Trap Chains Yotes

[17HMR]

For yotes,how long of chain do you use and why? I used to single stake and used a long chain 24 inches to keep the pumping a non issue. Now am down to 18 , but I am double staking or earth anchors. I was thinking why not make them all 10 with the yote not able to pull the crossed stakes or earth anchors, might keep a toe catch from pulling out. Cant bring myself to cut the chains yet so looking for your thoughts. Thanks Jeff

[bobwendt]

cut them to 6" and 2 swivels, save the weight and jerking etc. I`ve been that way for at least 20 years. As long as your staking is solid and you stay out of hi rubbel locations it works like a charm for me. no shock spring need then either.

[sawdust]

i'm a believer in a short chain plus a couple swivels. 8" length works for me. i then double stake every trap.

to me this keeps the big critters from pulling too hard.

this is a bit of a physics calculation. a big animal like a coyote, if given the chance to accelerate on a long length of chain, can put hundreds of pounds of force on a trap.

this is the exact same concept of taking a hammer and tapping on a nail while holding the handle up by the head vs. swinging the hammer a full stroke while holding onto the end of the handle.

sure, a coyote can pull super hard no matter what the length of chain but the acceleration factor allowed by using a long chain multiplies/compounds the pull out force.

[Iowa Badger]

8" to 10" is ideal for me.

[trappnman]

on staked sets- I like and use short chains on smaller traps.

One, and perhaps the only disadvantage of short chains are in muddy or grassy conditions, and like stef and others say- I can see how fox pull all the debris into the center of the circle and clog the swivels.

Coyotes don't seem to have that habit.

[Stef]

One, and perhaps the only disadvantage of short chains are in muddy or grassy conditions, and like stef and others say- I can see how fox pull all the debris into the center of the circle and clog the swivels.

And they create big trash mound in the middle of the catch circles and some chew their paw like a coon does!

I prefer a longer chain for everything and no lost too....
more versatile when there's snow on the ground. I use shock springs too ;D

Stef

[vttrapper]

18 to 24 inch #2 or#3 machine chain with 3 coyote proof swivels. I am in a high "rubble" area and trap the skid roads alot. Short chains cause problems for me. If i was trapping an area with very little or no vegitation I would try the short chains again,,,,,, but i don't.

frank

[Danny Clifton]

I've never tried cable stakes but did trap with a friend who used them. They held everything he caught no problem but had what was in my mind enough trouble I don't want to use them where I trap. I use a double stake swivel and 1/2 inch rebar with a 5/8 nut welded on. Cheap and reusable. As there are times when I use a drag or even tie to a tree I added an extra swivel a link above the double stake swivel. This swivel is attached by a single rivet and simply hangs from the chain. This is the attachment point whenever a long chain is needed. This allows me to short chain whenever a stake is possible and still use drags when needed or desired.

[17HMR]

Swivels getting cloged up is a very valid point I have had 1 of 3 bound up a few times,as far as shock springs, I would like less hardware on my traps than more, so maybe I will try 12 to 14 inches and see what happens. Any input on this? Jeff
PS This is on big iron #3s /#4s

[trappincoyotes39]

Go with sterling swivels lowest profile swivel out there and your swivel fouling issue won't be much. I use 18-24" of chain on all traps, I'm still a stake guy of metal/rebar, I use alot of proline stakes I like them because there smooth rod and swivel around the stake head nicely, plus alot easier to remove than rebar, and still hold very well I use 24"-30" stakes, not much shorter.
I like this setup from 24hr-72hr checks. I run 3 swivels on every trap, and use all 4 coiled traps.

[bobwendt]

how can a chain rotate around a stake ( or the lap link or other attachment method) unless the stake head is above ground level? I counter drive my stakes to where they are directly under the trap, thus putting the cross stakes about 3-4 inches BELOW ground level. I count on my in line swivels to take care of the rotating.

[mkcmb]

Speaking of stakes I was out west and found a hollow tree full of rebar stakes with nuts on the ends. the nuts looked like they had been flattened between a hammer and a piece of railroad steel. What a great birthday present!!!!

[td]

I use about 10" chain,counting 2 swivels. No problems with coyotes fouling swivels. Incedentals like possum,skunk and coon usually have a lot of trash in them, if it is available, but I don't think have ever had a swivel totally fouled. Only problem I see with it is stake pumping. Where I am, one long stake drove through about 2' of clay followed by about 4" of flint infested limestone is usually sufficient. If any doubt, I double stake. What I hate is when the stake bottoms out and it's still sticking out, and it's hot that day and...

I used a few montanas and bridger #2 stock this year and it made me pretty nervous watching coyotes hit the end of the chain.

[bobwendt]

mkcmb, you been in my stash again? Well, there are 3 more trees too, so you didn`t get all of them!

[trappincoyotes39]

Bob lap link or sterling link, the smooth rod has a flat washer, there like a big ol' nail, so when you drive stake, even though below ground level I leave them with about 1/2"-3/4" from being flat into the earth, a coyote gives that first lunge the stake is set but you get nice swiveling around the stake head as well as your inline working as well.
There made by a mennonite colony, and there a nice stake at a decent price.

[bobwendt]

you know, I`m thinking you are working on dry dirt/dust/sand. We get gumbo clay back here and excessive rain , thus no matter the stake type, unless above ground level, there would be no rotating on the stake.

[trappnman]

looking at the pictures several posted last year with fox in mud- when the trap and chain is completely enclosed in a mud footbal- NO swivel is going to stay open.

[z]

Steve, It takes a lot to foul a sterling........

BTW, How many do you run on your traps?

!

[MChewk]

I like longer chains 18-30 inches with multi swivels I find usually after first catch, chain experiences more swivel fouling but after coyote has beaten ground up ....I experience less fouling. Steve don't agree with your statement on mud with longer chains. Longer chains have a tendency to "clean out" better in mud than shorter rigs. Longer chains really shine in snow as mounding effect is lessened to an extent.

[trappnman]

MC- reread my post.

Z- I run 2 or 3

Stef- post that picture again please- and then Z- you tell me how those swivels, call em any brand you like, are going to work.