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"

[JakeLand]

Yes that's the typical conibear set up the great thing about having them is rodents won't set them off and in frozen snowy areas pan triggers get frost build up and debris under them and they won't fire off

[winslow]

Yes that's the typical conibear set up the great thing about having them is rodents won't set them off and in frozen snowy areas pan triggers get frost build up and debris under them and they won't fire off

That, plus pans don't work too well in swim-throughs.

[Huntlots]

Thanks guys been very helpful

[Blsum]

Good morning all. I am a rookie as well. I am in the process of gathering supplies to build some traps aw well. I was looking at ordering some conibear triggers and was wondering something. It looks like there are several different sizes to choose from. I will be using 1/4" round bar for my traps. So which trigger should I be ordering. Im assuming the 110 version would work  if not which one will?

[Blcktaildreamer]

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"

I have a stupid question. Does the trigger work in both directions on this setup?


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[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"

I have a stupid question. Does the trigger work in both directions on this setup?


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Not a stupid question at all - yes, it does work in both directions. When the trigger wire is pushed either way, it levers the dog off of the rod it's rather delicately hooked over.

[Huntlots]

Do those triggers that hang Down make the critter nervous? Having to push past those to get to the bait?

[JakeLand]

With 1/4" rod 330 triggers and then tack weld on extensions so they are longer

[Blsum]

With 1/4" rod 330 triggers and then tack weld on extensions so they are longer

Thanks. I'm assuming the same goes for the dogs as well?

[Humptulips]

I use 220 triggers and dogs however I replace the trigger wires with 1/8" cold rolled round stock.
I have never tried the 330 triggers but I would think it would be a little sloppier fit. Must work for some though so might be fine. I don't think the wires on any stock triggers are long enough. IMPO anyway.

I also rework the notch in the dog with a file a little to make them a little harder to spring.
You can make the trigger somewhat tension adjustable by making your rotating rod long enough so it can be slid back and forth. The more on top the your dog is the harder the trap will be to spring. As the dog becomes more straight up and down or even underneath a bit it will spring easier.

[winslow]

So everyone knows - Bruce (Humptulips) built the trap in the pic and video above.

[FirstFlight]

What springs are used for the doors?

[Blcktaildreamer]

#2 music


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[Humptulips]

actually I think 1 1/2 music wire are sufficient.