#4 Dukes

[rustyg]

Has anyone used these on bobcats or coyotes. Noticed they a bigger jaw spread than a Montana #3. Just looking to get some bigger traps and looking at square jawed #4 or #3's. Trying to stay under $200 for a dozen. Not wanting offsets

[robertw]

The Dukes #4 is the same size as the Bridger & Northwoods #3s. The Montana #3 is actually a #2 sized trap.

I've caught plenty of bobcats, coyotes in them.

[trappincoyotes39]

That is why standardized trap sizes would be nice then all would be on the same page specially those just getting into trapping.

[Bigfoot]

I love em for cats and coyotes

[redeagle]

I like them a lot. The only thing I did to mine were to bend the tips of the jaws up where they connect to the frame. Other than that, they were ready to go.

[ksboy2]

redeagle... you didn't work on the pan and dog??? my stock dogs were too loose and it was causing some slippage........i like zero creep...

[redeagle]

No, mine were just fine. I guess I hit a good batch. I was impressed that the tips of the dogs were squared off with no burr on it, the pan notch was square, pans were level when traps were set, pan screws were tight, even the J hooks were heavy duty. This is on the 3 dozen I bought last year. I bought my first dozen 3 years ago and had to replace J hooks, bend the jaw tips, adjust pan levels, etc., etc. Duke is always improving their products and when you can get the most recent production runs on stuff, you can sometimes hit it right.

[netrap]

Robert, what mods are you doing to your no.4's? I had some and they seemed a little weak being 4-coiled.

[seldom]

Mar 28, 2011 19:54:50 GMT -6 ksboy2 said:

redeagle... you didn't work on the pan and dog??? my stock dogs were too loose and it was causing some slippage........i like zero creep...

The 5 dozen I just bought needed quite a bit of work on the excessively large dog eye. The eyes were so large that I had to be check(length of dog relative to the pan post) before closing the eye to determine whether or not I needed to "grow" some dog length while closing the eye. The "out-of-box" dog length varied by about 3/23".

The one thing I liked about the Duke dogs was the type/radius of bend that made the eye. As I worked them closed they retained a nice roundness that my Bridgers didn't.

Also I'm using 1/4" cold-roll sq stock for my outside laminations and I've got them all bent and ready to tack on. The steel in the trap jaws appears to be of pretty good quality or maybe just a little higher carbon content because they seem stiffer then my Bridgers. I'm wrapping the jaw corners with the lams so that with the lower levers I see no need to bend any jaw tips up. Though the Bridgers have higher levers, once I wrapped the corners that stiffened the jaw leg to such a degree that I've never considered bending their tips either. To each their own and whatever makes a person feel confident is a good thing.

Please don't get me wrong, for the $$, the eyes are an insignificant thing.

[robertw]

I've caught and held numerous blackbears and mountain lions in these #4s. I modify mine as described by "Seldom" but use a 1 1/2 music wires on the off side four coiling them.

[trappincoyotes39]

I have yet to buy any factory made trap, that didn't need some work to them!!!!

As far as bridger jaws I have never had to worry about the strength of the metal or having them pop out of the frame what so ever. The jaw frame is thick enough and the metal of the jaws stout enough never been a problem.

I use PIT pans on my bridgers so the dogs get taken off any how. PLus when I get the slop out of the dogs I like them to lay somewhat flatter as it gives more room for the lamination as long as it swings freely doesn't matter if round or not to me.

[seldom]

Mar 29, 2011 17:57:40 GMT -6 @robertw said:

but use a 1 1/2 music wires on the off side four coiling them.

Yes, I agree. Some years ago when I double laminated my #3 Bridgers and since I'm somewhat of a recycler I used regular 11/2 springs that I'd collected for the helpers. I felt they worked fine! Well now I see a couple dozen traps are getting weak in those 11/2's so they'll get the music wire treatment right after I finish the Dukes.

as long as it swings freely doesn't matter if round or not to me.

That's right TC. My comment was just a casual observation of what happens when a square object works inside a not-so-round, hole. It seemed I could get a nice tight(minimum play) and smooth operating dog eye with the Duke with less screwing around then with the Bridger dog that always wanted to tighten-up with a flat side.

[motrapperjohn]

Robert didnt you tell me you base plated them, replaced the spring pins, laminated jaws, replaced the chain and swivels, welded swivels, replace pan bolts, laminated dog, and replaced springs, night latched.

[robertw]

motrapperjohn,
No, No and No. The #4 has a center located swivel, you would have to remove this to base plate the trap. The #4 has a swaged offset jaw, it doesn't need to be laminated, the jaw is wide / strong enough as is without laminating it.

Duke Traps have THE BEST factory springs of ANY trap on the market. The only change I make is with the four coil springs (there similar to JC Connors springs), I remove them and four coil with 1 1/2 music wire springs.

Yes, I replace the spring pins to accomadate the increased pressure of the 1 1/2 springs used to four coil on the off side.

Yes, I night latch all of my traps, Victor, Duke, Bridger and Northwoods. (With the Northwoods I had to laminate the levers!!!)

[motrapperjohn]

Yes you are right it was the #3 you had to do that

[robertw]

I didn't have to do squat......I choose to drive a race car / stock car versus the commercial model that everyone else drives / uses.

I make a majority of my living as a trapper, consequently my equipment is the best that I can make or purchase.

[garman]

Mar 30, 2011 17:32:50 GMT -6 motrapperjohn said:

Robert didnt you tell me you base plated them, replaced the spring pins, laminated jaws, replaced the chain and swivels, welded swivels, replace pan bolts, laminated dog, and replaced springs, night latched.

I know of very few traps that could not use that done on. But JMO of course.

[trappnman]

consequently my equipment is the best that I can make or purchase.

and thats the Duke #4?

[robertw]

The #4 Duke is just one trap of many that I use. I trap from the Canadian line to the Gulf and from east of the Mississippi to west of the continental devide. I work in a variety of soil types and weather conditions the size of the coyotes varies greatly as well as the possible (intended) incedental catches (feral hogs, dogs & mountain lions).

The #4 Duke is just one tool in the tool chest.

I prefer a round jawed trap in many situations but...I don't get to work in a perfect world all the time.

[trappincoyotes39]

then buy a pile of sterlings and jakes and don't look back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!