Plugged Gopher Traps

[coonboy]

I have a couple of Death Klutch Traps out and the last 3 days they have been sprung and plugged with dirt. I clean it out and re set ,next day same thing. The traps are hard to set level in the tunnels today I put some clothes pins on the stakes to hold them right . I put some grass to cover the hole. Help! What am I doing wrong? Get Quick Set traps?

[trappnman]

in short- yes.

some helps in DC-

cut the trigger lever down- trim off an inch or so (a guesstimate, decide for yourself) so that the V trigger, is closer to the jaws. this does 2 things- #1 is keeps the lever from hitting top of tunnel and not allowing jaws to close properly, and #2 brings the trigger closer to the jaws so less room between trigger and jaw

put stake through eye, and lift up on it, causing trap to sit lower and down. If you need to, put a grass wad under the eye post, so it stays up

old farmers swear a light grass covering makes a difference, I think more truth to not with DC- in any case, it won't hurt. don't block hole, just toss a little grass over it so its not wide open.

set trap down in hole as far as you can, but keep it up 2-3 inches from the main tunnel

[coonboy]

so when they plug it just clean it out and re set?

[trappnman]

yes

are traps fired or unfired? in either case, chekc to make sure not too hair triggered where a bump will set thme off, or too far up so that the trigger bends but doesn't fire.

I set the trap, then bring trigger back until last "notch", then lean trigger backwards so just a little pressure sets it off

[coonboy]

The traps have been fired. Maybe I'll have one tomorrow. I'll cut the rods tomorrow when I check. Thank you.

[trappnman]

if fired and plugged-

most likely its going to be either rod jamming on top of tunnel, or too hair trigger

its a fine, fine line between too tight a trigger (but then you get plugged and unfired) and too light a trigger-

hook the bottom of the the "V" in the last spring notch, then as I stated, angle "V" back- this allow trigger to fire, but from top pressure on the trigger- not the rod slipping out (which happens with too much hair trigger) from the bottom

try a couple of Qwik Sets- eliminates a lot of problems-

[schweg2]

Or sell the Death Klutch's like I did and just use #1 jumps.
I have way better luck with them, maybe 1 or 2 filled out of 10.
Only downside is packing shingles or something to cover the hole, alot of times I can use the "sod plug".
I see some fresh mounds around here through the snow...lol

[coonboy]

I finally got one today!