All my predator traps, that aren't cast, are laminated. Inside definitely better than outside.

In my experience, overly strong springs make a trap hard on feet whether laminated or not.

I can honestly say. I dont agree with this ^^^^^^. In 35 years of trapping coyotes I have used everything from = 1&1/2 to # 4 Texas Specials. It would be easier. To name off the traps that I have not used than all the traps I have used to catch coyotes. Weak springs = let the foot move back and forth. This causes MUCH damage. But what causes the most damage ???? = Trap fighters ! One coyote simply lays down the next coyote fights like crazy ! I have caught coyotes pin large traps on LONG checks that had only a slight mark on foot. Have also caught coyotes in traps that were their less than 12 hrs and feet looked awful. No rime no reason. IF YOU catch enough coyotes every year. YOU WILL have a % of foot damage. SO I will run shocks on my MJ 600s. And my new laminated = K9! Extremes will as so have shocks. Do the BEST you can to prevent foot damage = Laminated or shocked or other. And go own with trapping. All a person can do is = try the best they can to reduce damage

Seems like if you trap in very cold conditions, it's almost a moot point. Or am I missing something? We very rarely have to deal with well below freezing temps very often, so I have very limited experience with those conditions and their effects on feet.

I just know that my MB 650s IL are hard on feet. Even coyotes. I ordered some modified laminated Bridger #2 dogless a while back and they are very stout, and they usually leave bloody feet on coyotes as well. I rarely saw any blood with 2 coil 550s back when I used them.

Canebrake. ANYTHING is possible IF you catch enough coyotes. I once caught a coyote with a 2 coiles MB 550 os on a 24 hr check. In sand. It was a hard fighter. Both swivels were fine. Not grassed up. That male coyote = left me = its right foot and 6 inch of tendon. Just a plain old MB 550 2 coiled off set trap on factory chain staked down. Whats the point? IF you catch enough coyotes. Big trap or small. Trap fighters can have damage. I just dont buy in to the = small trap = less damage thing. Or the light trap causes less damge than the heavy trap thing. I dont buy the = short chain ober the long chain thing either

I've found on all close-jaw #1.75s I always had paw damage (most of the time excessive) on everything, especially grey fox. Add lams and BINGO! No damage! I don't run any traps unless they are laminated or have cast jaws, and preferably offset. Offset helps a lot to minimize damage, at least in my experience.

Just the opposite here…offsets cause damage, closed jaws don’t. Then again I really don’t care as long as it holds them.

I appreciate the input from you more experienced coyote trappers. Sounds like I'm on the right track adding inside laminations.

Mike, there is a lot of great information in your post. Soil conditions is not something I considered for abrasion. This particular coyote was caught in sandy soil. I will give drags a try next season, I have never used them. I have some wooded areas I think they will work good in, I might try shock springs in the open farmland where staking is necessary.

Steel traps, if I could afford mj's that would be my trap of choice lol. I only use the 1.75 in areas I have more fox over coyotes and earlier in the season. When snow and freeze up hits I use full mod montana #3. I agree we can only do our best to reduce foot damage.

As Ks wolfer mentioned. My main concern for the foot issues is farm dogs. There are not a lot where I trap but may catch 1 a year. I want to be able to release them with no cuts. I also skin feet on and the cuts are a little tough to work around.

I did try the screwdriver test and there was hardly any movement of the jaws and none when opened wide enough to hold a coyote foot.

Coyote 1. I have to be homest. Their are almost 0 grey fox where I trap. That being said. There are places I would not use big strong traps. Would NOT use a K9 Extreme in a high fence. We all have different places and circumstances. So pick what you SEE works best for you in your area

Exactly steeltraps Use what works best for yoy

Laminations help, strong springs help, but the bottom line is time spent in the trap and the actual individual animal itself and how it fights the trap. Some red fox n coyotes you could catch with a pillow and they still would get some damage just because they are a little more nutty than others.

Like anything....it's a personal preference option

Lams, offset vs regular jaw, chain length, pan size, baits & lures, etc.....the list goes on

Try some yourself...best to learn from your own experience

I personally put them on all my traps and like them

I had a grey fox demolished in a 2 coil 550 one time. But I think that was due to a chain link getting hung up on a spring pin which rendered the swivels useless.