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Post by rambow2592 on Mar 13, 2013 19:48:01 GMT -5
I am new to fisher trapping and was wondering if any of you have used #155 trap on fisher and how it worked? If not can I get some other ideas for a trap to use.
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Post by woodsdweller on Mar 13, 2013 20:29:27 GMT -5
Well I would stick with 160. I was not pleased with the 155s had 3 still Alive in them.
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Post by Adkmarten on Mar 13, 2013 21:05:07 GMT -5
I picked up a dozen duke 155's this past summer, but only used them when I went up north for marten, didn't catch any in the 155's, but they seem like strong traps.
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Post by chappy on Mar 13, 2013 21:05:44 GMT -5
Took 10 in the Bridger #155 this season in boxes, only difference I seen was that all the #155 were head catches, also wrecked some pretty big coon in them. All were in boxes. Still use the 160 and 220 on the poles. Will be tryin the #155 in cages this season on the poles.
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Post by Adkmarten on Mar 13, 2013 21:12:25 GMT -5
Chappy- I tried cages this year, but didn't like them as much as I thought I would, so I am going back to the black flower pots which are my favorite setup so far, if you haven't tried them then I highly suggest you try a couple next year
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Post by papabear on Mar 13, 2013 21:34:48 GMT -5
Dear Friend, The 155 will knock the snot out of the biggest, baddest coon out there but leaves a lot to be desired as a humane fisher trap. While the 155 will certainly kill some fisher outright, many show signs of struggle before they succumb. In my opinion the 160 is a humane fisher trap. Regards
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Post by mexicantrapper on Mar 14, 2013 13:54:12 GMT -5
I'm not a big coni trapper, guess I just like footholds. Don't get me wrong, all of the advise above is great. I just do what works for me and I'm a dirt trapper. That being said.... I use 1 1/2 and 1.75 coils. A fisher is going to fight the trap a lot harder than a coon or fox so stake em good! The good part about using footholds is that you can also pick up coon, gray or red fox. Good luck!!!
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Post by deepsleep on Mar 14, 2013 14:15:37 GMT -5
For a beginner I would say 160, I agree with Papa Bear although there are some effective ways to use 155's on fisher. As to cages on poles ..... not so much. Much better ways. Cages are costly to make in numbers and are destroyed easily and there are some problems that need to be taken care of. Not impossible but a man could waste a season getting it right.
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Post by fisherman on Mar 15, 2013 13:18:09 GMT -5
I used to the 220's on poles for years, but was unhappy that once in awhile I'd catch a female that was alive in the trap. Have switched to 160's and no longer have the problem. I use the poles where there is the possibility of catching a dog, but I must say that some fisher just will not climb the pole. Although the 155's are legal on the ground, I don't think they are that great a trap on fisher.On the ground I much prefer a foothold attached to a stout hardwood drag. A matter of preference, but I like the 1 and 3/4 or 2's.
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Post by mole on Mar 15, 2013 16:57:06 GMT -5
Anyone ever use a foothold on a running pole?
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Post by fisherman on Mar 15, 2013 17:12:16 GMT -5
I believe that years ago, before conibears, that footholds were used on poles to catch marten and fisher. I also believe that was the reason for our outdated law about suspension. Suspension of an animal captured in a conibear type trap is not inhumane and the law needs to be updated to deal with modern trapping methods.
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Post by proratman on Mar 15, 2013 17:16:41 GMT -5
Interesting
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Post by mole on Mar 15, 2013 18:30:08 GMT -5
Fisherman is right about the suspension. They used to attach traps to a lift pole that would take fisher or whatever right off the ground. Walter Arnold and others of that age did not have body traps. .. Little History.
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Post by papabear on Mar 15, 2013 23:23:15 GMT -5
Dear Mr. Mole, I do in fact have several running poles (10"-12" diameter) that I set with a #2 coil trap. The reasoning being to catch a bobcat. Cats are reluctant to stick their head through a bodygrip and will simply reach or jump over it. While I admit there's better sets for cats these sets have purpose to prevent catching a hound......I have always been intrigued by Walter Arnolds "Hillside" set for fisher and marten. But after a brief attempt to construct one I realized a short, fat man has no business trying to attempt fate in setting up one of these death defying contraptions........I would also like to add to my above post that I am certainly not against using 155's for fisher as they are compliant with the law. However I am concerned about making a humane dispatch and possible fur damage. Regards
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Post by walshy0913 on Mar 16, 2013 10:34:10 GMT -5
didnt have much luck with the 155s except on marten..lost numerous coon in leaning poles and cubbies..and also lost a bobcat that im assuming was paw caught somehow in a 155..was not very happy when i walked up on a tore up circle and the trap and all gone..found scat and hair so i know it was a cat..terriable day..and another day where i had a fisher pull out and caught a big male that was still very alive..will be selling atleast two dozen of the 4 doz i have and buying some more 160 conis and 1.75 bridgers..i like the fact of being able to pick up a fox at a fishe set when you make a dirthole in a good area..i see other people did well with them but thats just my opinion
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Post by papabear on Mar 16, 2013 11:10:13 GMT -5
Dear Mr. Walshy, For a number of years I used ground sets that employed the use of foot traps with good results. I trap mostly public ground and have had enough critters shot by deer hunters with high powered rifles. Ever see what an '06 does to a fisher pelt. I came to the conclusion that a live critter attracts a lot more attention than a dead one........Personally I wouldn't reccomend using a 155 on a running pole unless it was used in a cage or box. Coon and cats both are notorious for reaching or hooking a bait in a shallow box chubby....you might remedy this problem by making your cubby boxes longer, also bending the trigger wires in might be enough incentive to coax the critter to stick its head in.....and most importantly, anchor that trap to hold a bear...chances are you would of had that cat waiting for you instead of running off with your gear. Regards
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Post by mole on Mar 16, 2013 16:06:35 GMT -5
Dear Friend PaPa Bear, Walter Arnolds Death defying mountain side set is exactly what I was thinking about. I have constructed them with and without a safety net.
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Post by coonduke on Mar 16, 2013 22:58:20 GMT -5
How are you guys securing the foothold to the running pole?
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Post by mole on Mar 17, 2013 5:33:32 GMT -5
I use a cable extension. and either a split ring or a quick link.
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Post by scott on Mar 17, 2013 8:12:17 GMT -5
Interesting thread. There have been a ton of fisher caught with foot hold traps on running poles. Arnold does a excellent job describing his style fo this set in his fine little book. Bob Noonan had a good version in his fisher book.
I really like foot holds for fisher. Used to use them a lot when we had a 24 hour check rule for everything. Now that we have a three day check on body grips I prefer those simply for the check time.
I know some very good fisher trappers here in Maine, way better than myself. One in particular told me that he used the foot trap on a running pole to catch ones that would not climb.
I took instruction from one of the best all around trappers in Maine many years ago. He explained that he knew some fisher would not climb but he was good with that. He felt that he would make no extra effort to catch those no climbing critters and left them for seed.
I personally really like the 5x5 for fisher. I have caught many in the 120. I think the 5x5 is superior. Not for everyone.
Scott
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Post by walshy0913 on Mar 17, 2013 9:21:56 GMT -5
papabear thanks for the response.i totally understand the fact of using footholds on public land with some not so respectable deer hunters sometimes.it sucks but its a fact..had it happen with a fisher a few years back that i almost forgot about..30.06 blew a nice chunk out of it and i know what cal. because found the spent shell 5 ft away..i found out who it was and confronted them and they just laughed it off..not very funny if you ask me..but im guna tune up those 155s real good for next year and maybe ill keep them..bend the triggers back..8ft of cable with swivel on the end..no more of the 10 ga wire..some deeper cages for em are in order to..i used same dimensions as Noonan that i picked up at NYS convention seminar..oo boy lots to do and cant wait for next year to try it all out
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Post by rambow2592 on Mar 27, 2013 8:28:13 GMT -5
Thank you guys for the information. I will most likely pick up more of the 160's for fisher trapping.
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