Double Jawed coon traps

[Steve Gappa]

This was posted per request from rk660.

(For those that don't know- anyone can post a poll- just click on "New Poll" to the right of "New Thread" )

So- for you coon trappers- in general, do you believe that a doubel jaw on a trap SIGNIFICANTLY reduces chewing by coon?

I added the "homemade" question for those of you that found factory DJ did not do the job, but you added extra jaws in your hop that DID reduce chewing. BTW- if that is the case, and you have pictures of your invention, please post them.

[CoonDuke]

I never used enough DJs to make an experienced decision about them.

I always though the purpose of a double jaw was that when a skunk or coon chewed its paw, the double jaw would add a little insurance to keep them from pulling out. The paw should swell between the two sets of jaws and help to keep the animal there.

With most double jawed traps on the market today, i can't see how they would help to reduce chewing because the second jaw is fairly close to the main jaw.

The Duke double jaws are not stamped out deep enough to create the "gap" where the paw can swell into. I am told the company will stamp the double jaws out deeper on the next run of traps.

[mike692]

The only double jaws I've owned were Sleepy Creek 11's. In my limited experience with them, I will say that they do not significantly reduce chewing.

[Timber]

I do have some double jawed #11's but it's really a non-issue with me because almost all of my foot hold coon sets are set on a drowner rod or slide. I try to use lil' grizzs and coni's on land. Even the coon I get in my coyote sets rarely (1/100) chew their paws.
When I was younger and just learning it was more prevalent due to poor set choices and lack of drowner exp.

Tim

[Maineman]

The only double jaw traps I own are some #11 Dukes and I have not seen chewing. I won't give the trap as much credit as I do the set...I place most of my #11's (and 1.5's) in pocket sets and attached to 7 foot of chain and grapple...The grapple is started in a clump of roots or brush (like staking) allowing the coon to get up on the bank and tangle up in the brush...

When I get there it seems to me coons are more interested in chewing up the brush than anything else...You may not agree but I believe by giving the coon "something else" to chew on (brush, PVC pipe, etc) they seem less intent on chewing the trap and their paw...

[dj88ryr]

I agree with that 100% MM

[Traveler]

I also agree with MM.If you give the coon plenty to chew on,he normally leaves himself alone.However on double jaws today,most of them don't have enough of the secondary jaw to help much.The sleepy creek no.11 has a little but the Duke 1 1/2 coil double jaw is a joke as for the second jaw.The old Victor 1 1/2 coil double jaw was a dandy.They truly had a second jaw and reduced chewing to nothing.Rocky just couldn't get at his foot with that model.

I've tried buying more of these,but since they haven't been made for years,they're tough to find.There is one draw back with them however,and that is they carry more covering when they fire.Repalcing the stock springs with music wire 1 1/2 coil springs will stop that problem to a great extent.

But as far as chewing is concerned,that old model Victor was by far my favorite coon grabber.

[NittanyLion]

The only double jaw I like is the Victor double jaw 1.5 coil spring. If anyone wants to part with some send me a pm.

[rk660]

Just about all factory double jaws Ive seen look next to worthless. Punched out jaw that really dont add a thing to extra holding power or reducing chewing under. In fact I seem more flex in top jaw from having the center section punched out. One exception may be those old 1.5 victors that had a rivited on jaw that closed as tight as the top jaw. I didnt even think about the homemade stuff and glad to see you included that Steve. Dave Plueger has a slick double jaw setup he runs on his 1.65 bridgers that i liked the looks of, and looks as it may have some merit. i also remember an article in Trappers World by J.C. that looked pretty good to. The problem I saw with both of them, if using on dryland and covering with dirt, is they would throw a lot more cover when the trap fired. i havent ever tryed either because i was afraid they both may hinder the trap on dryland, and didnt want my traps to be solely commited to water use. Has anyone tryed either of these or something similar and have problems when covered with dirt? I'd be curious to hear someone elses experiences.

[Clefus]

I had some SC #1 CS DJ's......they were stamped liked the old Diamond Double jaw.....they did not significantly perform any better than the Duke 1.5's ( reg jaw) I run...I sold em...
The Dukes worked really well and I plan on buying more to replace some old stuff....good trap for the money..and chewing damage was very limited too...

[Ric]

Yes,In my opinion the "DJ's" I added to some 11/2 dukes did help with self inflicted injuries on coon.Mine are not actually jaws but a modification to reduce the space available to a coon under the jaws. They did not eliminate it.This is from a small sample,40 some caught with these traps.But with a large enough sample I belive the difference would be statisticly significant when compared to similar traps unmodified. As mentioned above when useing a trap with this type of jaw configuration special attention must be paid to trap coverings and freeze proofing at dry sets