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Post by CoonDuke on Nov 16, 2004 12:26:15 GMT -6
I have heard many, many times on the internet, magazine articles, and conventions, etc. how trappers recommend smaller traps for canines because of coon incidentals.
I got to thinking about it, and I see no more (or less) self-inflicted damage whether I use a 1.65, 1.75, #2 or #3.
In my experience, when you go bigger than a 1 1/2, (whether it be a little bigger or a lot bigger) you will get a coon to chew every once and awhile. I even get a chewer now and then in a 1 1/2.
Since there are very few trappers who would make land sets in areas that have any kind of a coyote population with 1 1/2s, it seems to me a trapper should choose the best canine trap and forget about coon.
I guess there are some benefits of smaller traps on land, but in my book coon incidentals is not one of them.
trappnman, do you notice any more chewing in the Montanas than in your 1.75s?
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Post by WVBill on Nov 16, 2004 13:18:32 GMT -6
Dukie,
In my 1.5s I have chewing, bad. More than you want to think or I care to tell about. Lets say a conservative 70%.
I want the coon because if he got to my fox set first. He is costing me money if I let him go. Incidental, call it what you want.
I call it trapping furbearers. I take what ever is there. Yes, I am even extracting skunk essence this year. Trust me, After the first couple you learn that going to work stinky is not the way to do it. So you better get better at it. ;D
In my bigger traps , yes I have some, I notice alot less chewing, relatively none. I really believe it is because of the higher catch. I caught two coon last year in a number 3 as I was approaching them I remember thinking how he was going to be chewed or have a broken leg. Well to my surprise they both looked great, not even a nibble. Trust me, they had been there for a while. It was not a fresh catch 5 minutes before.
The higher the leg catch on coon I believe allows for more circulation to the toes thus eliminating the chewing. Because the leg is so much wider/thicker above the paw especially where a number 3 makes contact. Allowing more blood to flow. In the smaller traps it pinches them so low and the foot is so narrow it cuts off most if not all the circulation allowing for chewing to occur.
I have noticed even a difference between the 1.5's and the 1.75s. The 1.5's is an outstanding trap but I have come to a recent conclusion that it is not probably the best. It is probably a tie with the 1.75.
Bill
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Post by CoonDuke on Nov 16, 2004 13:30:06 GMT -6
I do notice quite a bit more chewing in my 1.65s than my 1 1/2s, but I hardly run any 1 1/2s on land anymore so it is a different situation entirely. (With the 1 1/2s I get them tangled in the brush.)
I want the coon too...especially since canines seem to have gone down in price and coon seem to be up a little. I don't think the larger traps have cost me any coon.
I just havn't experienced the horror stories trappers talk about with big traps and coon. You could be right in that the higher catch allows more blood flow. I don't know.
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Post by Edge on Nov 16, 2004 15:48:02 GMT -6
When I trap coon,I use coon traps,but they are capable of holding a coyote.When I coyote trap,I use coyote traps.If something other than a coyote wants to end up skun,they are welcome,but I'm not gonna get them their own special trap.
Back when I used the #3 Bridgers,I noticed very little chewing on coon,but almost all my sets were grappled.
Edge
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Post by trappnman on Nov 16, 2004 18:22:04 GMT -6
In my land coon traps- to a trap Duke 1.5s, I have very little chewing. Quite honestly....less that 10%.
Much of the reason is my fastening system and theories....much is being held under cover (woods trapping).
But I have to strongly, strongly disagree concerning staked out in the open canine traps. I find the foot problems to be very much intensified on my larger traps- #2 Bridgers and Montanas.
The Montanas are all I wanted in a coyote trap- but in no way shape or form are they a coon trap.
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Post by RhodeDog on Nov 16, 2004 18:31:04 GMT -6
I am no K9 pro, or coon either for that matter, but since I started using 1 3/4 for coyotes a few years back I've caught a few coon in them. If memory serves me correctly all of them were hind foot catches with no or minimal damage. I think this is because of the trap being set back farther from the hole. Most of these sets are made in picked bean fields where they have nothing to grab and pull out so they dig. And some of them have definately been there more than 5 or 10 minutes. Does this make any sense?
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Post by briankroberts on Nov 16, 2004 18:43:47 GMT -6
Some of my catches in No.2 or 3 Bridgers are good mainly the ones caught high up. if pad caught I get lots of damage or he's already gone when I get there.I do have quite a few coon that are gone when I get there and all thats left is a good catch circle.
I will wait and see how these No 3 softcatch do, I've onlt caught 2 coons in them and they were both in good shape, but I'll have to see more than that to form an opinion.....B....
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Post by Zagman on Nov 16, 2004 19:02:59 GMT -6
Had more trouble than usual this year hanging on to coons in my coyotes sets.....this was the first year I was 100% #3 sized traps.
Same old thing, relatively small catch circle (I am used to coyote-sized meteor hits), dark hair in jaws, maybe some blood, and gone.
Had a live coon in a 220, half way through.....even he chewed on his back feet......coons are just chewers...regardless of trap.
MZ
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Post by z on Nov 17, 2004 17:55:29 GMT -6
Funny story....... Zaggar rolls past this set, it looks "not right"......Get your skinny azz outta the truck and tell me whats going on there? He's taking care of a cat 40ft. away. I mosey on over, looks like ya had a coon Rock! Classic moment, He has all his gear in his hand, stead of just walking down to me he throws the gear in the truck and backs up to me..... Don't hurt yourself toughguy.......LOL! I noted that he had set right below a coon trail, fearing this was a trick ? I stared him in the blinkers........ He admitted to never having seen the trail.....  ! Just like he never saw the coyote hair in the barb wire on another trail that produced a double. I just set here cuz the farmer said so.........Yup! zzzzzzz |
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Post by dj88ryr on Nov 17, 2004 18:42:14 GMT -6
Coon chew, some more than others, but unless the coon is dead, or is otherwise preoccupied, he will probably chew, I accept that as a fact, and don't place a whole lot of thought on it, I don't skin the feet anyway.
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Post by Scrapper on Nov 18, 2004 1:34:58 GMT -6
While we're on the subject of chewing, any of you guys have grey fox that chew like a coon does? I've had 3 so far this season. Extreme chewing. clean up to the trap jaws. All of these was in 1.75's.
Scrapper
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Post by Zagman on Nov 18, 2004 5:24:47 GMT -6
I might not notice coon trails and hair in fences, but I see coyote tracks and poop on the fly.....sometimes, at the last second, I even swerve at the last second.....like I am trying to miss a deer.....
During my week off, little time to stop and smell the roses, or look for possum trails, hair in fences, kickbacks, etc.....get em in the ground and go.
MZ
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Post by Wright Brothers on Nov 18, 2004 5:33:58 GMT -6
Yes Scrapper I had that on 1 of 3, all were in 1.75s. First time I've seen this. Are yours laminated? Mine are not. This is how we learn.
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Post by Ridgerunner on Nov 18, 2004 6:04:26 GMT -6
Scrapper, yes I have had quite a few non target greys that chew ... FWIW, virtually every grey that is body snared will chew their hind feet. I believe this happens as the snare works down to just above the hips; thus causing the hind legs to numb up. After this happened a few times, I threw the book away, and started maling my nooses smaller ... (it is amazing what a grey can pass thru) ... I found that I had to get real picky with noose size and placement ... (about a 4" noose placed according to terrain) Thus, I started getting either neck snared greys or knocked down snares, which is better than a mistreated furrier.
DJ, amen brother! I don't keep stats on coon that happen into canine sets ... I accept it as a given that they gonna chew!
"Ridge"
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Post by spiderclawz on Nov 18, 2004 14:19:36 GMT -6
For me, the coon I catch on the water seem to chew more than ones caught on land. Probably just a coincidence.
Had a skunk chew out the other day... I was glad he did, no fuss. (not good though) I didn't know they were chewers!?
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Post by Scrapper on Nov 19, 2004 1:54:14 GMT -6
Yes , mine are 4 coiled and laminated. Everyone that has done it has been an adult male and very agressive.
Some of them greys sure are cocky little buggers, lol
Scrapper
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