You/ll never get a #3 performance out of a #2 sized trap (550) when it comes to coyotes.

I just bought Bridger # 2 Dogless full mods to try out also !!

Victor montys or victor won't go wrong.

Victor montys or victor won't go wrong.

I beg to differ Calvin, and so do all the coyotes I've caught in mb550s. I've caught lots of coyotes in both the 550s and the #3 Bridgers and can say from first hand experience the 550 catches just as deep, holds just as solid. I've got pictures to back it up, if you'd like.

Sold all my #3 in 2009 when after to many times where the mechanics of the trap failed and the loose jaw stuck in the open position and another high dollar western cat walked away.

MB 550's and loads of critters later and "snap"... "gotcha" every time each time a paw hits the pan gives the 550's the CLEAR edge. No comparison on results if you're skilled at showing animals where to step.

Sold all my #3 in 2009 when after to many times where the mechanics of the trap failed and the loose jaw stuck in the open position and another high dollar western cat walked away.

MB 550's and loads of critters later and "snap"... "gotcha" every time each time a paw hits the pan gives the 550's the CLEAR edge. No comparison on results if you're skilled at showing animals where to step.

If your in a high theft area use two chain stakes, one straight down and one at a 45 degree angle. Theives are lazy and will give up trying to dig em up.

To the original poster.
Alex, don't buy into the 550 hype. There are better options for your situation. I know of at least one lynx that spent the night at the vets last season thanks to a 550. Not true of the other ones that I know that were caught in other traps. There's alot of shortcomings to the 550 that most people dont see or choose to ignore.

I've been reading along on this thread just like I have on many threads here lately. Been keeping my opinions to myself cause I don't want involved in any unnecessary arguments. I've used every cast jawed trap ever made. Seen No damage and seen beyond damage. Give me my $150 per dozen #3 Monty's stock right out of the box and I'll show you a pile of caught coyotes with minimal damage. Over and out.

andy when u say mongomery #3 are u talking about the new mongomery/victor makes the round jaws with dogless pan just wondering I seen them but never put my hands on them just seeing how they are good or bad thanks

Here is my two cents, for what it's worth. I started my trapping life as a tiny trap guy as one guy would say. I had nothing but tricked out 1.75s and caught a bunch if coyotes with them. Using the smaller trap early in my career helped me with trapping fundamentals.

About 3 years into this trapping thing I bought my first dozen victor #3 round jaws offset. My catch increased dramatically!!! I was using them stock at first so I did see some damage. After some laminations and shorter chains that was quickly eliminated. I kept some of my tricked out Duke and Victor 1.75s for the high theft areas since they were not eating anything hanging in the shed. They served their purpose well. Lost several of those 1.75s over the years but caught a few ocean liner loads of fur in places I might have passed up. I still used my #3s behind locked gates as Mark put it. This does NOT mean I didn't have my run ins with farmer's dogs. With everyone of my #3s that caught the farmer's dogs there was ZERO damage.

Fast forward to about 5 years ago. I had made up my mind to give the 550s an honest try. I bought two dozen new and traded for a dozen that was a year old according to the previous owner. I worked them into my line just as I would my #3s. I had high hopes and was almost dead set on retooling my whole line with 550s. I read so many reviews and saw so many pics on here that I was certain the Cavens had a fairy sprinkling magic dust on them before being shipped.

Then it started. Sprung traps with nothing in them. I mean more empty traps set off after being worked by a coyote. No nontargets, but tracks-in-the-pattern proof of coyotes. I have NEVER had much issue with bedding, or set construction. Remember, I learned with little traps so my set construction had to be above average. I was worried!!! I tried everything. I'm sure it was something I was doing wrong but could not figure it out.

Now, there comes a point that, when you are a part time trapper, you have to give up. Why change what was working so well???? Something with the heavy cast jaws, weak springs and that PawsiTrip system just wasn't working for me. Not sure what but most of those 550s have found new homes. And yes, several 550s DO show up on the trap shed every couple weeks so the next victim can learn a lesson. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they have their place and some trappers DO use them effectively. Just not me and I don't have time to try to learn.

Fast forward to two years ago. I made a deal on the Trap Shed with Rob (yoteguts) for a few fully modded new model Monty #3 and #4s. I set them that following season and they worked like a charm!!!! Those new style Montys are great for my style and methods. I also like my Bridger #3s too.

As far as taking advise on line goes, I have received great advise here over the years. I also have tried some things that just didn't work for ME. Was their methods right or wrong?? Not necessarily. It just didn't work for me.

Coongrease, while I agree on your stance on this issue, you contradict yourself by advising trappers to take advise from high number coyote guys. Mark has probably trapped more coyotes in a two week stretch than most will trap in a season or two. He makes the traps work for him. Some of us just don't have the time to work those issues out. I have about 4-5 hours a day to run hard. If a guy runs all day he has a little more room for error.

Don

With that said, I am to inexperienced to have an opinion, but thought that someone should certainly say thank you to FOXCATCHER (Don)... A lot of ppl on here hassle and hate... Don, you gave credit where due and also provided great insight for us new guys... just letting you know your response was refreshing and educating...

Thanks a million,
Jered

Regarding jaw spread,the 550's jaw spread is identical to the Victor 3N which has been used by government men to take hundreds of thousands of coyotes over many decades.I believe more jawspread can give you some slight advantage but 5 1/2" isn't too bad.For my situation,choosing a trap size is trying to balance size and strength against weight carried and the size trap bed I have to chop in frozen ground.If I had my way,the 550 would have a 6" jawspread,without changing anything else.
There was a time when a trap with a 6 1/2" jawspread would have been called a #4.The number designation isn't important.Makers change that all the time.The only thing that matters is if it works for it's intended purpose.

Sir, What number would qualify as a top number? And what do you base that number on?

Does anyone know one of the top numbers men who uses 550's?
How about anyone who has to catch or kill predators for a living , who relies on 550's?

Yup. Still waiting

You are a wolfer? Wait, then you say trapping is a sport? Which is it?

Bottom line, there isn't a single high numbers professional who uses mb 550s. And it only makes sense to emulate success. That's all I said. You can put your twist on it all you want. Actually I'm the one with the open mind here and I'm trying to encourage others to do the same and use common sense. You suggest asking around. So do I! But I suggest asking people who are legitimate top producers.

I have to ask since you opened this can of worms. How does a"wolfer" like you go about doing all of this ADC work, when you are camped out at every convention all summer and spring?

Koolaid anyone?

Who is one single high numbers trapper who uses 550's ? Don't tell me its a secret like all ofnyhe imaginary urine collection facilities.

Here's the deal on the MB550...

Everyone can argue the catch efficiency, holding power, paw damage theories till they are blue in the face.

Here is a fact - the MB550 is extremely hard to repair for trapper working farm country where truck and machinery drive overs are common. This is coming from a guy who has repaired in the range of 200 bent up traps that have been driven over.

This is all due to the use of total cast jaw.

I often thought to myself that a trap with a standard base and standard steel jaws with bolt on cast "jaw faces" would make for a superior design. Similar to how rubber jawed traps are constructed.

Does anyone know one of the top numbers men who uses 550's?
How about anyone who has to catch or kill predators for a living , who relies on 550's?

Sigh....... still waiting.

Hey Boco can you Canuks even use foot holds on dry land any more?

It's not about damage to the coyote. It's about damage to smaller non target critters. A house cat can't take a #3 like a coyote can. That's where the smaller traps come into play

It's not about damage to the coyote. It's about damage to smaller non target critters. A house cat can't take a #3 like a coyote can. That's where the smaller traps come into play

When do we get to figure out the best traps for Lions?

Ever caught a kit fox in a #3? It ain't pretty, not a bit. I'm not saying a # 3 isn't more appropriate for coyotes. I'm saying that a lot of the time coyotes aren't all you gotta worry about.

Lack of Swivels is the cause not the traps , power is not the issue. In 3 traps listed.

Lack of Swivels is the cause not the traps , power is not the issue. In 3 traps listed.

Were is data to support that statement Beav? Mark will be missed he is a world of knowledge.

Andrew N., I just did a User List search for Mark June and he is no longer listed as a member. SAD! When you have an expert, biologist, life-long trapper run off by some hill-jack that couldn't carry Mark's trappers bag! Well done!