2014-2015

Good Job NVarcher. Well gentlemen I checked again today and nothing but little kit fox I let go. I think I am going to pull my traps and call it a year. Never seen it like this before? Lack of sign , no weather it really crazy along with the warm weather conditions. I wish the rest of you the best of luck and hope your traps are full !!! I will still keep and eye on the site with you all.

I hear ya Bucks. I still haven't connected with a kitty. nothing but kits and coys for me. hope you all have a great rest of the year

Great job nvarcher and Cameron2! Sorry to hear your luck Bucks, it has been a strange weather year. I want to set new country, but can't because of the mud. Hopefully you come down to the auction in Fallon for lunch on Saturday. I imagine that will happen again this year?

Oh I won't miss that for sure. I will probably have some hoodies for sale too??

Hey so I was thinking about new 'cat traps and was looking at the mb 450 offset. Anyone use em and like em? Or would I be better off with some more Bridger 1.65's? They're good cat traps just like the look of the MB 450's, never got my hands on any so anybody with some insight?

NVARCHER1:

I run about 8 dozen 450's for fox. Its the only trap I will use for fox. I used to run Bridger 1.65's, but the MB has a host of advantages -- they are ready to go (as far as triggers and jaws) right out of the box -- the Bridgers require constant tinkering; the MB has a wide, smooth, cast jaw that is easy on feet -- Bridgers are sharp and narrow, which means you need lamination, which means you need to four coil them, so now you're talking either a lot of work or a lot of money; they are strong and powerful without being overkill; I catch quite a few cats and quite a few coyotes every year in them and never have had one get out. I wouldn't be afraid to go to nothing but 450s for cats and fox (I just like the larger jaw spread of the 550's in connection with my new pan-coverless trap pans for cats). They also have great swivels and chain, whereas the Bridgers still have that chincy swivel and chain set up.

I know a lot of guys shy away from the price of the MB's, but in order to get the Bridgers to be like the MB 450 -- on an "apples to apples basis" -- you're going to have to spend the same time or money. Ask Bucks&BowTies about the 450's.

Bucks and Cameron2 both recommended the 450's, and I thank them both! They are twice the trap the bridger are out the box. Nvarcher, I live in the Elko area, do you want to see the 450's or use them for a while? I can't decide if I like the 550's or 450's best for cat, but I know I've caught and held over 10 coyote this year with the 450's. My only issue is that coyote work over the 450 dogs!

As Cameron2 said they are ready out of the box and will hold the nastiest coyotes around. I put some out for cats this year and I sure liked how lite they are even compared to the 550s. It held this coyote and all that happen was he broke dog in half... Easy fix.

Part coyote, part wolf!

Geez! That's a big dog! Thanks for the offer teach but I'm in the reno area! I was thinking they'd be great for exposed sets with the big pan. I think I'll just pick some up to try out here.

450's right out of the box are the best hands down! U get what u pay for with these traps. U can buy others but will spend much time adjusting, filing, changing parts to still not have the same quality. Just saying.

Oh you guys are killing me with all the talk of those MBs. I am having a hard time restraining myself from ordering some to try out. I certainly don't need any more traps right now but I am just about sold on them with all the hype.

Moneyspots, you won't be disappointed with either the 450 or 550's.

I think I have tried just about every brand out there for coil spring traps. There is some junk and some middle of the road and there is MB's. WORD

Ok so my heart would not let me sit idle while there is still trapping time left. I took our youngest son with me on a scouting trip today and man am I happy that I did and went the way we did!!! I found more sign that I have seen all season. I found tracks in the snow, turds and old sets that had new sign in them. So needless to say I more steel in the ground my friends. I hope I can make up for lost time!!!!

how is a remake after a skunk? It was an exposed cubby set type deal and we caught a skunk. Needless to say he sprayed when dispatched and left a big old stinky mess.

nvarcher1, that is a good question. I remember my dad catching them when I was a kid. He would dispatch them and pick up his trap the next year.

Find a location up and down from the cubby set. Use the skunk smell as a lure to get them there.

Nvarcher, not sure how to remake on a cubby, but this year I caught a skunk in a dirt hole and I remade it into a walk through with some of the torn up bark and sage. I did catch two coyotes in that set the rest of the year, no cats. It will definitely have smell to draw in a cat, maybe just have a visual in the cubby to have a cat investigate more? Bucks or Cameron2 will have some good ideas.

Bucks that is great to hear you got back into the game after the seventh inning stretch. Still some cats to be caught and it sounds like we finally have some weather heading our way.

BUCKSNBOWS that is good news. I am in suspense now to see what you come up with. Sounds promising!

Ok well the sunshine and prayers from Cameron2 finally came thru!

This Tom weighed 42.73lbs !!! His Head was like a pumpkin!! He was so strong that He pulled and tore muscles in his shoulder trying to get away!!!

Oh and if you have anymore questions about those MB traps take a look!

Just incase you think I am pulling your leg on how big he was look at his feet. By the way that is a back foot. His front feet were even bigger! And not the one in the trap!

Whats that thing go on the stretcher?!

Tomorrow to pooped out tonight. I will post it.

Nice job Bucknbows! The face even looks old on that Tom. Were its teeth warn down? Looks like those 440s hold just fine. I have been itching to get some cat sets back out but can't find any sign in an area where I  can check before or after work during the week. Hopefully your new area keeps producing monsters like that.

He was older but had good teeth. MB450. This cat came from old country that I was pulling. Needless to say those sets are stayn.

Way to go Bucks!!! Cameron2 was a nice guy sending some of that mojo your way.

He is a super dude no matter what anyone says. Even old dr. Molde!

Well that suspense lasted what an hour? Nice cat.

Well sorry about that. It lasted month 1/2 for me!

Nice cat bucks! I can't wait to see that stud on a stretcher!!! Hopefully many more to come for ya in the near future!

Thanks nvsage. I hope it picks up for everyone.

Ok, I am in suspense again for your next check! LOL. That thing is a GIANT!

Yeah didn't think he was that big at first till I got him out of the set and lifted him to the quad.

Don't pester a cat till he fires back! My trapping partner last year.

Bucks do you use the offset or close jaw 450's?

I use the offsets. I feel it helps still keep some blood flow.

Hey B & B, how did that "I'm Quitting For The Year" speech go again . . . . ? I'm quitting for the year and this is the last time I'm going to run traps . . . . and then you catch the tom of a lifetime? Is that how it goes? I'm going to have to use that.

Super Cat my friend.

You know it's a big cat if it takes two days to catch it, skin it and stretch it!!!!!

I knew it was only a matter of time before you started busting my chops!!! The speech is listed above if you have any questions. Yeah and all this whoopla over 1 cat. That is not going to pay the bills for sure! Guess I better get after it for sure. Only thing I have really quit lately is smoking. 5 months strong!

5 MONTHS OF NO SMOKING!!!???!!!?!!! Dude, that's the best news I've heard all day. Suckin' on those cancer sticks will kill you!!! Really happy for you. Keep it up. If you ever have a craving for one, just think about giving Don Molde a big wet kiss and that should help . . . :-)

Nice work Cameron2. Guess we know who has all the cats from down south this year!!! Thanks for the non-smoking congrats. Now just got to loose all the weight I put back on!! Always something.

Just curious, what's everyone's best season on numbers of cats, foxes coyotes or whatever? Whats your best numbers?!
Only my second year trapping but 4 cats is my best and 3 coyotes. Did catch 14 kit foxes this year as well with a line of about 10-12 traps. Those little guys sure are cool!

I caught 44 grays one check, but coyotes ate two of them so I only got to count 42. :-(

Wow 44 greys in one check!!! I got nothing to add to that????????

Nvarcher , my season high for cats is 13 in a year, I caught 25 coyotes this year and that is a record and I've caught one raccoon double for a local rancher after they wiped out his chickens! Not huge numbers but this teaching ag stuff gets in the way

Matt...... What did that cat stretch???????