#2 padded footholds

[pnwmtnmn]

I applied for a permit to use coni's and footholds in this private swamp I am at, but I need to pad the #2 footholds aI will be using. The materials needed are 1/4" vacuum line, zip ties, knife or scissors and traps.

Cut the vacuum line to the desired length and cut one side

Place the cut line on the jaw

And secure with 2 zip ties

Repeat on other jaw

Trim zip ties
repeat as necessary
This makes a legal padded jaw trap in Wash. The 1/4" line will work on #2 and smaller traps you will need a larger diameter line for #3's and larger as you have to cover the top, bottom and the face of the jaw but not the back of the jaw. the padding has to be 1/8" thick.
Hope this helps people.

[bob maier]

Kip, is there a description in the regs defining what a padded jaw is? I don't recall ever seeing one is the reason I ask.

[pnwmtnmn]

Ted talked to several of the game wardens in Yakima as well as the Captain and they all are on the same page at 1/8" thickness for the padding.

[Humptulips]

There is no definition of what constitutes legal padding. Those guys are just making it up as they go. Any thickness should be legal.

[Houndhunter]

Off topic, but imo padded traps is bogus. They dont do $hit, just make certain people feel better. A critter trapped in a foot hold, padded or not, will feel the same pressure in the trap.

[bob maier]

That's what I figured Bruce, just checking if I missed something.

[pnwmtnmn]

OK thanks Bruce.

[castor gitter]

technically you could wrap a bunch of electrical tape round em and be legal too.... I don't agree with the padded trap idea, esp for water sets... But it is what it is

[Humptulips]

Probably best to try and get along with them though. If they write you a ticket it costs you even if you win in court.

[pnwmtnmn]

Set 18 of these traps Tues, checkes today pulled 8 rats out of them all drowner sets under a permit, And overall I see no difference between padded and unpadded jaws for catching
2 were set off from wave action,  9 from rats( 1 wring and 8 catches) @ of the caught rats had broken front legs, 1 had the longspring holding its front foot that was between the jaws to the bottom of the jaws missing the padding completely. Still have all of my colonies traps working in another section of the swamp.

[pnwmtnmn]

Am noticing that after 4 days the zip ties are starting to come loose, but then these are cheap ties from Harbor freight, so bear that in mind. Only one "pad" has been chewed on which is less than expected and at 26 cents per side for the padding and ties that is a totally acceptable price. Even on the worst year pricewise a Rat would pay for the pads.

[whitey]

My G/W told me this "I dont care what you pad it with, hell pad it with  a Kotex".
I didnt take this advice, I bought padded leg hold traps.
But back on topic, what you have there is perfect and legal.

[pnwmtnmn]

Week, it's not perfect but it is legal. Looking for a better way to fasten the pads on.

[pnwmtnmn]

On the topic of padding thickness. On my permits It states that the padding must be at least 1/8" thick.

This is listed under permit condition #3." Padded Foot-hold traps are designed to have both jaws covered in RUBBER having a minimum thickness of one eighth inch.

I don't know if it is stated in the regs, the inititative, or just on the permit. I don't know if this is an add on but it is there in black and white.

Had to bring this post up from last year.

[Humptulips]

I did a little research after this post was up. I should have posted it but didn't.
There was no description layed out in I-713 to define what a padded jaw trap was. This is something WDFW added recently and Kip is right 1/8" is the tickness they need to be to be legal.
Only signifigant difference  is this is by WAC as opposed to being in the Initiative which would make it an RCW. That makes it a less serious offense.