let chat about snaring

[Bristleback]

Maybe this is splitting hairs, of which I'm already short on......lol

Coyotes first, has anyone paid much attention, studied.....as to the most effective height of the bottom of the snare......say comparing 8-10" off the ground VS 10-12" off the ground......

I tend to set 10-12".

I'm truly amazed at the critters we catch in snares, skunks and coon, rabbits in cat snares.....some 8" off the ground.

Secondly, bobcats, I know some like 6" some like 8" off the ground and have had some tell me after taking instructions to hang their cat snares 9-10" off the ground.....things that make you go hummmm, oh crap there is that song again, now husker fan is going to start shaking his hips and wiggling around, grrr, yuk!!

[trappnman]

well, I know 6-8" off the ground isn't real productive for a beginner.... (that would be me ;D )

[bobwendt]

you must have midgit animals in nebraska.

[Corey]

He's from Kansas Bob.....the animals and some of the guys are midgits in Kansas...from what i've heard....LOL

Bristleback....I don't know nothing about snaring cats or coyote's...but if you need a few pointers on possum or rabbit snaring....drop me a pm or send me an email..i'd sure share what I know about that with you buddy.

Corey

[bobwendt]

now I remember, EASTERN ks. that explains everything. one of very few states where it is actualy 2 states glued togather, like texas, nebraska and cally -forny.

[Bristleback]

6-8" isn't productive..........what ya targeting Steve??

husker fan, you are all toooooo modest, setting personal season records for cats n you trying to sluff it off as rabbits and possums, LMBO, who are you trying to fool......I'm just glad you don't live in KS and catch all our cats, gotta save a few for Bob and I. Break out some of those pics and show off a little.

The kittys are glad you have 3 kiddos and 9 dogs and a wife to take care of and work 6 days a week.......give them spots a break for crying out loud!!!

[Corey]

Bristleback..... I don't think I ever did ask you, but of the cats you snared this year, did you catch any with the BMI mini lock, or did they all get cam locked?? I was just curious as to how the mini's preformed if you did catch any cats with them....I like them, very much so.....

We need to get together to compare notes, sometime soon.

Corey

[SteveCraig]

It is my humble opinion that you just can not say to use a 12 x 12 or a 6 x 8 or a 12 x 14 or a 14 x 12 or an 8 x 8 etc., etc., etc.

Too many variables out there. A good snareman must use a diameter and height TO FIT THE SITUATION!

A 12x 12 for coyotes is simply a starting point, or hand rule, if you will.
The same for an 8 x 8 for cats and red fox.

Example:

For a coyote going downhill or uphill, you better have the bottom of your 12 inch loop at 8 to 9 inches. There will also be a different height off the surface for a coyote walking on level ground IN DIFFERENT COVERS( bare pastures compared to CPR).

Another example:
I have video of several hip snared 25# bobcats that got that way with 7 inch loops! I also have video of several neck snared bobcats with 8 inch loops. And some more that were neck snared with 6 inch loops.

Dont get me started on coon!

There simply is no hard and fast snare height/diameters as there are just too many variables to say so.
FWIW
Steve

[trappnman]

coyotes- our law is max loop 10", maximum height of top of loop, 16" off ground or bottom of footprint in snow. So I have 2 options- 10" loop, 6" of ground, or 8 and 8. Eventually I'll learn to use this size, but its slow learning....

please Steve- get stated on coon. My main concern, is I can't decide what is the best lock to reduce fur damage.

[Stef]

So I have 2 options- 10" loop, 6" of ground, or 8 and 8.

If I had your law...
I would set snares 8 and 8 on hard ground, no snow, ice etc...
Real deep fluffy snow... I would definitely go with the 10 loop and 6 " of the ground.

I agree with Steve Craig.... you need to adjust your loop size and height for the different snare locations

[irnhdmike]

The main problem with cats is they come in so many sizes. Set too high some go under, set too low some knock snare down. Every year I have more tendency to err on the high side. I think that height of fground is more important than loop size. Used to often get hip caught cats in 6x6 snares set for foxes. Currently at 6-8 x10 for cats and 10-12 x min. 12 for coyotes. Western coyotes probly different.

[Bristleback]

Thanks Steve, when does the video hit the market??

[rk660]

irnhdmike said:

The main problem with cats is they come in so many sizes. Set too high some go under, set too low some knock snare down. Every year I have more tendency to err on the high side. I think that height of fground is more important than loop size. Used to often get hip caught cats in 6x6 snares set for foxes. Currently at 6-8 x10 for cats and 10-12 x min. 12 for coyotes. Western coyotes probly different.

That is so true! something seldom taken into consideration when snaring cats.

[bobwendt]

but they all have feet, tall or short, big or small. one never wants to get so wrapped up in snaring that he forgets to set traps, or vise versa. both have their time and place and the man that uses both liberally, and neither exclusive of the other, will excell to his physical limits. as was taught me this year also, there is a time and place for 220 conibear boxes for cats, something most western guys have never even considered, and they are missing out on a few extra cats due to the narrow minded appraoch of walk thru shingle sets only. those boxes are as coyote and weather proof as can be , and if a track or trail can be found for a blind shingle, I assure you the box will take the biggest tom just as foolproof. every time I think I know it all I learn something else. I can hardly wait to see what I learn next year, probably from someone catching less than me but by a completely differtent modus that I can add to my methodology.

[thorsmightyhammer]

I assure you the box will take the biggest tom just as foolproof

Things must be different in Kansas than in Minnesota.

I have limited success with boxes, buckets, whatever with 220's.

I'll catch cats but I have had way way more go by than get caught.

I've tried alot of variations and cant seem to get the percentages up.

The only reason I use them is for extended checks.

Nothing wrecks my day when a cat lays down in the snow to look in a bucket or box and than goes on.

[rk660]

There is a fella in KS, that has a box specificy designed for cats, with specific trigger configuration, and he does very very well in his boxes on them. His catch for a trapper with a full time job would astond you. I do think part of his sucess is his location picking ability. If and when he wants let his box information out, I'll have to leave to this man. Bob knows him too, and his 220 catches on cats aint no token amount.

[bobwendt]

ya, same guy. he was kind enough to take me under wing, so no way I`ll steal his thunder. he may want to market the method someday. 49r, his method will cure the issues you have had with boxes and pass bys. there`s a simple trick to it, but like I said, not my place to say it as he may want to market it, or just keep it under wraps for awhile yet. he is in new mexico now, I`m sure kicking arse.

[huntinglonewolf]

Put a 2x4 under the front of your box so its up at an angle.

[JWarren]

bobwendt said:

there is a time and place for 220 conibear boxes for cats, something most western guys have never even considered, and they are missing out on a few extra cats due to the narrow minded appraoch of walk thru shingle sets only. .

Nobody is catching 50-100 cats a year with coni boxes, lol

[bobwendt]

don`t bet on it. I remember ardelle grawe catching 700 red fox a year in the early 70`s. I said to myself ,impossible. since then I`ve done 1,350 in 90 days , and 1,000 in 60 days over ten times. the point being, if you place limits in your mind on what is possible, then those limits become true. you learn boxes and I guarantee it will increase your annual catch, wyoming or florida. sameras shingles did ,or snaring ,or a zilliion other techniques not used by , well, hardly anyone as most are rutted in a few methods that work but still miss a few cats. if you have never had a cat thru without catching him, then you are a better man than me and don`tneed to know anything else. me, I`m still learning as I still miss some.