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Post by dinorocks on Dec 18, 2012 12:02:10 GMT -5
Thanks for reading!
My son and I would like to try our luck trapping some of the local WNY coyotes. I have lost a trap already to a coyote (new Victor double coil spring 1.75 with a single 18" stake)...pulled the trap and stake with minimum disturbance to the area. We are new to trapping (well I trapped as a kid) and we have been relatively successful to date trapping between work and school using the philosophy of quality sets, not quantity .
I recently bought the following and are looking for some suggestions on how best to modify the traps (i.e., swivel locations, spring location, length of chain, etc) for both staking and using a drag. Also, any adjustments recommended on the traps?
6 Victor 1.75 OS 4x4 coil 6 JC Conner T-bar slide action shock spring 6 No. 5 two prong grapple drag 12 18x1/2" steel stakes 6 double stake swivel 12 MB crunch proof swivels 50 ft straight link machine chain
Thank you very much!!
Dino (and Colton)
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Post by mikespring on Dec 18, 2012 15:05:48 GMT -5
Where are you located??? How`d ya feel when that coyote took your trap....I know how ya felt...lets not let it happen again...If your near rochester i`d be more than happy to help ya out on the line...
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Post by Itrapny on Dec 18, 2012 15:45:52 GMT -5
First I'd trade those 18"rebar stakes for some disposible earth anchors and you'll sleep better at night as I've NEVER had a coyote pull one out. If you're specifically targeting coyotes, I would trade in those 1.75's for either some laminated KB 5.5's or MB550's as they don't require any additional mod's. Additionally, the 1.75 has a smallish jawspread & in my opinion, are really a bit too small to consistently hold coyotes. If you plan to use the 1.75's, you'll need to bubble tip the jaw ends at a minimum and I'd also baseplate & laminate them so hopefully you're handy with a welder or have a buddy that is. Not sure what type drags that you listed, but they should be at least 4-5 lbs and have 6-8 feetof chain on them with at least 3 swivel points. As far as swivels and shock springs, I have them on all my coyotes traps with a minimum of 4 swivel points.
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Post by dinorocks on Dec 18, 2012 16:22:20 GMT -5
Ok then...looks I was steered wrong with respect to the equipment I purchased. I Live in the Buffalo area Mikespring and, if you are offering, would love to drive out to Rochester and get the 101 on coyote trapping.
I was hoping to have 6 traps to set up and use for exclusively for coyote...after losing a coyote in one of my fox traps (along with the trap), I'm guessing that all the fox traps I set should be strong enough to hold a coyote or at least anchored well enough to prevent a coyote from taking my trap. With that said, I will look into the disposable anchor system...any in particular that you would recommend? I had planned to weld a section of iron rod to my grabbles to give them additional weight.
Itrapny, I'm not a welder but will try to find someone who might be able to help me. I'm not sure what you mean by bubble tip or base plate them...also not sure how the laminates help...any info would be greatly appreciated. I have already boiled and started to rust the traps so I will not be able to return them...I would like to try to make them work...I’ve invested almost $100 for 1/2 doz traps so a couple more $ probably won't matter at this point (maybe to my wife!).
Thanks!
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Post by trappermac on Dec 18, 2012 17:21:21 GMT -5
Your 1.75's will hold coyote, maybe not the best choice if targeting coyote...but you got them so learn how to use them correctly....go see Mike.
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Post by nightstalker1 on Dec 18, 2012 17:22:35 GMT -5
If you switched to cable stakes and kept your trap chain short....those 1.75 should be good
If you had double staked that trap, he would not have pulled out
But a good coyote will test any trap....they will find any weak spot in your trap or set up
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Post by Itrapny on Dec 18, 2012 17:51:40 GMT -5
Don't get me wrong, 1.75's will hold coyotes just as #1 1/2's will if properly modified as I've caught & held more than a few unexpectatly....but if you plan to specifically target 'yotes, you'll want to go with a bigger jawspread and a beefier trap. The laminations on the jaws create more surface area and there'll be less chance for the paw to be hurt. If you drop a spot of weld on the jaw tips it will stop the jaws from popping through the frame as the coyote lunges. To baseplate a trap, you take a weld a piece of metal to the bottom of the trap frame. Baseplating a trap will strengthen the frame and help prevent the coyote from literally folding the trap in half. I would also attach a D ring in the center of thr baseplate at the same time, this will allow you center swivel your trap which I believe is superior to end swiveling. I prefer the KB 5.5 because it's ready to use straight from the box with it's built in shock spring and swivels already in place.
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Post by nightstalker1 on Dec 18, 2012 18:06:03 GMT -5
Here's a few pics to show what Wayne is talking about Here's a baseplate...it is welded to the stock trap frame on the bottom to stiffen the "backbone" of the trap. Jaw laminations are added to either the inside or outside (sometimes both) of the stock trap jaw This trap has both Bubble tip is a small ball of weld added to the jaw tips shown below. This will not allow the jaws to be pulled out These traps have not been bubble tipped but show where the weld ball will go This photo also shows a side view of the baseplate...it basically double the thickness of the base of the trap frame
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Post by Itrapny on Dec 18, 2012 18:14:01 GMT -5
Thanks Tom.....pictures are worth a thousand words ;D
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Post by dinorocks on Dec 18, 2012 18:35:52 GMT -5
Wow, that was VERY helpful! Thank you very much for taking the time to respond and the time to take/post the picts!! That is incredible how strong those coyote are!
Dino
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Post by Brunner on Dec 19, 2012 22:03:42 GMT -5
Personally, I feel that those 1.75s will better suit you for coyote without the baseplate and center swivel. If those were the traps I had for coyotes, I'd make sure to have good swivels, numerous swivels and a short chain with a very solid anchoring system. Trapped coyotes for a few years with that same set up.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2012 23:29:03 GMT -5
I use a few victor 1.75s and a ton of victor 2's on my line. As stated, definitely not the first choice coyote trap, but it does work. I rarely lose them when I grab them.
Couple tips that I can share; tighten the pan tension a bit, to the point the pan will not fall freely. This requires the yote to place a little more weight on the pan, causing a higher pad catch. Keep the chain short as possible. My chains are about 6 inches and I have 5 swivel points from trap to stake. I use a 15 inch cable stake, and have only lost one trap/stake in the last 8 years, which was my fault anyways...
Put them to work and make sure they are bedded solid. Make sure the low point is on the pan... Be patient And you just may have a surprise waiting for you....
Good luck....
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Post by dinorocks on Dec 23, 2012 19:47:59 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for your input.
Brunner - Just wondering why you suggest not base-plating...trying to learn all the pros and cons.
Happy Holidays!
Dino
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Post by Brunner on Dec 23, 2012 20:22:21 GMT -5
I suppose that the baseplate couldn't hurt, but if I were to do it, it would be a flat plate with no center hookup. With a trap that size, I felt I was better off with the end hook up on coyotes. Biggest mod on those traps is to make sure that the jaws can't pop. Short chain and a solid anchor and I never had problems holding coyotes once they got into the trap. I was doing this with 2 coiled traps.
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Post by dinorocks on Jan 2, 2013 18:54:34 GMT -5
I have received the jaw lams and base plates I ordered and now waiting for a friend to help me weld them on. If you don't mind, I was hoping to ask a few more questions... Per the pict I attached, do I have the lams on the correct side of the jaw (i.e., inside/outside)? ...does it matter? I crazy glued them on for size...I'm worried that the jaw plus the lam will not fit below my dog when I set t he trap (too wide)? When I try to set the trap to see , the lam falls off...I guess I could try and tape the lams to the jaws to see if they fit. Per the pict that I was not able to attach, there is a small gap between the jaw and the middle of the lam...should I try to bend the lams so they fit exactly to the jaw...again, worried that the lam, plus the jaw, plus any gap will not fit below my dog when attempting to set. I will be welding a couple sections of metal rod to my grapples to give them a bit more weight. Regarding night latching the pan...the pan that came with the Victor K-9 trap has a "window" so I can see how close the dog is to the edge of the pan...do some folks possibly night latch the dog? Thanks again for reading my questions! Dino Attachments:
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cooper67
#2 Newhouse
oswego county trappers ,nysta,jefferson county
Posts: 2,554
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Post by cooper67 on Jan 4, 2013 19:32:45 GMT -5
with out having the trap in front of me with lams, set the trap hold the dog down with visegrips to lock in place & see if possible, you might need to cut the section out where the dog sits, or do inside lams, you will also need to get the lams as close to jaws as possible hope it helps,
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Post by Brunner on Jan 4, 2013 19:45:19 GMT -5
with out having the trap in front of me with lams, set the trap hold the dog down with visegrips to lock in place & see if possible, you might need to cut the section out where the dog sits, or do inside lams, you will also need to get the lams as close to jaws as possible hope it helps, Could also be that the dog eye hasn't been closed up to take the slop out of the dog. Something else to look into.
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Post by nightstalker1 on Jan 4, 2013 20:59:51 GMT -5
Use vise grips to pull the lams tight to the stock jaws and position the lams properly Position vise grips so that you can weld around them as shown Check for clearance on the dog before welding A few options if it does not fit Are those 1/4" lams or 3/16" ?
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traps82
#3 Newhouse
Hope is always alive
Posts: 3,208
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Post by traps82 on Jan 7, 2013 22:55:17 GMT -5
^^^^ Tom... I have to see that trap!!! Stoploss modified?
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Post by milkie62 on Jan 8, 2013 15:25:17 GMT -5
Tom the "pink" background on your traps really sets them off pretty ;D
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