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Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping #7966763
10/08/23 02:33 AM
10/08/23 02:33 AM
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 26
Ohio
R
REVOLT1488 Offline OP
trapper
REVOLT1488  Offline OP
trapper
R

Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 26
Ohio
Gonna share my experience with an offset jaw trap and my subsequent opinion, which is sure to get some people up in arms

Bought a duke #2 OS square jaw from rural king last year, which was a really solidly built trap felt good in the hand, added my usual 5 or so feet of #2 American chain to it and hit the woods, ended up setting it in a high bank trail along a creek as a blind set, chained off to a sapling.
Idk how long it sat before it had caught, but when I walked up on it, it was yanked from the trap bed and sitting in a small catch circle with nothing in it. This trail was way too thick and overgrown to be a deer trail, I would bet I had a coon or possum step in it, or mabey even a squirrel or something, but was able to pull right out because of the gap between them jaws.
The trap now serves a purpose as an weight on a setline I put out from time to time... and I will not own another offset jaw trap again. I'd imagine it would be great for coyote or fox or large coon, but for me, smaller game makes up the bulk of what I trap. In this fur market I have no reason to put out a huge line and tons of effort into putting up numbers of coyote, fox, large raccoon, etc. I run small strings trapping for meat to keep my grocery bill low. A small coon or possum, or a fat squirrel, or whatever I lost that day, would have made an excellent meal and had I used a regular jaw trap I probably would have had it. When your only running 10-15 sets and one hits but is sitting empty when you come around to check, it kinda sucks.
Lots of fellers talking about higher lockup more humane all that, idk my regular jaw traps hold what gets in em and rarely do I ever have damage done to a critter, this trap failed at its job. I don't do much catch and release fishing, I don't want to do much catch and release trapping either. Won't touch another offset jaw trap and I don't understand the appeal of em. You wouldn't crack your door and expect to keep things out, why have a gap in the jaws of a trap and expect to keep things in?

Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: REVOLT1488] #7966765
10/08/23 02:52 AM
10/08/23 02:52 AM
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 569
MO
D
Dstone1992 Offline
trapper
Dstone1992  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 569
MO
Use what works for you brother. The offset jaw is not causing you lost game.

Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: REVOLT1488] #7966786
10/08/23 06:08 AM
10/08/23 06:08 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,692
Philippines, s.e. asia,ohio
west river rogue Offline
trapper
west river rogue  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,692
Philippines, s.e. asia,ohio
Not much luck holding a toe caught coon in an offset jaw trap. Tighten pan tension for higher catches. Do what u must.

Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: REVOLT1488] #7966787
10/08/23 06:12 AM
10/08/23 06:12 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,203
Eau Claire Wi
Trap Setter Offline
trapper
Trap Setter  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,203
Eau Claire Wi
Sorry you had a bad experience, I like my os.


Life sure is tough when you don't learn from the mistakes of others.
Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: REVOLT1488] #7966812
10/08/23 07:32 AM
10/08/23 07:32 AM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 597
KY
L
learch Offline
trapper
learch  Offline
trapper
L

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 597
KY
Offset or not a two sized foothold is a lot of trap for a coon. Use the correct size hardware for your target critter and you should not have any problem.

Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: learch] #7966817
10/08/23 07:36 AM
10/08/23 07:36 AM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,535
Saginaw, Mi
M
micheal Offline
trapper
micheal  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,535
Saginaw, Mi
To each his own

Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: learch] #7966823
10/08/23 07:41 AM
10/08/23 07:41 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,225
Midland, MI.
Seldom Offline
trapper
Seldom  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,225
Midland, MI.
Originally Posted by learch
Offset or not a two sized foothold is a lot of trap for a coon. Use the correct size hardware for your target critter and you should not have any problem.

This^^^^. Tapered legs and offset jaws are a formula for pullouts!


"A few want to know WHY, the majority appear to be satisfied just knowing HOW!"
Youtube Channel- SeldomFales
Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: REVOLT1488] #7966833
10/08/23 07:54 AM
10/08/23 07:54 AM
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,027
Va
S
Spike369 Offline
trapper
Spike369  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,027
Va
Wow 1 trap, 1 miss and they are all no good. I've only been trapping for 1 year and had a few misses but never blamed the trap.

Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: REVOLT1488] #7966847
10/08/23 08:16 AM
10/08/23 08:16 AM
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 839
McCurtain Co. Oklahoma
O
OKforester Offline
trapper
OKforester  Offline
trapper
O

Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 839
McCurtain Co. Oklahoma
You got one thing right, you do need a different trap.

Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: REVOLT1488] #7966858
10/08/23 08:42 AM
10/08/23 08:42 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 63,142
Minnesota
330-Trapper Offline

trapper
330-Trapper  Offline

trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 63,142
Minnesota
I'm at a loss as to what to say because it will go right over the OP's head

You cannot use the wrong gear and blame the gear.

low fur prices are not what's preventing you from catching large numbers of anything


NRA and NTA Life Member
www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com




Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: REVOLT1488] #7966863
10/08/23 08:52 AM
10/08/23 08:52 AM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,254
San Antonio , Texas
Y
Yotegiter Offline
trapper
Yotegiter  Offline
trapper
Y

Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,254
San Antonio , Texas
If it’s meat your after get some DPs

Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: REVOLT1488] #7966877
10/08/23 09:21 AM
10/08/23 09:21 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 498
Worthington, IN
S
Scott T Offline
trapper
Scott T  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 498
Worthington, IN
A 1.5 Duke is a good coon trap. I like to stake mine and keep them away from anything they can use for leverage.


Looks like he needs another year;-)
Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: REVOLT1488] #7966896
10/08/23 09:54 AM
10/08/23 09:54 AM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,162
Marion Kansas
Y
Yes sir Offline
"Callie's little brother"
Yes sir  Offline
"Callie's little brother"
Y

Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,162
Marion Kansas
Trap didn't fail, you just picked the wrong trap for your intended job. Duke #2 OS is not a small coon, possum, squirrel or rabbit trap

Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: Yes sir] #7966899
10/08/23 09:59 AM
10/08/23 09:59 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 63,142
Minnesota
330-Trapper Offline

trapper
330-Trapper  Offline

trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 63,142
Minnesota
Originally Posted by Yes sir
Trap didn't fail, you just picked the wrong trap for your intended job. Duke #2 OS is not a small coon, possum, squirrel or rabbit trap

Truth


NRA and NTA Life Member
www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com




Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: REVOLT1488] #7966938
10/08/23 11:13 AM
10/08/23 11:13 AM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,791
el vado, nm
T
Tom Fisher Offline
trapper
Tom Fisher  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,791
el vado, nm
A long time ago I removed the pads from some #3 Soft Catch, welded a lamination on them, added a shock spring. I staked some and dragged some. The staked traps held Grey Fox,coons,cats and a couple porkys, the ones with the drags were wound up past the shock spring and empty. The offset is 5/16 on these traps, there is something else going on with your loses, if I was targeting coon, possums etc. my choice would be an 11.

Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: REVOLT1488] #7967005
10/08/23 01:02 PM
10/08/23 01:02 PM
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 203
South Louisiana
T
Trappeur Gunny Offline
trapper
Trappeur Gunny  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 203
South Louisiana
"Bought a duke #2 OS square jaw from rural king last year, which was a really solidly built trap felt good in the hand, added my usual 5 or so feet of #2 American chain to it and hit the woods, ended up setting it in a high bank trail along a creek as a blind set, chained off to a sapling."

That sentence says it all. #2 OS, 5 foot of #2 chain and chained to a sapling. You are lucky you found your trap.

Last edited by Trappeur Gunny; 10/08/23 01:03 PM.
Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: Yes sir] #7967082
10/08/23 04:10 PM
10/08/23 04:10 PM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1,363
Custer Co, Idaho
S
sneaky Offline
trapper
sneaky  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1,363
Custer Co, Idaho
Originally Posted by Yes sir
Trap didn't fail, you just picked the wrong trap for your intended job. Duke #2 OS is not a small coon, possum, squirrel or rabbit trap


Exactly. It's like setting a 330 for mink and wondering why they aren't working.


Sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand
Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: REVOLT1488] #7967088
10/08/23 04:18 PM
10/08/23 04:18 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 16,150
Tennessee
Scuba1 Offline
"color blind Kraut"
Scuba1  Offline
"color blind Kraut"

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 16,150
Tennessee
Catch and release ..... is that not called the "Brandon set " ???


Let's go Brandon

"Shall not comply" with morons who don't understand "shall not infringe."
Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: REVOLT1488] #7967094
10/08/23 04:26 PM
10/08/23 04:26 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,922
centrel PA
Kevin Colpetzer Offline
trapper
Kevin Colpetzer  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,922
centrel PA
My guess is you held a deer for a few seconds

Re: Offset jaw traps, catch and release trapping [Re: REVOLT1488] #7967110
10/08/23 04:51 PM
10/08/23 04:51 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,763
S.W.Oregon
newhouse114 Offline
trapper
newhouse114  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,763
S.W.Oregon
Can’t count the number of mink, rats, coon, etc. I’ve caught in offset jaw traps. IMHO it had little to do with the trap that you came up empty!


Life Member NTA & FTA
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain

http://alaskastoneanivory.com/index
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