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Post by sweetalker on Jul 2, 2015 5:34:59 GMT -5
Hello trappers.
I have a question that maybe someone here can answer. This season I plan on using a drag at a few of my sets and I'm wondering, how long should the trap drag chain be? Also what size chain? I'm targeting canines and cats and using MB550 traps. Does anyone think a cable w/drag would be a better idea or could a yote chew through a cable? Any and all responses are welcome. Thanks
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Zagman
#2 Newhouse
Posts: 2,186
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Post by Zagman on Jul 2, 2015 7:02:39 GMT -5
in my mind, the more chain the better......
I have 8-10 feet on mine, plus nearly two feet on the traps I use.....
The chain is more important IMO than the drag.....with a long enough chain and the right drag, you will often find your target animal tangles around a tree with the chain only....and the drag laying there flat on the ground and NOT hung up.
I would not recommend using those round rod, light weight "coyote drags" either way.....I use those on my mink traps.
If you have those, you can add some chain off the back of them or even a sash weight to keep them on the ground.
Still, with a long chain, those can and do work......
Good chain is expensive, but should be a forever purchase.....
I've never used cable on a drag....I think it would work fine.....ONCE. I think after you'd catch a coyote or cat in that set, once they tangled that all up it would be a nightmare deploy again at that set, in the back of your truck, and back at the barn.
And you'd be wishing you just used chain..........
All IMO of course...........
MZ
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Post by mole on Jul 2, 2015 8:07:52 GMT -5
I like Mr. Zagger's answer. the chain is most important. I use some here and just as he said the chain will be wrapped around something and the drag not hooked up at all. I have 10 - 12 Feet of chain on the ones I use.
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traps82
#3 Newhouse
Hope is always alive
Posts: 3,208
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Post by traps82 on Jul 2, 2015 19:52:07 GMT -5
10-12' for me too. HEAVY chain. And use swivels as well
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Post by sweetalker on Jul 5, 2015 21:14:14 GMT -5
Thanks for the info guys!!... I think i'll go with 10' of chain with swivels.
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Post by ron finewood on Jul 6, 2015 18:32:41 GMT -5
I use 8' of machine chain, on a JC Connor Tracker Drag---attached to the trap chain. There is a swivel at the trap, and the end of the trap chain, half way in the 8' piece of chain and one at the drag. So---4 -- in total. In my experience, a trapped Coyote always heads for cover after being caught. It sometimes takes me quite a while to untangle the drag and chain from everything it is wrapped around. I have lost Coyotes from pull outs, broken traps and pulled stakes---BUT -- I have never lost one on a drag.
Ron
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Post by sweetalker on Jul 6, 2015 19:49:38 GMT -5
Thanks Ron!... I'll most likely go with 10 ft. chain and 4 swivels including the trap chain.
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Post by jeckman on Jul 6, 2015 20:34:19 GMT -5
Thanks Ron!... I'll most likely go with 10 ft. chain and 4 swivels including the trap chain. Swivel as close to the trap as you can or as reasonable. What goods a swivel thats wrapped up not working....?
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Zagman
#2 Newhouse
Posts: 2,186
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Post by Zagman on Jul 7, 2015 5:59:14 GMT -5
Swivels in the long chain MAY not be utilized or swivel/spin on a trapped animal...and if I had a 10 foot piece of chain I had in mind for a drag chain, I'd NOT cut it to add a swivel or swivels....
HOWEVER....many of my drag chains are put together with a couple of pieces of shorter chain, so I might put a 3 feet long piece with a 7 foot long piece or something like that....even, sometimes, 3-4 pieces of chain to get my desired length. I have buckets of swivels so it was just as easy to use them as the missing link vs. welding them together with split washers or cold shuts OR with large calf split rings...
They certainly "can't hurt" and while I don't think they are necessary, I have plenty of drag chains that have multiple swivels throughout their length.....
In the end, the swivels near the trap/on your trap chain perform most of the swiveling need/function......
MZ
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