Traps

[Ridgeratt]

Took the trapping class last year and gathering up some tools. Didn't feel that I was ready last year after the class but have spent a few minutes doing research and bouncing questions off a member on here. Was going to build some traps but found these on line. Today the brown truck dropped these off.


I sort of figured out what the cost would be to build them the first time I this just might be a push if you don't have all of the componet's.


https://www.amazon.com/Duke-Traps-Heavy-Duty-X-Large/dp/B002FYF1VW?SubscriptionId=AKIAI5P3MYV4WORZ2WVQ&tag=outdoorever-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B002FYF1VW

So this next week my learning curve starts.

[3nails]

 What's the first target?

[Ridgeratt]

I might have picked the tuffest, But during the late buck I found many places that showed bobcat tracks. So go big or go home.

I am fortunate to be retired and I can spend the month of January where I can check the line and it's close to my house. The only part that stinks is the fact cougars will more than likely be closed due to quota filled. But in my spare time I will be out pestering the local yote population as well. The other thing is I can spend some time working over the hard water as well.

[3nails]

 If you can I'd recommend picking up a swim through beaver trap to get the cat bait. Beavers are easy to catch and are everywhere.

[Humptulips]

I did not see the dimensions listed anywhere. Any idea how big it is? Good price but the reviews didn't sound that good. Let us know what you think of it.

[Ridgeratt]

15 1/2 wide x 14 tall x 36 long has the same trigger that the style as a tru-catch treadle peddle. They showed up and in good shape square. What I did like about them is they are like the old style havahart you could roll it over on it's head and do a release. With the treadle style you should be able to adjust the trip to get it as sensitive as you want.

It is the same trigger that Bernie had on his trap when he put on the class.

[Ridgeratt]

In my learning curve.

First lesson (Valuable) is that after you have ordered the beaver castor and the bobcat bait lure. You scurry out and get it off the porch to keep it from the porch pirates.
You open the box like it's Christmas and notice both bottles are hermetically wrapped up in bags and tapped. You place those in the garage so you are sure not to get in trouble with the Boss!! 
But in your haste to protect the house you just set the envelope on the cabinet in the laundry room. Wander off to watch more informational videos.
Wife comes in and since she it quite focused on tearing off addresses and shredding them she swoops up the envelope and tears it off. Then comes the 
What was in this?

But I did have a chuckle thinking what if the Porch Pirates had gotten the envelope and while driving off had opened it in the car in the dark.

[Machias]

 

[Trapper John]

I've had Duke traps before.........    I wouldn't recommend them 

Duke steels other trap designers trap ideas and has China make them.
They won't t hold up to any aggressive animal.
Raccoons tear them apart.
Otter .......... oh ya, don't even think about using them on those guys.
As for cats, (I never tried them out on bobcats) who know cats don't fight traps like other animals.
Good Luck
JC 




 

[Ridgeratt]

I've had Duke traps before.........    I wouldn't recommend them 

Duke steels other trap designers trap ideas and has China make them.
They won't t hold up to any aggressive animal.
Raccoons tear them apart.
Otter .......... oh ya, don't even think about using them on those guys.
As for cats, (I never tried them out on bobcats) who know cats don't fight traps like other animals.
Good Luck
JC

So what would you suggest? Is there a brand you like over another?

[JakeLand]

I prefer cat cages from Jesse (ouchfoss) with conibear triggers trimmed up higher so skunks and non targets won’t trip the door ,

[redi]

@Jakeland do you think the non targets eat your bait and keep the cats from getting caught? Obviously you do quite well on cats.

[JakeLand]

@Jakeland do you think the non targets eat your bait and keep the cats from getting caught? Obviously you do quite well on cats.

Yes !! With the pan style squirrels and civets would set the trap off and sometimes there would be cat tracks around the trap when the door was down . Now with the triggers trimmed up I get no closed doors unless it’s a bobcat or a coyote that backs out of them

[fatslinger]

Since you already have the trap I say go ahead and set it. It will be fine for bobcat, just wire your bait in the back of the trap near the top and be sure to cover the floor with moss or dirt. Make a little cubby out of branches or something and tie it off to something sturdy. If you are on location you will catch a cat. If not, possum soup.

[Ridgeratt]

Thank everyone for the input. Looking at the cage build It appears to be strong enough but I just may install some more hog rings to be safe.

Tie it off to something sturdy? Is this something I want to do or stake it down some way.

Thinking I will get out and set some baits this next week and then right after the holidays start pestering them.

I guess if I find my trap with a hole in it and empty it will let me know what I have to improve on.

[Humptulips]

I believe in tying it to something. Any number of things can happen to move the trap. I have had several packed off by cougars. High water moves water sets and of course people take them. If you wire it to something and it is gone you know somebody took it.