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Post by musher on Aug 22, 2006 15:25:15 GMT -6
I've read in a few threads that, if a trapper uses a smaller sized trap, the dirt has to be very well packed inside the jaws. The idea is that the trap will fire only if a direct hit on the pan is made.
Does this mean you can avoid packing the dirt on the inside of a larger trap - especially if you use a large screen?
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Post by Steve Gappa on Aug 22, 2006 18:07:39 GMT -6
thats the way I do it musher-
#2 Bridger and montanas- screen and no packing...
1.75- no screen, plenty of packing
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Post by walkercoonhunter(Aaron L.) on Aug 22, 2006 21:52:54 GMT -6
i must be missing something here...i use all 1.75's and i NEVER pack inside the jaws....however i do cover the trap,cup my hand and press...but i use 100% peat also and that dosent pack real well anyways...and i cant say that i have lots of tracks and no catches or even empty blown off traps....but then again im not dealing with the amount of yotes some of you guys are either....my main squeeze here is fox....but i run 0 pan tension...just enough for the pan to hold itself up when the trap isnt set...and then what ever pressure the jaw gives it when set...im guessing 1lb or so when set...but that is what works for me....
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Post by foxcatcher1 on Aug 23, 2006 4:30:54 GMT -6
I pack all traps, don't know why just always have. I feel like I get a better catch and the trap is bedded more solid. I do get alot of coyotes here and I feel it helps to pack. Like in my other post I use alot of diffent traps from #3- 1 1/2s and just doing everthing the same keeps me in a rythem.
Don
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Post by trappnman on Aug 23, 2006 8:12:40 GMT -6
if you are trapping fox- it doesn't matter with a 1.75 anymore than it matters with a #3 for coyotes.
If the size of the trap is small enough that a foot can be both on the PAN and the JAW- if you don't pack soid you are going to get snapped traps. This is, I believe, why so many complain of "pullouts" on coyotes using 1.75s.
Not pullouts- piss poor catches becauu the coyote fired the trap while partially on the jaw- thus a poor catch if any and an empty trap.
I firmly believe after 20+ years of using 1.75s on coyotes, that the difference between being happy with them- is as simple as packing the dirt tight inside the jaws.
This compacts the dirt- so that no more cmpression is allowed when a coyote walks on it. If there was compression then- the trap would snap (partially on the pan) before a good catch is assured.
I do not want that trap to fire- until the majority of his foot is inside that trap.
Some trappers like thebeav accomplish the same by using smaller pans than stock. The purpose is the same- ALL (or most) of his foot inside the jaws, not on them, before the trap fires.
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Post by Wright Brothers on Aug 23, 2006 9:00:41 GMT -6
I fully understand the concept of packing or screen. What gets me to scratching my head with this is. My # 2s are 5 1/2" My #1.75 are 5 1/4" That's a pretty fine line between big and small. 1/8" each side. I tried screen couple times in my life w/2s and did not like it. If I used #3s or bigger I may change my mind. But that's only a quarter inch on each side bigger than a #2. again
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Post by Steve Gappa on Aug 23, 2006 10:06:07 GMT -6
I see your point- it depends on the trap. A Duke 1.75 and their #2s- are peas in a pod.
but with a trap like a Bridger #2 and the jaw shape, I find a screen to be an advantage- the space between the jaw edge and the pan being the key.
a #3 Montana btw is a "small" number three- with jaw spread of 6".
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Post by Stef on Aug 23, 2006 10:07:05 GMT -6
I had many misses when I used the trapper cap on my #1.75 when I was trapping fox. One toe on the pan and 3 toes on the packed dirt won't fire the trap. Coyotes are ok but fox... forget it. Will never use a cap again!
Stef
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Post by Freak( Jim V.) on Aug 23, 2006 10:33:08 GMT -6
With Stef and Walker here. Best way to solve is "Step Down" with smaller traps. At least in my humble experience. Catch multiple fox by both front feet every year using no pan tension except what is created by setting the trap.Catch and hold pretty much whatever coyotes step in trap also using them. That being said , I still prefer larger gear , but around here too much theft and demolition of traps for me to put the big gear out. $6 is easier to lose than $12 -18.
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Post by walkercoonhunter(Aaron L.) on Aug 23, 2006 10:55:19 GMT -6
yes freak i use a step down set and i have no trouble with snapped traps and even catch a few by both front feet even coyotes in 1.75 by both
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Post by ColdSteel on Aug 23, 2006 11:18:51 GMT -6
Stef,all I use is 1.75's and a trappers cap and I have very very few snapped traps.One toe on the pan and th eother print just in the packed dirt sounds like to me the fox wasen't interested in the set.How many time shav eany of you ever went by a old set and there was a hole dug up big as a basketball with fox tracks everywhere
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Post by RonMarsh on Aug 23, 2006 11:34:49 GMT -6
I pack because it helps elimate the trap movement if the edge of the trap was stepped on. befor packing I had a lot of flipped traps.
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Post by trappnman on Aug 23, 2006 16:42:46 GMT -6
I too have no problem with a cap and 1.75s on fox. I am very careful though to not pack over the jaws.
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Post by Freak( Jim V.) on Aug 23, 2006 18:09:35 GMT -6
I have had a few problems in past with toe catches , but it was with the old high pan Dukes. And if I would have buried the jaws a bit deeper probably would have done away with that too. Still like my 6.5 jawspreads !!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by Stef on Aug 23, 2006 18:29:04 GMT -6
I caught plenty but I could clearly see that the cap was the problem. As soon as I stop using it.... Rarely do I miss a fox who put his feet in between the jaws of a trap. For the fox wasn't interested.... I believe George Good Like O'G reported in his books.... little females......
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Post by walkercoonhunter(Aaron L.) on Aug 23, 2006 21:39:51 GMT -6
well i havent had any remembrence of snapped traps except with the old square jawed north woods 1.75's...and i think that was just simply because i wasnt runnin pan pressure on them and the pan is end heavy and it was setting it self off ...when they was off they was never even moved from the bed....coons will dig my traps out sometimes but always catch him....cant say that packing the inside jaws of my 1.75's makes a hoot on my catch...
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Post by trappnman on Aug 23, 2006 21:59:00 GMT -6
you must be a very good at guiding. I think I'm pretty good at it, but still have canines stepping on the edge of the trap. That they are unsnapped, is better than that mysterious snapped trap.
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Post by walkercoonhunter(Aaron L.) on Aug 24, 2006 6:12:24 GMT -6
well im here to tell you that i see no to very very few tracks on my pattern that i dont catch.....but then again i use a step down set and the trap pattern is only as big as the trap...and could be because i use peat and it wouldnt hold a compressed track on the bed....it would disapear...yes i do my share of guiding....and i also believe that a track is better than a snapped trap...and also im sure i would see refusals if i traped in the snow....but i havent traped in the snow yet so no refuslas for me....atleast in my mind anyways while im sure i get them just cant see them when the snow isnt on.....
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Post by trappnman on Aug 24, 2006 7:13:35 GMT -6
stepdown sets do eliminate a lot of guiding- but a stepdown with thep atern and area only as big as the trap- is going ot give you a LOT of coyotes that don't even bother to stepdown.
I've experimented with many sizes of stepdowns- real small and real big. Both extremes miss coyotes. Through trial and error, I've found a certian size is by far the most efficient for coyotes. Fox- doesn't matter.
and I've also found, that packing the trap prevents many snapped traps- for coyotes.
On fox, its simply a moot point.
Trap in snow some- its a real eyeopener and everyone should do some from time to time.
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Post by ColdSteel on Aug 24, 2006 7:23:09 GMT -6
A track here and one there the animal simply wasen't interested in the set in my opinion.Most of the time when I see one track here and one there it is from a cat and we all know they don't dig and work a set like a yote.Put the right dope in the hole and if he is hungry he will work until it gets him thats from my experience on my line anyway.Back to the trappers cap I love them it lets me pack the dirt better and safer.A cap has saved my fingers a many of time at night or when I get in a big hurry
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