Using Screens with larger traps.

[Maineman]

Ok, let me start a HOW-to thread...

Now that I've started migrating over from my smaller traps to some "bigger iron" as my coyote friends call it, I could use some ideas on using screens with them...In my limited use of screens, I seem to get that stupid "BOW' that leaves a gap between the pan and the screen...

• I've heard about using rubber bands but not too sure about them
  
• Steel vs aluminum?
  
• Tucked under tips vs laying on top?
  
• manufacturing tips (shear them or scissors)
  
• setting tips (I can feel my fingers getting snapped already)
  

I was planning on using them on my #3 Bridgers and #3 montana's with some thoughts on the #2 bridgers...Might even catch a wolf or 2... ;D

With that said, I did buy aluminum trappers caps for the #2's and #3's just in case I didn't like using the screens...Does everyone use the screens?

Dave Z

[robertw]

A larger number of trappers seem to be using the screen more every year.

I have used both the aluminum and steel screen and preferr the steel.

Pretty simple to use once you get onto it. Insert the screen in the trap before setting the trap. The screen should lay under both jaws when the trap is set. When setting the trap poke the dog through the screen into the pan notch. With one hand reach in under the pan and hold it up while pulling the screen tight towards the loose jaw. This will tear a small notch in the screen around the pan notch and dog, this also allows the screen to lay more or less flat with no bubbles when the trap is set.

Hope this helps.

[trappnman]

Dave- you will absolutely love them! I'm new to them, but am sold 100%- for bigger traps.

With the 1.75s, I needed to use a trappers cap and the last thing I wanted was a screen. But one thing I alwys looked forward to- was using screens with bigger traps- the increased "kill" area is great- and the trap is strong enough to hold those odd and toe catches.

Started using them last year 100% on the Montanas.

Theres a couple of ways to use them, here is how I was taught by ChrisM- and its simple easy and foolproof.

Take a precut screen- 5 1/4 X 6 1/2 for the Montanas- and same size works good on my #2 Bridgers-

by the numbers-

1) slide in under the jaws of an unset trap- "dog" away from you- slide it so the will be under the far jaw.

2) pull down the screen over the pan catch (whatever its called). Same on dogless or dog on.

3) pop a hole in the screen and pull it tight.

4) set trap NOT by the PA method LOL... but by bringing your finger up under the pan and screen.

5) hold pan up, strighten screen and put down loose jaw over screen. All screen tips are under jaws..

6) if screen bubbles a little, leave loose jaw up, hold pan with 1 finger and slightly mold the screen around the sides and back of pan.

Thats it- never had a Montana misfired while doing any of this-

Steel screens- you want a stiff screen. I bought mine premade- if doing yourself- you will need a clean cut or they do unravel.

Only bad thing- they are 1 time use units. A possum will wreck one as well as a coyote. Very occasionally a screen would be tossed out of the catch circle and seemed undamges, so was able to reuse some.

Another bonus is time saved. With smaller traps- to me a trappers cap is essential for coyotes- but using one is time consuming. With the screens- twist in trap cover and go. Even if one was tempted to pack inside- you just can't and packing outside a trap is a breeze.

[mmwb (Andrew Parker)]

Mainman, good post, I was about to ask the same questions. I was getting the same "bow" between the screen and pan. Thanks for the advice guys.

[Stef]

I always ended up using 99% of the time waxed paper or nothing at all.

Screen are nice but my roll of waxed paper is always my first choice...LoL

I still did not figure how to cut it.
Know how Bob does cut his waxed paper roll but was always scared of the burned smell of the cut (skillsaw)
Think its a good tip.
A good tip from Bob too is to hammered down the roll of waxed paper.... Stays in place in the bag or bucket and its always ready to be unrolled.

Stef

[vttrapper]

I use screen like steve does. As far as steel or aluminum, I say either. Right now i bought a roll of alluminum screen and it works just fine, cheaper too.

frank

[Dusty]

I was planning on using them on my #3 Bridgers and #3 montana's with some thoughts on the #2 bridgers...Might even catch a wolf or 2... ;D

Not to hijack the thread too much, but you DO NOT want screens for wolf. The biggest problem with wolves is holding them, and toes just don't cut it. My biggest grips about the CDR is the pan is WAY too big for the jawspread. The #9 is just right - a quarter-sized pan in the middle of about a half-acre of jaw. If a wolf hits the pan with that trap, he ain't standing on the jaw.

I've caught maybe a half-dozen wolves in Bridger #3s. Haven't held one yet.

[Maineman]

Excellent replys guys...If the screens are a 1 time use, what difference would it make if they were steel or aluminum?

Dusty...Sorry about that but I was just kidding based upon the coyote/wolf thread currently going on...

Does anyone (besides Stef) NOT use screens with the big traps?

[17HMR]

Steve do you still have precut screens for sale?

[trappnman]

Yes, i do.

[TurTLe]

Best pan cover I have ever used was screen scouring pads for cleaning stove pipes. Don't know the actual name, but when I was in the Army we had boxes of them. They are stiff and take abuse. I only have one pack of 24 left, and need to get looking for another supply. Wish I still had some Army buddy's around here to get me a case.LOL

If anyone knows what I'm talking about, and has a source, let me know. I really don't want to go back to using anything else, because I have never found anything better.

[17kiss]

Aluminum and steel are night and day. Took a piece of aluminum someone had at PTA and a piece of the black screen that O'g sells and showed it to someone and I think they seen the light. On wolves can see the problem , but on 90% and more other canines the "black" or steel is the way to go. Cats , there is no comparison to anything. a toe or 2 will hold a cat , and as long as he is there when I get there , a toe or 2 keeps me smiling ;D

[Zagman]

No one pays attention at Demos!!!!

At the PA show a couple years ago, I showed the best way to get that "bow" out of the screen.

Before the screen is on the trap, put a memory in it, bend it into the shape of a banana.

Now, put it on the trap opposite of what you'd think..... with the two bent ends facing UP.........hook up the dog side first in what ever manner you use.......this will make the other end of the screen stick up in the air.

Take that end and pull it down, lift the loose jaw, and tuck it under the loose jaw......

The loose jaw will take the bend out of it and the screen will sit flat, but the loose jaw will be working with the memory in the screen and push the screen flat onto the pan........

It's like working with the "bow" that is in all pieces of lumber......

Regarding type of screen, steel all the way.

O'Gorman was right again! The rest of us are catching up........

Zagman

[17HMR]

Great tip Zags Thanks

[trappnman]

This O'Gorman sounds like a nice guy. Does he trap?

[gcs]

Stef, you can cut the rolls of waxed paper with a big serrated (?sp)utility knife, just saw through it like a handsaw and keep the roll tight.

[Stef]

Stef, you can cut the rolls of waxed paper with a big serrated (?sp)utility knife, just saw through it like a handsaw and keep the roll tight.

So... you use waxed paper too?
Thanks for the tip, I will try to find a knife that can do the job.
Bob Wendt told me before to not worry about the "burned cut" but I'm still suspicious...LoL

Stef

[BrandonH]

I always had a problem punching the dog through the screen. Zags showed me a handy trick of cutting a V in the screen and sliding the dog through it. Really cuts down on the misfires and snapped fingers. I'm going to try waxing my wire screen this year to see how it works. Who waxes there screen pan cover?
Brandon

[Iowa Badger]

I wax and dye mine. Dye in bunches of about 25 wired together. Pull, out. Let dry then wax them one at a time like potato chips. Throw in 3 or 4 and scoop them out one at a time.

[briankroberts]

Like Tman said thats how I use my screens, been using them for about 6 years now and love them,

I also bend mine at the set like Zag said, I kinda make mine bowl shaped, than put them bowl up under the jaws, lays pretty flat and if its not 100% who cares its under an 1" of dirt, there's a good tip for you guys trying those "big iron" traps in that last sentence if you read all of it, lots of cover catches more Coyotes!!!

If I found something better than STEEL screen I would use it! Lord knows I've tried it all!!.....B.....