3 four coil trap with an off set jaw. That said what is as important is Chain length and stake set up. I like to use a long chain like 3 feet and I mount a spring in it as well. I make sure there are a few simple swivels and that the chain can rotat on the stake . this prevents Jacking of the stake and absorbs the shock of a bolting yote or cat. I actualy have held Couger in this set up. Let me tell ya thats fun. LOL Trapping is so fun and rewarding that it can consume all your time so be careful it can strain a marriage. The wife gets po'd. LOL If I were you id get 6 good traps and then add to it next season. start slow and learn.

gottafish · 12-29-2008, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Rip

Hey, I thought you couldn't trap anymore in Oregon. I know we in Washington lost our right about 7-years ago!!! I have over 200 traps, #1.5, #2, #3, #4 and a bunch of 220's & 330's that I haven't been able to use for years.

I was always waiting and praying that the ban would get reversed.

Whats Up??

No Oregon is leagle Were not bunny huggers here we sent them to Washington.

Team Rip · 12-29-2008, 06:25 AM

Thanks for the support....I really appreciate that you sent them over here to @#%#@# things up!!!!

It must be nice to still trap, even if it's in a back door state as Oregon!!! At least our fishing hasn't totally went in the crapper.....Good luck on the Willamete!!!!

Happy Trapping!!!

gottafish · 12-29-2008, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Rip

Thanks for the support....I really appreciate that you sent them over here to @#%#@# things up!!!!

It must be nice to still trap, even if it's in a back door state as Oregon!!! At least our fishing hasn't totally went in the crapper.....Good luck on the Willamete!!!!

Happy Trapping!!!

LOL, I moved to Oregon from Washington because of this very thing LOl You can to! I do miss fishing Point no point

rimrock · 12-29-2008, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yooper Time

I would go with #4 Double Longsprings or the #4 Coils. As the other guy mentioned, the coils are smaller traps. I've had success with both types set on a large drag.

I like these traps because they are pretty easy to get your upland dog out of them. Most pro trapper sets I�ve come across also do a good job of marking their traps which helps me see them and keep to my dogs out of them too. IMO it�s really important to learn how to mark your traps because others are out there enjoying the terrain. I don�t mess-up the set and get don�t get dogs caught, everyone�s happy a win-win.

In the event upland bird hunters do get their dogs caught in a #4 trap it won�t break a dog�s leg and I can get them out without much of a problem.

Ni! · 12-29-2008, 10:14 AM

I would avoid the conibears on dry land sets unless you're in an area you know won't be seeing any dog activity. If a trap will kill a bobcat, it will kill a dog, which is bad for everyone involved.

The footholds I have are mostly Bridger #3's with offset laminated jaws, baseplates and 4-coiled. They're good for bobcats and coyotes.

nunyet · 12-29-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ni!

I would avoid the conibears on dry land sets unless you're in an area you know won't be seeing any dog activity. If a trap will kill a bobcat, it will kill a dog, which is bad for everyone involved.

The footholds I have are mostly Bridger #3's with offset laminated jaws, baseplates and 4-coiled. They're good for bobcats and coyotes.

Ya that

nunyet

Catch 22 · 12-29-2008, 10:58 AM

Right on. This is just what I was looking for. So I want #3 or #4 size traps? I could start out with 6 or so which sounds reasonable for me to manage. All good info.

Any preference on exact models or brands?

There are quite a few out there and I'm pretty confused.

Chesapeake · 12-29-2008, 11:04 AM

Never trapped a bobcat, but trapped plenty of beaver, otter, martin, mink, ermin, wolf, a few coyotes, and some raccoons.

I agree with the #3 coil springs. I would also recomend the offset jaws, or the rubber jaws if you thought a dog might wander by.

Dont use the beaver conibears on land. You'll maybe kill something you dont want to. The 50's and 60's are great for weasels, and the 110's and 120's are great for mink and martin. The bigger ones belong in the water.

nevermiss · 12-29-2008, 11:08 AM

I would go with the Bridgers in #3. Works for what you're after and other furred critters. Hope you can avoid both the skunks and the possums. AND THE BIRD DOGS!

Catch 22 · 12-29-2008, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nevermiss

I would go with the Bridgers in #3. Works for what you're after and other furred critters. Hope you can avoid both the skunks and the possums. AND THE BIRD DOGS!

Yeah that seems to be the consensus around here. Shouldn't be any bird dogs where I'll be puting these sets. But I'll just be using footholds anyway.

The Bridgers are nice looking traps and are reasonably priced.

Bait Bucket · 12-29-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Rip

Hey, I thought you couldn't trap anymore in Oregon. I know we in Washington lost our right about 7-years ago!!!

REALLY? I met a young fella walking along Rt 14 last fall carrying two very nice male minks. I guess he didn't get the word!!!

rimrock · 12-29-2008, 12:38 PM

Last year I had a bird dog caught in a #4 (a #3 would have been fine too) offset foothold trap. Dog limped for a bit, but it was fine. Like I said it may be a bummer of a deal but nothing to get mad over either. Seeing a big conibear on a land set however would tick off any upland hunter; no reason for them on land.

An offset is nice for getting a dog out of. A buddy had his GWP caught in a #3 this last weekend, said he was worse off than the dog because the dog bite the crap out of him as he was trying to get his dog out of the trap.

Jellyhead · 12-29-2008, 02:21 PM

I'd go with Ni's suggestion.... #3 bridgers, offset, laminated, and center swiveled. Great on cats, easy on non-targets, and easy to bed and set..

Even though 280 conibears are legal on land, please do not set them there. Big conibears set on land are not going to do any of us any favors (especially on public land), and we need the hound guys behind us, not against us...

Good luck on the trapping, trap smart and responsibly.

Aaron

Dave Smith · 12-29-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Rip

I was always waiting and praying that the ban would get reversed.

Unfortunately while we are waiting and praying, the anti's are acting and doing.

fishbait · 12-29-2008, 04:01 PM

Sorry I can't help, been well over 35 years since I checked a trap line.

But I can tell ya, that NOTHING will tear up a nice 10 ft circle worse that a Bobcat. No question when walking up on your set. Be shre to ancchor your traps well, I would chain mine to a tree, BIG tree.

Get a long barreled pistol that will handle 22 LR and practice heart &/or head shots from 20 ft.

41houndhunter · 12-30-2008, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Rip

Hey, I thought you couldn't trap anymore in Oregon. I know we in Washington lost our right about 7-years ago!!! I have over 200 traps, #1.5, #2, #3, #4 and a bunch of 220's & 330's that I haven't been able to use for years.

I was always waiting and praying that the ban would get reversed.

Whats Up??

Are they for sale?