Conibear traps

[brooksn]

Hey guys, last year was my first year of trapping. I had a lot of fun doing it so I am going to expand this year. I'm looking to purchase some new conibear traps and was wondering what brand was recommended and why. Thanks

[~ADC~]

What sized traps are you looking to buy?

Duke bodygrippers are a fine choice for anything under 160 sized. They are ok for larger traps as well. They work and are cheap. You only other real option IMO is Belisle Brand. 160-330 sized are great traps. The loops wont round the corners the jaws are complete closure so they will hold some odd catches to make up some of the difference in cost and the safties are great. They do not move unless you move them. The only down side to them IMO is cost. They are not cheap. So I'm basically saying go cheapest with the dukes or go best with the Belisles. All the in-between traps are good but no reason to spend the extra on them IMO.

~ADC~

[brooksn]

I'm looking to buy 110's, 220's, and 330's. I don't mind spending extra money as long as they are worth it and they last. I will use the 110's primarily for muskrat. The 220's with bucket sets for coon. And the 330's for beaver.

[brooksn]

Also, I'm going to purchase some #1 longsprings. Is there a preferred brand?

[~ADC~]

Aug 28, 2013 15:43:27 GMT -6 brooksn said:

Also, I'm going to purchase some #1 longsprings. Is there a preferred brand?

For these, anything BUT the Dukes. I'd just look for used ones or whatever is cheapest after the Dukes. The Dukes have too stiff of springs and weak frames making them hard to set and easily bent.

~ADC~

[Deleted]

I agree with Jayme on the bodygrips. I always went with Duke 220's. But re sold them shortly after season. Is there a reason for going with a #1 long spring type trap over say a 1.5 coil spring? I've caught everything from muskrats, mink, otters, raccoon, and small beaver in my 1.5 coils.

[bootleggerben]

I really like my BMI's. To say their springs are strong would be a major understatement!

[Deleted]

Just thinking back to when I was just starting to use body grips. Somehow my hands/fingers always ended up in them. You may want to go with something a little more forgiving than Belisles?

[brooksn]

coontrappernick, for the longsprings I just like how easy they are to set. They will be used for muskrats mostly on floats.

[bch]

Go to the ITA Convention there will be 1000's of good used traps there to choose from.

[Selvig]

Theft is how I loose most of my traps I set the dukes in places I'm worried about theft. I set belisle traps on private ground I'm not worried about theft. If you are new to trapping I recomend buying new traps unless you're confident in what you're buying. You will not have as good an idea on how week the springs are or if a jaw is bend.

One benefit you might get from used traps is the modifications that are already done.

[Selvig]

Aug 28, 2013 16:55:05 GMT -6 @coontrappernick said:

Just thinking back to when I was just starting to use body grips. Somehow my hands/fingers always ended up in them. You may want to go with something a little more forgiving than Belisles?

I agree completely!!!

[brooksn]

Thanks for all your help! Are there any brands I should stay away from?

[jlanduyt]

There aren't any "BAD" brands, and we all have our preferred brands, mine is Victor. I personally won't buy Dukes for one reason only, they're foreign made, but you make you own determination.

[grinnergetter]

Go USA and remember to support your Iowa dealers