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Post by woody on May 4, 2004 19:41:34 GMT -6
OK! as I read different forums there seems to be a big difference on what size traps to use for the coyote ;D My  is why do the western trappers use big traps for coyotes, when the eastern trapper uses smaller traps? Most Western trappers likes to use #3's or larger from what I read. and the Eastern trapper likes to use #2's or smaller. WHY! the Eastern coyote is a bigger animal then whats found out west. Can some one enlighten me on this ;D  Not that I am trying to start a feud or anything, I really don't care what trap a person uses for a yote as long as they hold the animal. Maybe Stef could tell me alittle about the size he uses and why. woody |
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Post by Stef on May 4, 2004 19:59:58 GMT -6
Think that any coyote trappers prefer using a larger trap.
Problems are:
Trap check laws
Hunting dogs
Fox
coon
$$$
Etc...etc...
Stef
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Post by woody on May 4, 2004 20:20:10 GMT -6
Thanks Stef, I can see your a man of few words tonight ;D aint it past your bedtime ;D anyone else have an aswer for me ;D |
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Post by Wackyquacker on May 4, 2004 22:58:01 GMT -6
In addition to what Stef said, coyotes are relative new comers to the east where most trappers were geared for fox and coon...they made do with what they had. In the west coyote trapping came after the wolves were taken...big traps were what was around and known. Also, high $$$ bobcats make a fellow want to get the odds in his favor again big traps.
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Post by a1foxhopper on May 5, 2004 6:29:21 GMT -6
I think all of us Eastern guys would love to safely be able to use the bigger traps when targeting coyotes.
It's just that fear of catching the domestics that scares the bejjibees out of me!
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Post by lynxcat on May 5, 2004 7:05:19 GMT -6
Me thinks quacky and a1 hit it pretty good.....as I was told by a trapping guru when asking about the "easterners" fetish for tiny coyote traps....he said.."forgive them..for they know NOT what they do, their lack of coyote wisdom and cheepness will someday wane and they will see the light of the TRUE coyote trapper...as have the western trappers"
Hey...facts are facts...you cheep suckers!!! ;D
later
lynx...little grasshopper of the almighty trapping guru ;D
OH...Steve...your name was mentioned by the way...LOL
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Post by Wackyquacker on May 5, 2004 7:32:55 GMT -6
I understand the reluctance toward big iron relative to coons and chew offs. I don't see the issue in terms of domestics, or for that matter fox. I've caught a few fox and domestics and can say that with laminated offsets release is no problem (offsets are law here).
I my opinion you fellows might want to try some laminated jaws to cure foot injurys. Combined these with 24 hr checks, and domestics etc should be little or no problem. Also, pet owners etc. can see and seem to readily understand the principles of the round stock welded to the jaws as well as the gap (wether it works or not).
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Post by dj88ryr on May 5, 2004 7:36:55 GMT -6
LMAO!!! ;D ;D ;D I bet his article on 1.75cs for coyotes went over real well out there. We are coming along Lynx, a lot of us are moving toward the Montana's I just wish they would make a number 2. But I am going to use them this season and see what happens to fox caught in them.  |
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Post by Wackyquacker on May 5, 2004 7:49:03 GMT -6
For what its worth 1.75s only sound really small...#3 dbl longs were the bread and butter out here for years , they have the jaw spread of a #2 rdj coil.
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Post by trappnman on May 5, 2004 7:51:46 GMT -6
My name always seems to be mentioned behind my back... My western "guru", my coyote mentor says.... "1.75 are a perfectly good coyote trap IN THE THE RIGHT HANDS." He also says "Most western trappers don't know how to guide" I say- "anyone that thinks using 1.75s has to do with cheapness or lack of knowlege....has a real lack of knowledge concerning other trappers motivations and conditions besides his own..." And "lack of coyote knowledge" as a reason to use 1.75? PLEASE. I don't have many vices- but my coyote knowledge is one of them. I spend more time out in the field studying tracks, more time talking to other coyote trappers and more time researching coyote behavoir than 99% of the trappers our there. no brag there fellas- coyotes are my advocation and my vocation. I live to debate coyotes and coyote trapping... And keep this in mind- some people are unable to catch and hold coyotes in small traps because they are either unwilling or unable to learn the guiding, bedding techniques needed to CONTINUALLY BE SUCCESSFUL with smaller traps. Tell your buddy to contact me lc- I'll enable him to do so... |
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Post by dj88ryr on May 5, 2004 8:03:50 GMT -6
You made the perfect point Steve, most of us are either unwilling or unable to guide like you do. I have no problem spending money on bigger traps, I know that is an easier fix than the time it will take you to mentor me in proper guiding.
So, with the first lesson being this June, I figure maybe about the time we have to watch out for our beards from getting caught in the traps, I will maybe be able to use a 1.75 with confidance, I can catch Fox till the cows come home now, but my miserable results on coyotes told me that I was not doing something right, I would bet guiding is a big part of it.
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Post by lynxcat on May 5, 2004 8:17:30 GMT -6
 HOT DANG...do I detect a little "raised hackle" there tman??? LOL Dang...now that I got the stirrin stick movin....lol Sorry Steve...couldnt resist that one. I will have to say that I caught quite a few coyotes this year in 1 1/2 montgomery round jaws...and 1 1/2 and 1 3/4 northwoods....not problem one!! I think it's an east/west mentality fix. Not to mention the size/spread restrictions of a lot of eastern states. OH...I gave Craig O. and John G..and Slim P your phone number.... ;D.....there goes the stir stick again... later lynx
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Post by trappnman on May 5, 2004 8:21:27 GMT -6
WQ- To be honest- its not the coon so much as the domestics. heres a quick history... My first years coyote trapping were with a copy of The Trappers Partner by EJ Daily (a book I had purchased 20 years ago, so I knew what dirthole was- and that illustration solved all the mysteries...LOL ) and #4 dls beaver traps- unmodified on about 4-5 feet of chain. I did manage to catch 7 that first year...enough said on the traps. Would I have started out using 1.75 today- knowing about different traps, knowing about modifications? No, I would not. All my traps up to that time were longspring #1, #1.5, some square jaw old style Victor #2 and beaver traps. You can imagine how friendly those sq backs were- so a 1.75 seemed to be the trap to get. Next year, I caught O coyotes using them. Year after that 15- and the number increased every year to my high year about 5 years ago. I LEARNED how to use the traps. Larger traps offer many advantages- but alwys keep in mind the words of another coyote guru, O'G- "In using 1.75's- I don't get many losses- but I do get a lot more misses" Think about what that said. Not much trouble HOLDING a coyote once caught...but limitations on catching them. Limitations that can be studied and IMPROVED on. For the type of conditions I trap in- I'd put money on my methods...hey, guess I do ;D ! Seriously- the tool doesn't make the trapper. And now that I am getting out in theworld and seeing all the whizzy stuff out there...... I'm trying other traps. I'll be adding a bunch of Montanas this year- so we shall see how they do on incidentals. I eagerly await next fall- will I get more coyotes...or the same, sooner? ( I believe that with small traps- a cooyte can pop a few off without getting overly spooked- in otherwords, if you miss him this week, here....I'll get him next week, over there. Hey lynx- if I catch all those coyotes with baby traps...think how easy it will be next year..... |
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Post by trappnman on May 5, 2004 8:30:19 GMT -6
maybe....
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Post by vttrapper on May 6, 2004 11:28:49 GMT -6
Started off with 1.5s and 2s for fox. Then coyotes came and i ran mostly 2s. The #2 coilspring will take plenty of coyotes and it has for me. Then the internet came to my house and i bought some #3 coils. Now that is all i will buy seeing i have a large quantity of 1.5s, and 2s hanging in the barn. i get less misses with the #3s, have no trouble with incedentals, especially since all my traps have full mods, and i have not lost a coon in my #3s ever. Can't say the same for the #2s. There are also alot of eastern trappers using larger steel, they just don't post on the forems.
frank
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Post by chub618 on May 6, 2004 17:03:03 GMT -6
man would i like to weigh in on this one but ill just have to wait, i have a few of this and a few of that to try out this upcomming season and the hope is that i will do well on canines."man has it been along time for me" but none the less i will try! the bulk of the traps i will be using is a 50/50 split between 1.75's and #2 bridgers, of wich i have a doz each. and ill even be using some #3 montannas and sleepy creeks....for a total of 2 1/2 dozen traps.... i will keep you all posted on my progress! well enough of my rambiling
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Post by 17kiss on May 6, 2004 18:19:59 GMT -6
Big traps , little coyotes vs. little traps , big coyotes , hmmmmmm....... For me the switch to bigger traps was a direct result of wanting to cut back on misses. Even with good guiding have had as many as 5 in a day that short stepped. that is alot of fur to be missing. A #2 Bridger is an excellent all around coyote trap. Just change the springs after a year or so. A #3 is the ultimate , makes up for the little mistakes we all make on the line. A Duke or Victor 1.75 will get the job done , but as Steve said there will be misses , and with the time I have to trap , dont have time to miss. There are a few traps out there that are not up to snuff at all for yotes , sort of like a woman look good , but worthless(Not all woman , you know the ones I mean)
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