Lil Grizz trap use and modifications
Aug 26, 2007 13:40:37 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2007 13:40:37 GMT -5
Here's everything you need to know...LOL. I use them !!! You'll really like them! They are the best dog proof out there IMO. Really good on skunks as well.
For mods, I nitelatch them. Why? Because, the way the trigger operates, a coon can actually set the trigger harder if it pushes in. To beat this problem( although very rare) a nitelatch prevents this from happening and keeps the trigger how I set it. You can also shorten the dog engagement latch and get the same end result.
I also drill another hole in the bottom for drainage...as I trap in the Pacific NW and a foot of rain in a day is "normal"...LOL.
Trap prep...I don't do anything other than the nitelatch. No need, everything on these traps is top quality. Top quality chain and super heavy duty swivels!! Just make sure the trigger mechanism pivots easily. If it is stiff, just a drop of vegetable oil on the pivot points and you may need to clean rust off the pivot area.
Setting. You can set them by hand...watch out for the dog flipping back when your hands are numb and frozen...it'll smart. If you are wearing gloves no big deal....just a sting..LOL. You can also set them with a screwdriver with a hook at the end, or if you are handy...make your own setter. I did. Just look at the catalog pics and it's a no brainer. Or...you can just buy one.
Bait...Whatever you want. I've found sticky lures to be best. Molasses, jams etc. Use whatever you've found best for coon/skunk in your area. You can also put jack mackeral etc in but this will pull in feral cats.
If you are using sticky stuff....mini mallows work great inside. I put a few inside....make sure to get them behind the trigger. Do this with a stick!! You don't want your finger in one of these!!You can also impale a sponge chunk on the trigger and saturate this with the lure of your choice. Another alternative is to put a piece of rubber tubing on the trigger for some more "feel" for the coon. I have found this is not needed....but some say it works. Then a handful of mini mallows around the trap and you are ready. You can play Hansel and Grettl and lay out a few mallows in a trail. But, lots of times birds or mice will clean out your trail. I always lay a scent trail with a fish oil mix to the trap. This lets me pull them in from any trails they may be on, even if the mallows are eaten by something else.
You may experience mouse clean outs. Some guys jam a whole full sized mallow behind the trigger and also one in the trap opening and this will prevent it. I'll be testing this out this season. Eventually, you'll have a happy day when you catch the little bait stealer!!! Then I use them for yote bait. Fish based stuff and it's not so much of an issue, but then there is the feral cats. Good news....you can release unharmed most of the time.
Some guys push them in the ground and twist them ...this is how the directions state to use them. My soil is too rocky for this. I put them at a 45-60' angle with the trigger mechanism on the top. This keeps them from filling with rain as well. If it is really pouring, I rig a roof over the trap with a large chunk of bark. Just make sure the dog can fire up. To hold them in place, I pound in 3-4 thumb sized sticks about 8-10" long in a crisscross pattern through the traps big U. ( You can see one of them sticking out on the left side of the picture).
This is to snug the whole trap up tight. The most important thing is that the critter can't roll them....or trip the trigger on top. Again...I think the nitelatch prevents any monkeying with this. I Pogo the actual trap in. You can also wire them to whatever is handy. Use good stout beaver wire. 
I don't dye and wax mine, but you certainly could. You can also dip them or spray paint them. Mine go in the ground in their natural state.
Fianlly, get the skinning knife ready.
Here's a picture of my early Christmas. Look what I got..LOL!! My son made me the t-shirt with the company logo. Yup...I like them!!!
Where to buy them...Minnesota Trapline Products has as good a price as anyone on them, they ship lightning fast and they'll treat you right!!
Cleaned out traps most likely mice. Coon will be waiting for you in the morning. Eventually you'll get those little bait theives. Revenge is sweet...LOL.
Here's one of my best days on the line!! These two had eaten about 3 bags of marshmallows. Glad to turn them into yote bait.
For mods, I nitelatch them. Why? Because, the way the trigger operates, a coon can actually set the trigger harder if it pushes in. To beat this problem( although very rare) a nitelatch prevents this from happening and keeps the trigger how I set it. You can also shorten the dog engagement latch and get the same end result.
I also drill another hole in the bottom for drainage...as I trap in the Pacific NW and a foot of rain in a day is "normal"...LOL.
Trap prep...I don't do anything other than the nitelatch. No need, everything on these traps is top quality. Top quality chain and super heavy duty swivels!! Just make sure the trigger mechanism pivots easily. If it is stiff, just a drop of vegetable oil on the pivot points and you may need to clean rust off the pivot area.
Setting. You can set them by hand...watch out for the dog flipping back when your hands are numb and frozen...it'll smart. If you are wearing gloves no big deal....just a sting..LOL. You can also set them with a screwdriver with a hook at the end, or if you are handy...make your own setter. I did. Just look at the catalog pics and it's a no brainer. Or...you can just buy one.
Bait...Whatever you want. I've found sticky lures to be best. Molasses, jams etc. Use whatever you've found best for coon/skunk in your area. You can also put jack mackeral etc in but this will pull in feral cats.
If you are using sticky stuff....mini mallows work great inside. I put a few inside....make sure to get them behind the trigger. Do this with a stick!! You don't want your finger in one of these!!You can also impale a sponge chunk on the trigger and saturate this with the lure of your choice. Another alternative is to put a piece of rubber tubing on the trigger for some more "feel" for the coon. I have found this is not needed....but some say it works. Then a handful of mini mallows around the trap and you are ready. You can play Hansel and Grettl and lay out a few mallows in a trail. But, lots of times birds or mice will clean out your trail. I always lay a scent trail with a fish oil mix to the trap. This lets me pull them in from any trails they may be on, even if the mallows are eaten by something else.
You may experience mouse clean outs. Some guys jam a whole full sized mallow behind the trigger and also one in the trap opening and this will prevent it. I'll be testing this out this season. Eventually, you'll have a happy day when you catch the little bait stealer!!! Then I use them for yote bait. Fish based stuff and it's not so much of an issue, but then there is the feral cats. Good news....you can release unharmed most of the time.
Some guys push them in the ground and twist them ...this is how the directions state to use them. My soil is too rocky for this. I put them at a 45-60' angle with the trigger mechanism on the top. This keeps them from filling with rain as well. If it is really pouring, I rig a roof over the trap with a large chunk of bark. Just make sure the dog can fire up. To hold them in place, I pound in 3-4 thumb sized sticks about 8-10" long in a crisscross pattern through the traps big U. ( You can see one of them sticking out on the left side of the picture).
This is to snug the whole trap up tight. The most important thing is that the critter can't roll them....or trip the trigger on top. Again...I think the nitelatch prevents any monkeying with this. I Pogo the actual trap in. You can also wire them to whatever is handy. Use good stout beaver wire. I don't dye and wax mine, but you certainly could. You can also dip them or spray paint them. Mine go in the ground in their natural state.
Fianlly, get the skinning knife ready.
Here's a picture of my early Christmas. Look what I got..LOL!! My son made me the t-shirt with the company logo. Yup...I like them!!!
Where to buy them...Minnesota Trapline Products has as good a price as anyone on them, they ship lightning fast and they'll treat you right!!
Cleaned out traps most likely mice. Coon will be waiting for you in the morning. Eventually you'll get those little bait theives. Revenge is sweet...LOL.
Here's one of my best days on the line!! These two had eaten about 3 bags of marshmallows. Glad to turn them into yote bait.