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Post by Furhandler on Jul 5, 2004 0:03:50 GMT -6
Now that I've been doing all this reading on catching Coyotes and Fox with traps, I'm starting to get the fever to go at it on a bigger scale. (See what you'se all got me into now!)
Now I did some about 10 years ago and had limited success in catching, but lots of success in getting them to and in the pattern. I know a bunch of stuff I did wrong and some I'll have to figure out yet.
I have a good mix of fox and coyote throughout my line and it really doesn't matter which ends up in the trap. I would say it's a 60/40 mix either way.
What trap would you suggest using and would you go with 2 different sizes or would you stick with one size only.
Now I will specify that I'm a guy that likes uniformity so one size for all would be great, but would it be the best?
And secondly, I will invest about 3k to 4K, so if traps are pricey I will buy less and if cheap, I'll just buy more.
Also, how many would I need to run a line on a 48 hr check.
So, One trap or Two?, What size? and How many?
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Post by mattjones298 on Jul 5, 2004 0:16:58 GMT -6
if you got several fox, i dont think i would run a number3 size. i think steve runs the 1.75 duke thats not to high priced. also get some bridger number 2`s for the more coyote type spots there ok on reds and alittle large for greys but ok most of the time. i`ve never had (pelt) damage from one...  matt |
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Post by Stef on Jul 5, 2004 0:50:58 GMT -6
Furhandler, I strongly believe that there's no fox-coyote trap on the market. I have a mixed bag of #1.75, #2, #3 - #4 traps. Yes you will hold most coyotes in #1.75 if they are tricked out and shock spring on a 48 c/up ( I did it ) but you will probably loose some, not counting the misses on pattern. A #2 Bridger is a nice, "nice weather" early fall trap for coyote for your area but I found them to be hard on fox when they are caught early ( maybe my way of setting )? but on a 48hrs c/up you'll have your yote. On the other side, they can be used for snow set, bale set etc... on fox with good success. #3 - #4 are great coyote traps = the best size Some fox can be caught in them and they will look great but others  In winter, those #s can be used on fox if deep snow trapping, hay set etc... This is what I do, When I set traps, I normally find some sign and use the traps the ground tell me. If I'm fox trapping I use a #1.75. If coyote can be caught in my fox set (I know I'm not in coyote country) I use a #2 Bridger or a #1.75. If I'm in coyote country, sign everywhere, farmers complaint etc,,.. all I use is a #3. If fox are caught in them, I don't care ;D So buy a bunch smaller and bigger size traps and you will be happy. Stef |
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Post by mattjones298 on Jul 5, 2004 1:18:58 GMT -6
thanks stef, good post
thats what i should have said
matt
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Post by coyoteman37 on Jul 5, 2004 8:25:28 GMT -6
What you feel comfortable with is the best bet. I also feel your soil condition will be the answer.Is the live market in your eyes. I honestly feel the larger the better no chance for misses and enough power to hold the animal. lamination will outhold non-lamination. look at my post coyoteman 37 and eqiptment.
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Post by trappnman on Jul 5, 2004 8:35:40 GMT -6
Lamination, in and by itself, does not hold more than non laminated traps. A thin, sharp jawed trap with hold more than the same trap laminated. I agree that the soil condition means a lot. stef- why not just use your bigger traps all year- and just adjust the amount of dirt placed over the trap? A #3 with an inch of dirt over the trap is going to take a fox on the pad. And since I know oyur traps are laminated, offset, shock spring, etc....damage should be minimal. Also- am surprized you don't like the Bridger #2 for fox. While I haven't caught a ton of fox in mine, I've caught enough to see that the damage is really very minimal on fox- and once I finally got the jaw edges filed down, the cuts were eliminated (or at least reduced!). I would think - and we shall see- that the Montana, being only slightly bigger than a #2 Bridger and with its rolled jaw edges, would be a good compromise for a coyote/fox trap. On a short chain, anyhoo....  furhandler... if it is 60/40 either way..... now, either way.... its 50/50! ;D |
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Post by dj88ryr on Jul 5, 2004 8:42:31 GMT -6
I think you are right Steve, the Montana should be ok if buried a little deeper. A lot of trappers from this area have told me that, especially the "Pocono Puppy Pounder". I still am going to use my #2 Monty's as the first trap to set early, but when they are all in the ground, I won't even think twice about the Montana being the next choice, the rolled edge jaws I believe will not be too hard on them. I am going to use a longer chain though, so we shall see the proof in pics when the season gets here. ;D
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Post by Furhandler on Jul 5, 2004 10:21:45 GMT -6
furhandler... if it is 60/40 either way..... now, either way.... its 50/50! ;D I thaught hard about that before I typed it. The 60/40 either way meant in the range of, 60% Fox and 40% Coyote to 60% Coyote to 40% Fox. That way I was correct in the information I gave. If I would of stated 50/50 then I would of been lying because if my line had 500 cannines, I doubt that there are EXACTLY 250 Fox and 250 Coyote. ;D |
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Post by trappnman on Jul 5, 2004 13:43:54 GMT -6
So somewhere around 50% then...give or take....for either....hahahha
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Post by Stef on Jul 5, 2004 15:35:55 GMT -6
Bridger #2 laminated inside... early season!!! A chance I don't use a lot of pan tension ;D ;D ;D  Enough room for both fox foot in a #1.75 "early"   Shock Springs are great on a 48 hrs check when you have some animals caught like this one below in muddy or wet snow. Also... If coyotes get caught in smaller traps... Its just extra security!  Stef |
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Post by Stef on Jul 5, 2004 15:38:29 GMT -6
No trappnman, I don't like to set traps too deep.
Freezing weather here all the time or heavy mud... I just cannot play with it... too many misses (Fox) with too heavy/deep covering. If it gets too wet, need to increase tension on pan and misses occured
Stef
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Post by z on Jul 6, 2004 6:16:44 GMT -6
Steve, How do you know an inch of covering will take a fox "by the pad"?? Way to many variables to make that decision IMO......... To be quite honest I think many of you worry to much about damage........ In one breath your trying to find a trap that treats a 10lb. fox decent but has enough azz to tame a coyote while being flesh friendly to both...... ( No I don't think Hank done it this way..........) Do the best you can and let the chips fall where they will but most importantly use enough trap to consistantly hold the devil on the line, That devil be the coyote! Hey Mr. "I like em stock out of the box".........What do you know about modified equipment anyhow??  Zz! |
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Post by trappnman on Jul 6, 2004 7:18:59 GMT -6
simple Z- if you take a trap with 5 inch jawspread- and put 6 inches of dirt on that- assume the trap snaps....where would the foxes foot be?
How about 5 inches of dirt...how about 1 inch of dirt?
I've set enough traps in dirt to be able to see a definite corralation in foot depth into trap and depth of dirt OVER trap.
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Post by dj88ryr on Jul 6, 2004 8:04:11 GMT -6
most importantly use enough trap to consistantly hold the devil on the line, That devil be the coyote! LMAO!!! Quote the Z man, " You gotta catch and kill every one of those MFers you can!!!" |
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Post by CoonDuke on Jul 6, 2004 9:11:59 GMT -6
You guys can have all the pad caught fox you want. I like to see the foot deep. Just so there aren't broken bones. A little blood never hurt a thing.
Heck, I bleed when I get in thorns checking traps. It won't hurt a fox to bleed a little too.
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Post by CoonDuke on Jul 6, 2004 9:14:25 GMT -6
Stef, I have caught fox in Duke 1.5s that were as deep as the first pic with the Bridger #2. I often wondered how the heck they had their foot and how the trap went off to catch them that deep.  |
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Post by Stef on Jul 6, 2004 16:15:51 GMT -6
Yeah Duke, I've seen this in #1.75 too but #2 Bridger is a nice rough weather fox trap or an early coyote trap.
As you know already, I use a lot of trench set for fox and caught 90% all of them deep in traps.
With a #2 Bridger set that way... too much damaged for me. On a 48 hrs check = no more fox!!!
But some look real nice, just my 2ยข<br>
Stef
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Post by CoonDuke on Jul 6, 2004 20:14:09 GMT -6
Stef,
Are you having bone breakage in the leg that the fox are escaping on a 48 hour check?
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Post by mt on Jul 6, 2004 20:29:23 GMT -6
I am going to use Victor #1-1/2 and #2 coil spring. I am in an area with a good mix of fox and coyote so I replaced most of the 1-1/2 with #2 springs hoping to have stronger holding power just incase the coyote comes by. Dont know if that was the right thing to do but it is already done. Time will tell.
Mark
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Post by dj88ryr on Jul 6, 2004 20:40:46 GMT -6
mt, the #2 might work, but I had 2 brand new 1.5 cs totally destroyed by yotes last year, they are not a trap you want to set with yotes around.
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