cable stake (?length)

[Rod17]

This months issue of T&PC had an article about cable stakes and it got me wondering about length. Like with all stakes, soil condition palys a big role in the choice of length.

I am in Utah, with very rocky soil. I purchased several doz of the Iowa disposable stakes from OG. They are 12" of 3/32 cable and they take some doing to pound in the full length. Last year I planted the cable stakes a week on two before I set traps (and before the freeze up). I doubt that a coyote could pull them out but...

...I am wondering what length cable stakes those of you in rocky soil conditions use? (Dont suggest drags...I dont have the time to chase critters around).

ShockLung

[David Kuhlmann]

I have some that are 12" & on up to 24.. W/ 18" being the most common...

[dj88ryr]

I have rocky soil here in PA as well, I use 12".

[thebeav2]

Use about 12" on your stakes. But keep your trap chains about 16" long or so, that way if you still need to drive the stake deeper just drive In a few Inches of chain. This way you won't have the cable sticking up out of the ground If you can't drive It in all the way.

[ohiyotee]

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Use about 12" on your stakes. But keep your trap chains about 16" long or so, that way if you still need to drive the stake deeper just drive In a few Inches of chain. This way you won't have the cable sticking up out of the ground If you can't drive It in all the way

Exactly, the only thing i do differently is i start with 18 " or cable, because we have sandy ground for the most part. That's what i like about the earth anchors you just drive them as far as you need , you can't do that with re bar, is all or nothing with them. Greg

[Rod17]

Thanks for the feedback.

Has anyone ever had a coyote pull out a cablestake? If so, what were the specifics...cable length, soil condition, length of check etc.

Thanks

ShockLung

[Stef]

Has anyone ever had a coyote pull out a cablestake?

NEVER

[jimdrummond]

I've tried a couple different style cable stakes in some very soft soil. I was very nervous about using them because I didnt have to drive them in using a hammer, just pushed them in by hand, but they held perfectly with every coyote I caught.

[Steve Gappa]

I had a coyote pull a cable stake last year. My fault. First year of using them much, and after presetting so many without any problems, I started not pulling them solid (figured let the coyote do it) and sure enough....

now pre pull all of them and no problems.

Speaking og cable stakes- those Berkshire HD ones are JUNK!.

look neat, but that little cup has a hinge madeo f jello. In WY, I figured just the hard packed sand- but even here at home, in our regularly turned up soil- they straighten out 99.9% of the time when attempting to use. I have to still bend past the cup to work. The regular Berkshires, although thinner- work like a charm both out there, and here at home.

Anyone wanting to try Berkshires, I strongly recommend the plain style rather than the HD. If anyone likes them, I'd be curious as to the type of soil you have.

[Rod17]

Good info guys, thanks

My limited experience that that Iowa-type ends on 12" of 3/32 cabel has good holding power (based on me trying to pull them out) ...but 12 inches just seemd a bit short...and it made me nervous.

ShockLung

[martyb]

I learned the same lesson last year steve - completely agree - the plain berks are the most efficient I've used so far.

the 12-14 inch stakes always seem way to short when making them, and twice as long as neccessary when pulling traps.

have not tried any of the bullet or Iowa type stakes.

How many bershires does one have to buy to get a price break?

[ohiyotee]

never lost a coyote , and An other thing that you may have over looked is that since using them i have not had a trap stolen. i have had people try to pull them and give up , i hope they threw there backs out!!!! greg

[walkercoonhunter(Aaron L.)]

shocklung if 12 inches make you nervous just make one up and drive it in...and you try to pull...i think you will be suprised even in a worked up field that has set awhile....i run about 12 inches of cable and 3 loops of chain so over all cable is roughly 15 inches and when i make more up i seriously think i will be useing 10 of cable and 3 loops of chain...and the chain is #2 machine chain...

[gunny]

Shocklung,

We live in neighboring states and may have similar staking conditions.

My experience with cable stakes is with the Berkshires and OG's high desert spears.

The Berkshires (standard Berk.) hold well with 15", completed length, eye to eye. Sans Arroyos and loose sand areas.

The high desert spears w/25" completed cable hold in some areas.

This week I drove one into the ground between a ledge and a cedar tree. Set the head with the driver through the loop, then continued to pull the stake clear out of the ground. Drove one today and it set very well, could not pull it out of the ground by hand.

I don't trust either stake 100%. All of my traps are equipped with chains and drags.

I use stakes only when I need to hide a catch from view, attached to the chain with a quick link. If they pull the stake, I've still got the catch, though someone else may find it.

[Rod17]

I had one trap stolen last year that was anchored with a 12" cable stake. There was boot print in firm soil that was about 3-4" deep , so the sucker was really pulling to get it out. Judging from the way the area was tramped down, it took him awhile to pull it out.

I have tried pulling out the 12 inchers in my soil conditions and find it impossible...and thats pulling straight up, not at 75-90 degree angle like a coyote would be pulling.

I like the comments of driving a few links of chain into the ground with the cable stakes for some extra depth.

However, I agree completely that no staking methods will ever be 100%

thanks for the feedback.

ShockLung

[PAskinner]

About a foot, most of the time. I'm thinking I'm going to put two in or use super long ones at a couple spots, at least the thieves will be getting hernias trying to pull them, even if they do end up smashing my steel.
I use the regular berkshires. Lose one in the ground now and then when pulling, but most of the time, just bend them back straight and use again. The HD berkshires are a joke. Glad I only got a few to try them out.

[DaveLyons]

Well I have never lost a coyote since going to cable stakes. But just this week some jack donkey must of hook his truck up to my trap to steal my trap. The SOB flatened a MB Crunch proof swivel to boot.

Dave

[jrbhunter]

I like the 15 inch standard Burkshires. I tried the longer ones and the heavy dutys... didn't care for either one and the 15s have never given me any problems.