Rookie

[Huntlots]

Just took my trappers education class this past weekend and I am wanting to get started. Thinking im going to make my own traps I figure I can do it cheaper and stronger then buying them. Any tips and tricks always helps, I have been doing lots of research online, but I think advise would be more helpful then trying to pick through the interweb.

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[winslow]

Making traps is a rite of passage, for sure, but unless you have a lot of time that you don't know what to do with and already have the tools and skills, if you're looking to get started right away you might look into getting some used traps. Having traps on the ground and seeing how they work (or don't!) will help you figure a lot more out about trapping than bending wire will.

The difference between the cost of materials and the cost of used traps can be very small, sometimes the materials even cost more.

This is only my opinion based on my own experience, of course, and is worth exactly what you paid for it.

Good luck out there!

Winslow

[Huntlots]

Thank you for the input. I don't have a ton of extra time especially since my son was born in september but I do have the skills to make the traps and most of the materials so...mostly need the wire.

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[David D.]

My brother and I are in the middle of making a dozen spring loaded swim through traps.  Approximately 12 hours in and we are approximately half done.  Lots of work!!  I would still recommend making your own and save the money.

[jasnt]

I buy my cage wire and hog rings and j-clips at north 40. I like 1"x1" 14ga  I get cold rolled 1/4" round at Haskins steel in Spokane. I'm sure there is a steel supply shop in Moses lake too

[Huntlots]

Yea I feel the same way David D, I would also think i would feel more acomplished by making my own trapd and being successful if/when I trap something.

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[Huntlots]

I was thinking that this would probably be the route I would go but still planning what I wanna do.

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[pnwmtnmn]

Moses Lake Steel Supply on W. Broadway. Wire is the problem Ephrata or Othello.

[Huntlots]

Pnwmtnmn you have lots of success trapping around moses lake?

[pnwmtnmn]

I have some, Hobby line, Cat Daddy does better than me.

[Carp Commander]

My brother and I are in the middle of making a dozen spring loaded swim through traps.  Approximately 12 hours in and we are approximately half done.  Lots of work!!  I would still recommend making your own and save the money.

If you run into any problems let me know and Ill try and give you a hand. Not that I am an expert but I have been building beaver swim-throughs and colony traps for a few years now. I am in the Tri-Cities.

[Huntlots]

Awesome I will keep that in mind.

[JakeLand]

If you build or buy I believe a conibear trigger setup is more reliable then a step pan trigger  my 

[Huntlots]

Jakeland do you have a picture of conibear trigger setup? Or know where I can find one.

[winslow]

This is how the conibear trigger is set up on the swim-throughs I have.

I made a little video, it explains it much better than any number of pics I took.

If you are ever in the Port Townsend area stop by and I will give you this trap. It's a double door with a conibear trigger. It could use a bit of wire repair but otherwise works great. You can set one or both doors open, 12"X12"X48"