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.

i did put some piano wire on a couple of my 1.5's but, the levers twisted quite a bit toward the dog. they still work fine though. i would use the 2's for fox, but i hardly ever see one around here, yotes are everywhere though. i had some nice #3 montgermy and victors, about 25, but they were stolen a couple of weeks ago. i'm just trying to make the best of my 2's and 1.5's, i guess i will probably sell some to buy some new or used number 3's.

I would use a #2 or #3 size trap if targeting coyotes or bobcats, tricked of course. There is always the exception. My son has caught 2 coyotes in the same "coon pocket set" lured with Fox Hollow Outlaw in a 1.5 Montana on a drowner in the pond behind our house. Ain't hard to hold a dead coyote. Kind of strange looking though. Maybe he is on to something.

If ya' have some number 2's and you want to "fix" them get some Victor 1.75 jaws and levers and add new music springs and you will have a decent trap.

Thanks.Personally I use #3 Bridgers,#3vics and #3montanas fully modified for coyotes.I did the Dukes up for Mchewk for the BMP's.

Coyotekiller, I want to invite you to our FTA FALL meet in Union ,Ill....I know its a long drive....BUT...you might want consider attending as Blakcoyote will be there putting on a few demos on trap modifications of all things...lol. Bring your traps as he will have his welder along doing demos and modifying up traps and other equipment. pm me for more details...

The #2 Monties that you have are far superior to the 1 1/2. I would not intentionally try to catch coyotes in a 1 1/2, but I can see why a fox trapper would pick one up now and then. Just because it can sometimes be done, does not make it a wise thing to try.

If I was you I wouldn't use 1 1/2s unless that is all you can get. You will miss and edgacate alot of coyotes.

I can honestly say that to the best of my knowledge, (and memory) I haven't lost a coyote or 'cat out of a #1 1/2 Montgomery. I usually don't target coyotes with them, but they do show up in fox sets. I have only used the Montana 1 1/2 for 2 seasons, but I expect the same out of them. My feelings are that they lack the jaw spread, that is right, but they sure hold coyotes if they get 2 toes and a part of the foot in it. Montana coyotes aren't as big as some of you other guys coyotes, that is for sure. I don't run drags on the 1 1/2's, usually 18" or less chain, so that isn't a big factor. There is no doubt that a #3 is better, but to be honest with you, I have been more nervous about a coyote pull out with a few toes of a hind foot catch in a #3 than a few toes of a front foot in a good 1 1/2. Just what I have saw over the years. The one thing that I have noticed about some 1 1/2's is that the chain size found on a lot of stock traps will fit over the material used in the cross piece, and wedge and foul the trap swiveling. Then it can 'half-hitch' rather easy. This is a big factor, and needs to be remedied if you want the swivels to work right. Just some things that I have observed. John G.

If I was to target coyotes with 1 1/2's it would be a Montgomery or Montana. Otherwise I would undergo some heavy modification with any other brand.

On average how much are a dozen of the 1 1/2 Montanas going for John?

We, and I beleive most of our dealers have them at $99.95/doz. I will leave it at that or run the risk of advertising on Paul's board. JOHN

John, answering someone's question about your product isn't advertising.

Advertising that isn't allowed on here is when someone blatantly advertises what they have for sale when no one asked about it. I think that's called unsolicited - lol.

Its fine to answer questions regarding price, products etc.

Hey john, any plans for a double jaw 1 1/2 in the future ?

Hey Paul, Where's my hat ? lol !

And yes the 1 1/2 is a small trap for coyotes.It was designed for fox, coon, mink,fisher, and appropiate size animals.

Thanks. I am fan of the Montgomery, and the Montanas are a good looking trap.

Hi Ya'll
Ive been catchin coyotes in 1 1/2's fully modified for the last 10-12 yr's. yaa small catch area but all ya have to do is make them step where ya need them too. RayA

Anyone remember the old victor double jawed 1 1/2 coil's? I ended up with a half dozen of them from some state auction i was at trying to run up the bid on them and got stuck with them lol.

Anyway while testing traps on grey fox for the bmp's these were included. The two coyote's caught in these type traps both had full pad catch's and the heel pad was stuck under that double jaw loop each time, making it basically impossible to pull out!

I admit before testing these that trap never struck me as a coyote trap! These were standard also, no laminating, bubble tip's, baseplate or anything!

My first coyote was caught in a old northwoods 1.5 coil, standard trap. My old victor 1.5's usually had the jaw's yanked out though. If using them id definately modify to the hilt.

I only run #2's now days. It can be done with 1.5 coil's but it's not for me, lol.

I prefer the #3 Bridger, I do use some #2 traps where there are cattle. I would not consider buying a round jaw trap, especially a 1.5 trap. T.20

Thanks, Paul, I just didn't want to cross 'the line' when it comes to advertising. T-20, I was wondering your reasoning for not using #3 Bridgers around cattle, are you using them during the summer around calves?, just curious, never heard of that before. thanks, John

May find this hard to believe John but a buddy of mine ended up holding a dang cow in a modified #2 Bridger one time, lol. He also had lot's of fun releasing it, lol.

Ive only caught 1 it was on a 30 yr old victor 1.5 on a toe catch

I quit using number three traps around livestock several years ago after holding a couple yearling cattle. If the trap gets above the hoof on a cow, it will pull down and hang up on the hoof. I have never had any problem catching coyotes in the smaller traps, and never held anything larger than a deer or antelope in a number two bridger.

Never thought about cattle and traps other than the damage a big beef cow might do to the trap. A cow's hoof is wedge shaped being wider at the bottom than the top unlike a deer's straight hoof.
Something to remember for future reference. Thanks

The only cow I've ever caught in a #3 trap was a calf about 3 months old. I released it no problem, and no problem with the rancher either. (had a release through the county to cover that type of thing.) Sure, I've heard of a person holding a cow on the rare occasion, but to stop using #3's because of it is not something I would do. Especially you guys where you have a 24 hour check. Most all the pastures I trap have some cows in them throughout the year, and that is just something you deal with. Just my personal opinion, not trying to start a long winded 'ethics' debate. John

we use 1.5's on coyotes, duke brand with the new style 1.5's modified using our own mods. baseplates using high strength wire instead of a piece of steel weighing down the trap by being as wide as the base and as thick. we use 3/16 rod lamination, 3 swivels and one at the trap with about 6" of chain hooked onto 2 1/2" stakes about 12 to 18" long due to our soil content. here are some pictures of coyotes caught in 1.5's 2 years ago, we only got 4 this last year as i am the owner of A All Animal Control of Tri-State and justinmo works for me and not hardly any time to fur trap, 74 coyotes the year before.





back foot catch on 24 hour check not legal here to check two or three days

Absolutely they will hold yotes if fully built to the hilt. I do it routinely with the 3 dozen I made up. I start with Dukes, baseplate, laminate,use #3 American chain, MB cruch proof swivels,bend the jaws up and bubble,nitelatch,put in a heavy brass pan bolt and most important... #2 music wire springs. I have not educated a single yote....LOL...but have removed loads from the gene pool with these traps.

I use these fully modified 1.5s as a special purpose trap and would consider it on par with 4 coiled Bridger #2s in performance comparisons. To do all the mods is LOTS of work. There are much better time/cost alternatives out there.

My choice of yote trap is the MB 650 O/I laminated and what I normally set where I can use them. Haven't had any problems educating them with these traps either....LOL.

Here's a pic for you.

thanks to everyone who replied, i didn't expect to get this much info.lol. jt