wire window screen for trap pan covers

[thrstyunderwater]

I'm trying to mimic what Craig O'Gorman does with wire window screen covers for traps. I have no trouble using them to cover the pan to prevent dirt from getting under, I just can't get them to keep enough tension to enlarge the kill area of the pan, the reason that O'Gorman uses them.

I am using aluminum window screen.

Any ideas/input/pictures?

[stickbowhntr]

works for me his way...with steel screen . What size trap you using?

[spring]

Ya need to get stiffer screen.

[thebeav2]

Not really.

How are you placing the screen on the trap.
Lay the screen over the pan before the trap is set then pull the screen across the dog notch making a hole In It. Don't move the screen now set the trap so the dog holds down the screen.
When you push down the dogged jaw It should come down over the screen and hold It down against the dog post( DON'T cut a slot In the screen for the dog post) There should be enough screen so It sticks out past the loose jaw. You can pack dirt over this and keep the screen tight.

DON"T use screen on #2 sized traps and under. It will cause more problems then It's worth.
If you have a rise In the screen over the pan a rubber band can be stretched across and hooked to the jaw tips. But with a little practice and the right sized and shaped screen this shoudn't be a problem. Practice Practice.

[trappnman]

I couldn't agree more with the "use stiffer screen"

thin screen, or screen that doesn't lay flat, is going to be worse than no screen at all.

if you hold a screen by the corner- it should be stiff and not sag- if it does, its not heavy enough.

agree with don't use them on smaller traps.

[thrstyunderwater]

I'm using #3 softcatches.

[17HMR]

Drop the screen with those traps and go to coffie filters, you want the paw centered for that trap.........

I do use screen on my dogless and love it after I wax the dang things to keep the suger sand from running past it, and the #1 key to useing screen is making it the right size for your trap.

[claytoncarr]

Sure seemed like a bunch of work and expense for little pay off. IME

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

I've tried the stuff off and on over the years and I agree, what a pain in the asss. I've got some of O'Gorman's super duper screen around here, if you come into Reno you can have it.

Thirsty we approved your scholarship application Saturday. Rendevous is at Beaver Dam state park in Lincoln County late August if you want to swing over.

[thrstyunderwater]

Jun 13, 2011 13:52:23 GMT -6 mostinterestingmanintheworld said:

I've tried the stuff off and on over the years and I agree, what a pain in the asss. I've got some of O'Gorman's super duper screen around here, if you come into Reno you can have it.

Thirsty we approved your scholarship application Saturday. Rendevous is at Beaver Dam state park in Lincoln County late August if you want to swing over.

I got that scholarship? I didn't expect that!

[guest]

Yup, you were in the top 10 of all applicants!

[thrstyunderwater]

Jun 13, 2011 16:57:30 GMT -6 @guest said:

Yup, you were in the top 10 of all applicants!

So 10 people received a scholarship?

[guest]

No, 8 but I was trying to be kind.

[GaTrapper]

I use aluminum screen and love it.

[trappincoyotes39]

screen on a soft catch???

[MRussell]

Screen on a small trap will kep you frustrated. Atleast until you quit using it. I use stiff screen on #3 Bridgers and dog on Monty's. It is a wonderful asset for the bigger traps.