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Post by J.P. Wilson on Apr 3, 2012 20:18:25 GMT -5
I just made the switch from berk disposables to wolf fangs. I'll be using them for all predators, beavers, otters and everything else. I've always used 3/32 but, it seems to wear fairly quickly after driving, pulling, redriving and than repeating that process. Would 1/8 in. be overkill?
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Post by bballou on Apr 3, 2012 20:19:39 GMT -5
NO ----thats all I use.
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Post by brandonh on Apr 3, 2012 20:20:21 GMT -5
not overkill at all.. worth the exta couple cents IMO
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Post by jimd on Apr 3, 2012 20:27:34 GMT -5
go with #2 machine chain. Much better than any cable
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Post by milkie62 on Apr 3, 2012 21:42:34 GMT -5
jimd--maybe you should have a sample of cable stakes vs chain stakes at your booth.been seeing alot more chain stake recommendations.I also use a small chain breaker from harbor freight and it works like a charm.Only 8 bucks on sale.
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Post by jimd on Apr 3, 2012 22:08:19 GMT -5
I plan on making super stakes and wolf fangs, both with cable and chain , for the fenner rondy. More and more people are going to chains this year. orders have been up so I'll be stocking more this year.
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Post by Itrapny on Apr 4, 2012 11:21:18 GMT -5
Wasn't reduction in weight one of the main benefits of using cable stakes I know that they have increased holding power over rebar...but how many cables have you guys have broken???
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Post by bballou on Apr 4, 2012 12:09:30 GMT -5
I have never had an animal break a cable ----pulling on it---BUT I have had a few chew them onto two pieces-----Like I said I use !/8 inch----IMO there are a lot of advantages useing 1/8 in. cable over a smaller cable ----- Like Wayne said ---I belive the weight is the first reason to use cable -----Useing chain make no sence to me for several reasons-----I am sure if anyone thinks about it for a few minutes they will see the major flaw in chain --- IMO.
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Post by jimd on Apr 4, 2012 13:03:09 GMT -5
I dont trap for alot of coyotes but I have been using the same cable stakes for about 8 or 10 yrs and so far I have never broke or damaged any cables yet. i'm actually surprised when people say the coyotes chew the cables. I've never had a cable get exposed enough so a coyote could bite it.
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Post by ztbowtech on Apr 4, 2012 13:15:24 GMT -5
Jim i would buy some chain superstakes
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Post by jimd on Apr 4, 2012 14:11:34 GMT -5
Zane, do you think you will make it to the fenner fur rondy ? If not, I can ship them or bring them to little valley convention. I'm planning to order lots of bridger and MB traps along with other supplies soon so I'll have time to assemble stakes before fenner.
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Post by J.P. Wilson on Apr 4, 2012 15:07:21 GMT -5
What do you guys like for length? i've always used 15 inch length but i'm hearing more about 18 in. any thoughts?
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Post by Itrapny on Apr 4, 2012 15:17:21 GMT -5
I use 12", 15" and 18" depending upon soil and thieves
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oldeman
Fulton Montgomery Fur Harvesters Ass.
Posts: 581
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Post by oldeman on Apr 4, 2012 17:09:12 GMT -5
There are several advantages of chain over cable.Sometimes when you catch a yote they will move the superstake up an inch or two making it a pain to make your reset with the cable sticking up also if you come down on a root.rock or other adverse soil cond. with chain you can merely coil up the excess in the trap bed.I also think it is somewhat easier to install swivels on and I personally like to use two of them for yotes.
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Post by ztbowtech on Apr 4, 2012 17:25:41 GMT -5
Zane, do you think you will make it to the fenner fur rondy ? If not, I can ship them or bring them to little valley convention. I'm planning to order lots of bridger and MB traps along with other supplies soon so I'll have time to assemble stakes before fenner. hopefully if i can ride with someone and im free.
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Zagman
#2 Newhouse
Posts: 2,186
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Post by Zagman on Apr 4, 2012 20:45:45 GMT -5
Here's what I'd do.....for whatever its worth.
1) If I was going to LEAVE most of the stakes in the ground and NOT sure if I'd ever set there again, I'd use the Wolf Fang and 3/32 cable.
2) If I was going to LEAVE most the stakes n the ground and was SURE I'd be hooking up to them again, I'd use the Wolf Fang with 3/32 cable.
3) If I was going to PULL the trap, but leave the stake to be pulled later, I'd use the SUPER STAKE with 1/8 cable.
4) If I was going to PULL the trap AND stake EVERYTIME at the SAME TIME, I'd use the Super Stake and 1/8 cable OR chain.
15 inches of cable works for me.........it be real confusing to me to have different lengths....by the time use realize you have the wrong length, too long or too short, you've driven it in already.
Also, NEVER had a coyote chew a cable stake.......cable extension, yes, cable stake....no.
Now that the Wolf Fang and driver have been corrected due to some trapper's input, I run all Wolf Fangs with 15 inches of 3/32.
Wolf Fangs, while certainly far heavier duty than a Berk, wont take unlimited pullings like the Super Stake will..........
MZ
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Post by J.P. Wilson on Apr 4, 2012 21:29:36 GMT -5
Thanks zag and everyone else for their input, very helpful!
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Post by bballou on Apr 5, 2012 12:35:13 GMT -5
I have no idea why coyotes act so differently and live so close together----I am only somewhere around 40 to 50 miles from Zag and I have had several coyotes dig and chew the cable going to the stake------Hold on to you hat for this one ------in the last 3 years we have had --coyotes starting to dig out the ground anchor---and a few have excaped by doing so. The holes have been very large---it is very evident that the animal was trying to dig out what ever was holding the trap that had its foot. WE try not to catch many coyotes---we dont like the smell and hate takeing care of them----but sometimes we have to take the coyotes to trap the other animals...The point being we are noticing coyotes doing a lot more to excape than they did a few years ago. And these coyotes are only a short distance from other coyotes that havent (evolved) to that means of escape at this time.----Thats why I love to trap----its so dam intresting.---- And jest may-be I am watching the coyote evolve into an excape artist
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Post by jimd on Apr 5, 2012 13:07:05 GMT -5
the length of your trap chain might have something to do with whether or not the coyotes are chewing the cables. I use stock length chains, whaever the trap comes with, I use. My main traps are sleepy creek #1.75 OS with at least 18'' of chain. Never had cable damage and very few have ever pulled the cable more than a couple inches
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Post by bballou on Apr 5, 2012 15:31:36 GMT -5
Jim----what is happening is the coyotes are digging the cable up----most times they chew the cable---BUT ---they are also digging the whole thing up---some holes went all the way to the anchor---- I very seldom have a chain on my K9 traps over 9 inches----if that is any help to you.
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Post by J.P. Wilson on Apr 5, 2012 16:13:23 GMT -5
Not to say im doubting you but, that is very interesting. i've never experienced anything like that with coyotes. i have caught coon that look like they were digging around at the anchor but nowhere near enough to make off with the trap.
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Post by jimd on Apr 5, 2012 17:13:17 GMT -5
experiment with a few traps. Add another 10'' of chain to some traps and see if that helps. I may be wrong but I think the extra chain might help stop them digging and chewing
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Post by Brunner on Apr 5, 2012 17:44:00 GMT -5
I run 18-24" of chain on my traps, swiveled, shockspring, the whole 9 yards. Can't say I've ever had a coyote dig one up on me, but I have had several chew on the cable. Some have almost made it all the way thru the cable. This is one reason I believe I'll be going to 1/8" cable. That and if I decide to pull some anchors, I have run into problems pulling 3/32".
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Post by bballou on Apr 5, 2012 19:14:01 GMT -5
J P Wilson---Jim ---Brunner--- \\\\ JP -- --I also have had coon dig ---but it was --all over ---where ever they could reach----Like I said ---this is the stuff that has kept me trapping for over 60 years..---- back when I trapped coyotes a lot ---- I cross- staked----I came up on several coyotes that had a-hold on one of the stakes ---in there mouths ---and pulling like heck ---some even had a stake pulled----when we came upon the first dig out I couldent belive it ---I though someone taken the coyote---but it was in a sand -gravel bed and there was no man tracks---- then it happened again and again etc. -------Jim-----back years ago I tryed many different lengths of chain----most were not a problem because I used a lot of Sterling's---If I go after coyotes next fall Ill give it a try. ( the adding of 10 inches) Thinking about it a little I think I can see your reasioning.------- Brunner---useing a big Sterling or #3 or #4 dbl long spring---I had no trouble with long chains----but when I got one that would vibrate the ground when they hit the end of the chain ---- it made the hair no my neck stand up---I was bothered with the thought of breaking a leg---so I stopped useing long chains--- (over 30 inches.)--- (I tryed chains up to 6 feet.)------When you had chewing on the cable---did you check any of the coyotes mouths --- ? ---did the coyote pull a bit of the cable from the ground ---or did you have extra cable under the trap ??
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Post by centro44 on Apr 5, 2012 19:27:14 GMT -5
bill you are a long liner so im sure you see alot of unusal happenings ;D.......i will say i was 12 years old and caught a coyote next to a pine tree that was about 3 inches around.....when i got there he had chewed the tree in half.....im assuming he thought he was anchored to it.......needless to say he sits on the show room floor at uvanni motors mounted......i have part of the tree hanging on the wall just to reflect at.....eric
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