trapping

[h2ofwl4]

Are coon cuffs legal in washington?  Probably not, but thought I would ask.

[Krusty]

H2OFwl4,

They are neither legal, nor illegal.

In general, one must have a special permit to use padded footholds, but the DP style 'coon traps don't fall under the current definition (by name, or type).
Even if they did meet some legal definition (ie body gripping trap), they'd only be a tool of the NWCO, and not for the fur trapper.

They are basically "too new" to have been approved, despite the fact they are as much as 12 years old (by design).

And most designs don't lend themselves to being padded, very easily, even after complete disassembly.

Dude... I wish!

Krusty

P.S. There's some interesting work being done on the "voluntary restraint" trap... similar in concept, to the monkey trap that uses a jar with an object inside.

[Fishhunt223]

If a person is handy with metal working, dogproof traps much like the lil grizz can be made from tubing and a spring.  In this case, you can replace the metal bar with a cable and call it a non strangling foot snare.  Also, the law only states that jaws must be padded by soft plastic atleast an eighth of an inch thick.  Electrical tape is a plastic material and can be wrapped accross the bar of one of these traps to be 1/8" thick.  Of course you should check with your area warden to verify that this will not be an issue.


Krusty is that voluntary restraint trap similair to what they use in the book "Where the red fern grows"?  where they drill a hole in an old oak tree and put nails in the hole at an angle and bait it with a shiny piece of aluminum foil.  When the coon sticks his hand in there, he wont let go of the foil and cant get his hand out of the hole without releasing it.

[Krusty]

Travis,

Retro-fitting a cable, in place of the jaw, isn't what I'd call "being padded, very easily".

And padding the bar is only half of the job. On a padded foothold, you must pad both holding faces of a trap.
Again, this can be done, but not as easily as wrapping a double jaw #1 longspring with e-tape.

A trapper on the Peninsula ended up in some hot water, for using Lil' Griz traps, though ended up having no charges filed.
Despite the fact that they are an excellent tool for the NWCO, I'd be hesitant to use them, in any form (modified or not).

The voluntary restraint trap is similar to the "nail trap" except that it has no way to injure the animal.
The nail trap, in it's true form, is a nasty thing.

They are more similar to the Griz, in appearance, and set construction though. Being that they (the ones I am working on) are made from PVC pipe.

Krusty

[h2ofwl4]

Thanks for the responses.  I am in a coon rich area and am looking forward to making some extra money.  Guess the old cage trap will suffice for now.

[Fishhunt223]

When I have time to get some of those made, I will show you what i am talking about.  It isnt too difficult to do. 

I would like to see what you have designed for the voluntary trap if you get a chance to take some pictures. 
Travis

[Krusty]

Travis,

I don't have a camera that will take good close up photos, but the construction is really simple, so I might as well give it away.

You need a "jar", with a constriction on top, a way to put bait in that's too big to dump out, and some way to hold it in place.

Parts list: per restraint.
A piece of PVC pipe, 2-3" diameter and 6" long.
One screw on cap and a glue on threaded connector (sized to fit pipe).
One glue on end cap (also sized to fit pipe).
A 6" piece of 3/32" cable, one 1/4" fender washer, one #9 wire snare swivel (optional), and two crimp on wire ends.
PVC glue.

Drill a 5/8" hole in the glue on cap, and a 1/4" hole in the screw on cap.
Glue the cap and threaded connector to the pipe.
Fit the fender washer in the threaded cap (some cutting/grinding may be required, or the substitution of a standard 1/4" washer).
With a stop on the cable, from the inside, run the cable through the washer and cap, and attach the wire swivel at the other end (or make a loop).
Thread the cap on, and you're done.

*A loop can also be made on the inside, to clip or wire bait to.

**Alternatively, a swivel and chain can be attached to the threaded cap (if you happen to have a bunch, stripped off old junk traps, laying around )

Set like a Griz, auger or dig a hole, attach an extension, an earth anchor, or stake the swivel, bury the cable, and pack the pipe in the hole, blend.

*I like the idea of earth anchors shoved in the bottom of the hole.

Now I'll fully admit I am skeptical, at best, of this "restraint".
And I see little or no viability in it as a tool for nuisance work, because I don't think you'd be able to net or catch pole a 'coon in one.
I'd approach a set, with one, as stealthily as possible and be prepared to make a quick, long(ish) range, dispatch (which would require a firearm).

Krusty

[eburgtrapper]

here is two coons in one trap.

[sivart33]

lol that is ausome, not going to lie it made me laugh to see two coons in one trap

[bearmanric]

there so cute and cudly. let them go ing some one's car you dont like. could you amagine one jumping on your back.

[eburgtrapper]

Let me tell you, those little guys were not happy!! My mom tried taking a close picture and they jumped and growled at her and she just about *censored* her self while jumping back 10 feet in one bound. haha

[WildlifeAssassin]

yeah those little *censored*s have a mean growl for such a small animal

[h2ofwl4]

What do you do with furbearers trapped with a nuisance permit, since, by law, it is illegal to sell, barter, trade, etc., furbearers trapped with leghold and body gripping traps?

[eburgtrapper]

i do all my nuisances work with live traps. It is easier with no special permits to work with.

[demontang]

My take on padded jaw traps was it had to have a gap between the steel jaws which was taken up on with the plastic. The coon cuffs are a body griping trap according to a fish and game officer I talked too.