New to trapping

I'm legal now to trap any furbearing animal in Nevada, what are some good traps to purchase? I've read a lot of rules and one hard one I see is no bait within 30 feet of the trap. Any suggestions? I've thought about dragging the bait around the trap and place it right at 30 feet.

If I were to drag the bait it would be in a straightish line to the bait site and set a leg hold directly on the path you dragged it down with some guide sticks. I would also put some snares on the trail as well. placing the trap and dragging the bait all around it could cause the target animal to go all around the trap but not on the trap.

What are you trying to trap?

Snares are fast, easy to set and cheap so you can get alot more sets out for the same or less money. 8-9 inch diameter loop 8-9 inches off the ground for fox, 11-12in loop 11-12 inches off the ground for coyote at least that is the approx for animals up here

up here typically we don't set traps within 75 yards of bait to cut down on incidental catches of non target species like birds, of course we have snow to see where the heavy trails to the bait are and the bait piles are usually in the thicker alder bushes wired in so that it doesn't get dragged off.

Coyotes and foxes is what I'm after. I'd like to set the traps a night before I go out calling that way I can check on them before I call just to see if I got something.

I would check out the forums at trapperman.com they are kind of the ar15.com of trapping

I keep my trapping and calling separate I take a 223 with me to check traps in case I get a shot at something not stuck in some steel and won't call with in a couple miles of my line

something to think about is your smell. for new sets it can take several days to weeks before an animal will even visit the site

I like #3's and #4's for fox and coyote I use long spring but have a few coil springs that I am going to try out this year.

season opens on thursday for me I am hoping that work doesn't need me so that I can be out at my cabin for the opener

My "go to" land trap is a fully modified Bridger #3 straight jaw. It'll break through a snow or ice crust and grab a bobcat or coyote. I've even held a 62lb. yearling wolf in one. For foxes in my area I'd go down to a #2 fully modified Bridger. It's strong enough to hold a bobcat or coyote also. Bridger #3 Modified

Bridger #2 Modified

For smaller animals like muskrat, mink, and coon I just use Duke 1 1/2 coilsprings or some older Victor 1 1/2 longsprings that I picked up at a rendezvous. I second Trapperman.com as a resource. It's a great forum. I'd also suggest you join The Nevada Trappers Assoc.. As a trapper I say welcome to "the family".

this is my first year trapping as well. from what i remember reading and being told is make sure you:

1. understand and follow the rules
2. go to trapperman.com and scour the archives
3. get lots of critters

Well here is what I like to use for Coyotes and Foxes


For leg holds I have used long springs but here is what I prefer

http://montgomeryfur.com/index1.htm - Sterling MJ500 for leg-hold although I have had good success with longsprings but I am liking the coil springs better for bedding in a smaller footprint. The sterlings are pricey but they hold down both sides of the jaws and seem better made (Just my opinion). I do know in testing them on aluminum tube stock the Sterling trap hit with more force than the long springs and the bridger coil springs. I think they are faster but I don't have any scientific evidence other than anecdotal evidence with success rate and deeper catches on the legs.

For snares here is what I prefer http://montgomeryfur.com/index1.htm

Foxes - I use the cam-lock with 5/64" wire (I think thats the thickness will have to check) pre-loaded (got to be careful because they will trip very easily)

Coyotes - I use the Kieper locks on 3/32" (I think I will have to check I do know my wire for foxes is thinner than my coyote snares but I have used both interchangeably in a pinch) with a slight pre-load but not much.


Hope this helps

Str-tch - where do you trap? We can have problems with the cam locks freezing solid up here

Have you tried the MB650 it looks just like the sterling but is less expensive. The MB650 seems to be one of the traps of choice up here for smaller canines.

Alaskagrown -


I trap in Utah. I haven't had any problem with the cam locks freezing solid but I do check them daily and make any adjustment. I have had them "fire" due to heavy weather.

I haven't tried the MB650 leghold traps (I will have to look them up and go find some to try out). Do they have a laminated jaw or a cast jaw similar in size to the sterling

You can get them with either they are at snareshop and are @$9 cheaper

Here are a couple of my Bridgers at work:



I'm not saying they're the best. I just find them the most capable and reliable for the price, more bang for my buck.

I read the Nevada regulations.
Bait is legal.
Exposed bait is illegal.
It is illegal to use a game animal, game bird, game fish ect for bait.
Reread the regs and you will be good to go.

We can't trap cats here, but I've heard alot about trail sets at the base of bluffs and big rocks or at other other pinch points and putting a piece of shingle ect on the pan with the trap bedded well but uncovered.

Also I like those #3 Bridgers. I don't have any experiance with MB's, Sterlings, Coyote Cuffs ect.
I did put CC #33 jaws on some #3 Bridgers and that has made for a good coyote trap in places where theft is less likely.
Theft is what puts a damper on using high dollar traps around here (Indiana).

Check out the coyotesrus forum too.

Good luck and be safe.

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