Traps

[Monie]

Got 'em yesterday. Popped 'em in for a wash...even added some vinegar for good measure. Man those things smell like the Chrysler plant on a hot summer evening! (*~*) BLECH!!

[Va Hunter]

Monie,
Way back when I was young and not sceered of much(read that as a teenager) I got involved with a couple of old time trappers. They had some of the rankest smelling concoctions to cover scents that I've ever run across. Right before trapping season started, they'd boil their traps. Black walnut hulls were the main ingredient for this along with some other fragrant stuff. Trust me when I say ya didn't want to be down wind of this!

[Adam]

Once you get them degreased, set them outside to get a coat of rust on them, that way when you dye them the dye will adhere to the traps better. You could also use Speed Dip (a dye you mix with gas or lantern fuel) just make sure do this well in advance so it has time to air out.

DO NOT WAX YOUR CONIBEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Monie]

I've seen several posts on using black walnut, but it was used as a dye not a cover scent.

Yeah...I didn't think it would be a good idea to wax the conibears. I like my fingers!

[Adam]

Yeah, the walnut hulls are used as a dye but there is still an odor to them (and any of the other dyeing products). Dye your traps a month before the season and hang them somewhere to air out. Since you're primarily going to make water sets it won't matter as much, but it doesn't hurt either.

[Monie]

I have to admit, you have me thinking about coil springs. If I do go with them, should I stick with 1 1/2's? I think I mentioned it....there aren't a lot of coyotes that I've seen or heard around here, so I really won't be going after them.

[Adam]

1.5's or 1.75's. Either will work well for coons and foxes. Make sure you get offset jaws and lamination is good too. For coons (and mink / rats) in pocket sets in stream banks, I'd look into getting some #11 doublejaw longsprings. They are VERY coon friendly.

Coon cuffs, Griz Gettr's, etc are excellent coon only (and dog / cat proof) but the buggers are EXPENSIVE.

[Monie]

Holy cats! If a dozen 1 3/4 runs around $100...what the heck is expensive????

[Adam]

Be thankful you don't have wolves to trap.

$30 EACH --> http://www.nwtrappers.com/catalog/pr...p?prod=MB750WO

Even GOOD coyote traps will run you $20 a piece. If I was really into it, I'd have a pile of either Montana #3 dogless offset and laminated traps, which are about $20 each or some MB which are about the same.

Even if you buy cheap traps without the mods I mentioned, by the time you do the modding yourself, they'll be expensive.

You've got to pay to play.

[Monie]

What the purpose of lamination?

Those are pretty 'spensive. Too bad we don't have badgers or wolverines running rampant around here!

What do you know about NAFA? I was looking at their site yesterday...lots of good info. Is 11% commission (for them) a good deal (for me)?