anyone use 1.5 coils on coyotes? would they work allright? Are they better 4 coiled? thanks jt

I've caught and held many of my coyotes in 1 1/2, they are stock traps except for the jaw tips are bubble welded, and the j-hooks are welded shut. Those changes came after loseing one coyote to popped jaws and one to an open J-hook. Never lost any others. That said if I'm knowly targeting coyotes I now choose larger traps, but if all I got is 1 1/2's left, I'll set them.

~ADC~

Forget it as a serious coyote trap.Once in awhile you'll hold a coyote with this size trap,but you will have to do so much work it modifing it that you'll be better off to just buy a real coyote trap to start with.

I wouldnt use a 1 1/2 for coyotes at all. The yotes around here will destroy a 1 1/2. You would be better off with #2 or larger in my opinion. I use #2 Bridgers with about 10" of chain and a double stake. 3 MB crunchproof swivels. Some 4 coiled some 2 coiled.

I have caught several hundred coyotes in 1 1/2 coilspring traps that have been laminated and baseplates added to them. 4 coiling the small traps will cause you and the animals a good deal of grief. The smaller angle of the jaws on small traps do not need 4 coiling and are serious over kill, and does a lot of damage to the animals foot.

the reason for laminating is to strengthen the jaws and keep them from siccor action which also allows the jaws to come out of frames, so the stronger jaws with more inside contact on the animal are much better than stock traps, and will not require bubbling the ends of the jaws.

The base plate strenthening will also keep it from wanting to bow when using a center chain attatchment, again stopping jaws from wanting to pop out of frame.

I use a lot of them while live trapping for coyotes, and although it is not my favorite coyote trap, even for the live market, I have a lot of them, and so I use a lot of them. Especially if I think there are gray fox in the same area.

If I were going to use 1.5's for coyotes,I'd set them up like this one I modified.It's a 1.5 Duke,inside laminated,with a 1/16" baseplate to keep weight down on the trap for smaller critters like gray fox.Also the levers are cut down to reduce the weight and help keep from picking up debri like grass.Also pan post is welded and the pan is also welded to the shank to help prevent coyotes from tearing it apart.The jaw tips are left alone,bending them up can stress the steel and cause cracks,and welding a bubble can prove challenging on them.With the stout jaws with the lams I don't think they'll get popped.And just 2 coiled,they are plenty stout and strong like Slim mentioned.





On the lams,they come down pass the levers so to not create a pinch point that could cause foot damage.

I'd get a 3

I have caught and held a lot of coyote in 1.5 round jaw montgomery traps set for coon. But this would not be my trap of preference. A nr2 set up like slim suggested would make a good trap as long as the springs are strong and the othe modifications were made.Especially base plating and welding the jaw tips so they can't be popped out. Putting 3 swivels is standard on most all of my land traps also. Hope this helps. Tom

wow, thank you for all the quick responses! i have about 20 1.5 older victors, i was wanting to use them for coyote, but i am starting to lean agaisnt that, i also have about 25 #2 victor and mongomeries, would these be much better? what do you use your 1.5's on? thanks jt.

I use my 1.5's for coon,muskrat,mink etc. Tom

What dose the laminated have to do with a trap?? I'm just a coon trapper.

Older #2 victors had thin jaws and while they were good for fox, theywere guaranteed to let coon pull out (after chewing). they were also a good mink trap. However, I have my druthers against using older Vick #2s for coyotes because the jaws and the whole trap was too thin. 'Haven't owned a newer Vic #2 so I'll keep my big trap shut on this one.

Can you explain?? I don’t know, that’s why I asked.

I'll try to offer some help here 8ducks.The older victor no.2 coils was made thin all over.The base plates was thin....the jaws were thin,everything around this trap was aimed more at the eastern red fox than anything else.

They had resonable power and a good jaw spread for red foxes with big feet.As a grey fox trap,they was terrible.To much jaw spread and jaws that was to thin causing cuts on the feet of tender greys.


Now came the coyote invasion and many MANY trappers found victor no.2 coils twisted into a ball of steel.Jaw pull outs,twisted frames,dogs bented into a U shape,badly sprung jaws etc. etc.

The newer no.2 victors I've not worked with but the older ones was not a serious coyote trap.

Thanks Palerider that's what I was looking for.

Like other have mentioned....I use #1 1/2 coils that are modified like Slim and BlakCoyote described...for coyotes and other predators. I use them in those high theft areas or areas where there is a possibilty of a roaming pet. Stock #1 1/2s like you mentioned (older Victors) can equate to trouble unless extra care is used with chain length, extra swivels, jaw tips bubbled or bent up.
REMEMBER...Trap modifications don't cost you money they save you money in the long run.

Another good mod is to weld on a reinforcing plate for the crosspiece. From the baseplate out to the springpin divot, 1/8" thick and as wide as the crosspiece. About 2 1/4" long. This will also gain you a bit of additional windup on the springs. Caught a lot of coyotes and cats in old 1 1/2 vics. Never a problem, other than a bent dog.

Bill

I would at least go to a #2 any way, I like the bigger target area of the 2's and 3's. Just my .02

Black Coyote those are some nice modified traps you got there.

Buy you some Vic 1.75 Pro coil spring(tricked out, out of the box). Solve all those baseplating, laminating, etc. expenses. Leave the 1.5's for the foxes. I personally have never seen a yote in a 1.5 or an old square jaw #2. Have destroyed traps as proof. Good luck with whatever you choose. IAFF

If you were buying new traps, I would suggest number 2's also, but since you are looking at some old traps, I would modify the 1 1/2's and find someone to buy the number two junkers you have.

the old victor square jaw number 2's were the worst piece of junk ever on the market---NO if ands buts or maybes about it!

If the number 1 1/2's have weak springs, buy some piano wire springs to replace them with also.

Money is one thing in this game, but your responsability to the animals you are trapping, and the image you portray to the general public is another even more important thing these days.