Swim Through Traps

[kirkdekalb]

With equipment he has a permit to increase the pond size by 5 fold and the capacity by10 fold for irrigation. The beavers are hindering the work and have a den in the dam itself. Creating a hazard and further complicating the problem. As long as they are there it is a potential hazard for the landowner.

[kirkdekalb]

Caught a beaver and several turtles at the first place. No activity at second place.

[MtnMuley]

I totally get what you're doing.  It's just kind of funny to remove the beavers to create a pond.  Just a little humor.

[kirkdekalb]

We have hundreds of irrigation ponds in my county and thousands when including surrounding counties. The Gov. has programs to promote new ponds for years.

When the ponds are pumped low under drought conditions sometimes the wells can,t keep up and sometimes there are no supplemental wells. At that time the beaver will leave there den or house in the back of the pond and borrow in an area that has water. That usually is the pond dam. After about 8 to 10 years the dam gives way or caves in creating in some cases washed out roads and other problems. Several areas I trap have had dams give way in years passed that washed semi's off the road due to the beaver.

We have had five years of drought, so the areas that had beaver will start showing the problem since the rain has come back.

[bugs n bones]

Fred Lawrence will be giving a talk on the Comstocks at the Rendezvous Saturday. I don't think there will be any for sale but Fred will have one you can look at.
Kirk Dekalbs traps, I don't know if anyone will bring one. Dave Vinke has had them there the last couple of years but again just to look at.
Kirk is a member of this forum so maybe he will chime in.

Comstocks are the ticket!

[kirkdekalb]

Comstocks are the ticket!

Tomahawk should sell many of them. I am sure they will be manufactured with quality in mind.

Comstock has two models(swim throughs), they are all swing down. In fact I believe all Comstock traps are swing down. They all have a swing bar. The distance that the trigger moves is determined as to the shelf or tab length. This is what determines when it fires. Due to the swing bar and the need for internal components the traps are less open appearing compared to a trap that has firing components on the out side. Advanced traps have both capability, inside or outside components depending on the model and the design. Due to the way the mechanism works on the advanced trap, it can be mounted on the top, bottom, side, inside, or outside of trap. The mechanism can be mounted as a pan configuration, hanging trigger, or a bite and pull. All at various positions and angles. The Advanced Trap can also be fitted with a 4 way trigger, one way trigger, and many other 330 triggers designed for a 330 conibear. Advanced trap also has a dog that can be interchanged to make the trigger respond less to side pressure.Advanced trap also is the only one in the industry that has a double doored tube trap design. Advanced Trap is the only one in the industry that offers powered guillotine door traps.

The problem with most comparisons is that most have a limited bases for comparison. Comstock offers two models sold as a swim through trap.  Advanced Trap offers at least 5 and can make a custom design if multiple traps are ordered. Advanced trap has the capability to make a swim through of almost any design.

How many people actually own  a number of all models of swim through traps available today. Just in Washington state alone there would be many other variations by trappers, making traps, that have that ability.

Each designer or trapper usually has a different philosophy. For example I believe it would be best to set a  swing down door trap to where the door swings from the top down. Comstock promotes his large beaver trap as a bobcat trap when turned on its side. My experience with a trap set this way for coon and cats and beaver, is that sometimes when the trap closes the door catches the animal at the hips. This is more prevalent with a baited set or where lure was accidentally placed on trigger animal reached for trigger pulling as he backs out. So Advanced Trap doesn,t promote setting a swing down door trap on its side, only to simply say it can be done.

Some of Comstock traps are promoted to be set on its back. This allows the trap to appear more open due to the internal components.

All of the various trap companies have a product that works. How well it works is not only up to the components and design, but the ability of the trapper using the trap.

[Carp Commander]

I have ordered/purchased the materials needed for a dozen swim-throughs.

Thanks again Bob for bringing your knew trigger design to he rendezvous. I am working on a jig for all the bends and my springs should be here soon.

My trapping partner and I were wondering if anyone has tried swim-throughs above ground for raccoon/bobcat. I thought about modifying my sizes to accommodate bobcats but don't know if the triggers will work for both.

Does bobcat and raccoon need to have a floor pan trigger or will they trip the top or side mounted triggers of a swim through.

Thanks

Doug

[trapperguy22]

Doug,
Bruce uses 10x18 swim throughs for both bobcat and beaver, otters.

[Humptulips]

Doug,
I find I like the conibear type trigger for cats better then the pan triggered traps. The trigger needs to not hang down from the top though. I like the trigger from the side. Set it up so the cat can look over the trigger. I keep the trigger on the bottom half of the trap.

Comstock promotes his large beaver trap as a bobcat trap when turned on its side. My experience with a trap set this way for coon and cats and beaver, is that sometimes when the trap closes the door catches the animal at the hips. This is more prevalent with a baited set or where lure was accidentally placed on trigger animal reached for trigger pulling as he backs out. So Advanced Trap doesn,t promote setting a swing down door trap on its side, only to simply say it can be done.

That is because of the door design. If the doors hings at the end of the trap and  swing the opposite direction of Comstocks a cat cannot back out if hip caught. it will pull through into the trap if hip caught.
There are advantages and disadvantages. Comstocks design shortens the trap but makes it suseptible to back outs. Not a problem for water animals but it looks bad for cats IMHO.

[kirkdekalb]

Your right Bruce.

I saw a "Comstock" a customer just bought at the NTA. When he took a pen and fired the trap the trigger moved about 4 " before it fired. That would be a factor. It maybe designed that way to get the animal further in the trap on a short trap, but would be a factor on a baited set or a push into the trap and move the wire only 2" and back out.

The angle of the door also is a factor to create the wedging effect. That is why my doors have a little more angle than the comstocks.

I haven't had the same experience with the trigger hanging down from the top, though. If I had I would offer models with the trigger, on a walk through trap, mounted on the side. I have taken much video. Maybe there is another factor.

I have learned that color and shades of color have an effect.