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Post by RiverRat on Nov 2, 2010 19:39:42 GMT -6
I dont pretend to be a coyote guy but I catch a few. I have allways have ran short chains. Talked with a few guys at conventions that were running 5-8-10 ft chains to save a real bad muddy circle. They were taking up the trap an moving a few feet over to remake. Their take it was a time saver. ?? I run most of my #3 and #4s on a long chain for beaver it would be nice to go from one critter to the next without shop work. Whats your thoughts.
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Post by deanchapel on Nov 2, 2010 19:47:00 GMT -6
The main reason for long chains has always been to avoid stake pumping. The down side is the momentum an animal gets up when running from on side of the circle to the other. With cable stakes, the issue of stake pumping is really a non-issue. So the question is this: is a power out from a short chain more or less likely than a momentum pull out from a long chain? I'm using #2 and 3 montgomeries, and rarely have a pad-catch loss with 3' chains.
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Post by trappincoyotes39 on Nov 2, 2010 20:22:04 GMT -6
add a shock spring and makes longer chains even better! Most use small chains on smaller traps with less hold power behind them, short chains in some cover and snowy conditions will mound up and stop swiveling something you don't find with longer chains. To me 5-10ft on a solid anchor is very extreme and not needed. 18"-36" is ideal for most situations.
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Post by ksboy2 on Nov 3, 2010 6:20:49 GMT -6
i think the principle behind the longer chains is for the straight up pull from the hind legs... i use 12" with three swivels on pogos... works well for me.... soil conditions and heavy grass can cause problems with the shorter chains as stated above... do not over think things.. use what you like or what works best for you...
i do not personally like the long chains for a couple of reasons: 1. more weight to carry around 2. the 5' chain gives the coyote enough space to damage his shoulder... i am not an advocate of undue stress/injury to the animal
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Post by trappnman on Nov 3, 2010 6:52:26 GMT -6
I see ONE advanatge in longer chains- fouls swivels less-
but day in day out on a 24 hour check, I don't see a problem and will continue to use short chains. I see no reason, for me, to have 3 feet of chain and a shockspring when 12-15 inches works just dandy.
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Post by trappincoyotes39 on Nov 3, 2010 14:37:41 GMT -6
KSboy if worried about undue pain with longer chains just add a shock spring will help the coyote and keep stake pumping to a bare minimum.
I also don't like such a small crater you get with short chains, I feel a larger catch circle has benefits for coyotes.
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Post by RiverRat on Nov 3, 2010 17:17:12 GMT -6
I feel a larger catch circle has benefits for coyotes.
Care to go into detail ??
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Post by MRussell on Nov 3, 2010 17:50:20 GMT -6
How about the correct amount of swivels, a good set of springs and personal preference being the main factor in chain length on a trap staked solid. My traps have just enough chain and swivels for me to bed them properly. You get it staked well and the next important item is swivels. IMO
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Post by trappincoyotes39 on Nov 3, 2010 18:50:19 GMT -6
yes river rat, I have found more coyotes after the initial catch to work a larger catch circle better than a smaller one, I also feel when you stake them on short chain all smells are concentrated in a small area, I have seen on wet dirt and snow with small chain and concentrated smells from the previous catch to get "some" coyotes to circle the small bullseye of smell and have a harder time getting these "some" coyotes to fully commit to the area, with a larger catch circle I have less of this activity take place.
Also a longer chain you can keep the trap staked solid and move the remake to the edge of the circle or closer to it if need be and they seem to work this better.
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Post by ksboy2 on Nov 3, 2010 19:36:10 GMT -6
why not just leave the trap in the center of the circle and make a walkthrough?
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Post by trappincoyotes39 on Nov 4, 2010 6:19:36 GMT -6
At times you can do this with a larger catch circle, smaller ones I have saw more refusals and working around the set until the smells have toned down. One can also with a larger catch circle remake the set as is, and 2-3 ft off the edge make a fresh clean set this has helped with doubles thru the years for me as well.
Easier to "feather" back a larger area than smaller as well.
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Post by ksboy2 on Nov 4, 2010 6:38:52 GMT -6
i haven't noticed a difference... sometimes very next night.. sometimes a few days... of course i do not trap very many coyotes
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Post by trappnman on Nov 4, 2010 6:45:12 GMT -6
I haven't noticed any difference either in catch circle sizes vis a vis another coyote in them.- a "small" catch circle, is still going to be 6-7 feet in diameter- big enough for my coyotes
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Post by trappincoyotes39 on Nov 4, 2010 14:51:28 GMT -6
alot has to do with coyote densitys as well. I have found this to be true in areas of higher densitys more coyotes less issues lower densitys more issues. Notice I didn't say all but some of the time. So I go with the % and use longer chains for various reasons mentioned.
Also to some degree the trap being used will dictait chain length either short or longer as well.
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Post by 17HMR on Nov 4, 2010 17:37:38 GMT -6
Steve, Have you used a 5 foot chain...... I have and I find that I agree with TC 100%, that 2nd 3rd and 4th coyote will come easyer.
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Post by trappnman on Nov 6, 2010 6:22:51 GMT -6
no Jeff, never have except on drags- so your point is taken.
what I should have said, was I have no concerns using short chains- that the advantages of them, don't come into play for me.
the possible exception could be a larger catch circcle, but as it is, they are 6-8 feet now-
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Post by ksboy2 on Nov 6, 2010 10:05:08 GMT -6
one foot of chain.. but the snow shows how big the actual circle is going to be... if you're using 5' of chain you're gonna have one huge circle.... please tell me why you want a 15' catch circle and explain your reasoning behind why the coyotes 2, 3.... so on visit them better... i am trying to learn here
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Post by trappnman on Nov 7, 2010 7:43:33 GMT -6
I always thought the idea of a long chian re: catch circles, was that it left a less defined catch circle?
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Post by ksboy2 on Nov 7, 2010 8:13:48 GMT -6
so the reasoning is you'll get more follow up catches with a less defined circle?
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Post by trappincoyotes39 on Nov 7, 2010 8:24:33 GMT -6
less defind and also the smells are over a larger area not all concintraited in a smaller bulleyes catch circle.
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