luke
Mountaineer
Posts: 66
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Post by luke on Nov 20, 2013 18:12:19 GMT -7
Based on what I gathered from internet searches, a lot of folks out west in certain organizations really like the Bridger #5, so I sprung for a couple. They are really, really large. Especially when sat side by side with my Sleepy Creek #3's. Is this what yall who do trap are actually using? Im no body builder, but neither am I total weakling, and I was not able to break these traps over my knee the way I do other beaver traps.
Do I just need to get my weak butt to splitting firewood or am I missing something?
Luke
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Post by Rod on Nov 20, 2013 18:20:57 GMT -7
From what I've heard, the springs are pretty tough. I don't have any Bridger 5's, but some of the springs on my traps, like the ones from Hyrum Hunter, are pretty stout, too. I tend to kneel on the springs when I set them, just seems to work better for me, especially when wearing moccs (when wearing hard-soled modern boots, I can stand on the springs to compress them).
Rod
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luke
Mountaineer
Posts: 66
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Post by luke on Nov 20, 2013 18:41:35 GMT -7
Yea the kneeling set wont work for me, I have a hard time kneeling on the ground, let alone putting pressure on the knees.....
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isaac
Mountaineer
Posts: 331
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Post by isaac on Nov 20, 2013 19:39:50 GMT -7
Bridger #5 are pretty close to the 5 lb trap we see in the Rockies. I have seen some other traps that are closer to modern #4s that were also beaver traps but not the desired 5 pounder Moutain Man history. For a long time, the victor 4LS was the go to beaver trap for trappers around here and most consider it too small today. I think a 5 is great, a 4 is as well, a 3 is getting small for beaver but doable for sure.
Anyway, I use feet but have been thinking about making setting sticks and then having something to hold them while I set. I have seen some guys doing this, oh... A I came across a quote in Tanner about not being able to set springs that I need to get to you now!
IW
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luke
Mountaineer
Posts: 66
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Post by luke on Nov 20, 2013 19:47:20 GMT -7
Thanks Ike,
I would love that quote, I can think about it when im struggling looking like a ragman LOL
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isaac
Mountaineer
Posts: 331
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Post by isaac on Nov 20, 2013 20:11:49 GMT -7
"My mother gave me three traps, and instructed me how to set them by aid or a string tied around the spring, as I was not yet able to set them with my hands as the Indians did. I set my three traps, and on the following morning found beavers in two of them." John Tanner
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isaac
Mountaineer
Posts: 331
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Post by isaac on Nov 21, 2013 8:07:11 GMT -7
Here is what I would like to try. Maybe after deer season I can check out an area down on the river where the beavs have retreated to and give it a go. Anyway... frontierfolk.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=45276&hilit=setterTanner mentions using string. I wonder if he is putting it around the spring or through the eye to do something like guys do with 330s today (I just set with my hands)... www.trapperman.com/trapperman/Basic_Sets_Conirope.htmlAnyway, cool stuff. I often have used my feet or knees for setting tough longsprings but that only works when you are standing on firm land. In a marsh or water, that is no good. even if I can depress one spring on my leg, I can not normally get both (why a string or clip to hold one spring while doing the other would be nice). I actually have liked the leafspring/gin traps for this reason that they can more easily be set by hand when in the water. IW |
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luke
Mountaineer
Posts: 66
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Post by luke on Nov 21, 2013 8:37:33 GMT -7
I have a trapsetter, basicly 2 pieces of steel stock with a bolt and nut, cost all of 7 bucks. I think its really for Conibears and it works about half the time. It was great before I developed my technique of breaking the trap over my thigh.
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isaac
Mountaineer
Posts: 331
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Post by isaac on Nov 21, 2013 8:50:19 GMT -7
I have a trapsetter, basicly 2 pieces of steel stock with a bolt and nut, cost all of 7 bucks. I think its really for Conibears and it works about half the time. It was great before I developed my technique of breaking the trap over my thigh. Yup, sounds like a setter for a 330. The one I had got lost one too many times and is sitting in a marsh somewhere in Lakes Coulee. Anyway, I like the idea of using a string and need to play with it. It is nice because it has a historical reference to the use AND a string is a lot easier to carry around than big sticks for setters. IW |
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Post by Leifer on Nov 21, 2013 9:31:45 GMT -7
While reading through this thread I was thinking of the post by Beudro on the other forum. Glad you posted them Isaac. I want to make several sets of those clips once the forge is open again in the spring at Fort Union.
I've got a set of those trap setters for the conibears. Came across the rope method last year but haven tried it yet. Watched some clips on youtube and it looks like it would work well.
Leifer
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Post by beaudro on Nov 21, 2013 9:48:43 GMT -7
Good to see more people trapping. The Bridger, Duke, or SleepyCreek #5 works best for me because I can't always find the best spot for drowning, #4's proved to fail at times because of their size and weight, but they are plenty good if you have a steep bank with underbrush to hang up on. After handling a few original historical traps I realized they were just as tough to set as the #5. I've always assumed there is something of a setter out there. Newhouse made a screw clamp for the bear traps but that is all I've ever seen of a setting tool. The clamp came with a "C" clip like I made up in the pictures below. I've never seen any other setter, but just maybe what I've done with two sticks will show up one day. I think what Isaac has found in Tanner's string might be the best for our time periods, that's a jewel to find something like string being used. I really think full grown trappers were brawny enough to set their traps by hand, I have good days and bad days. On a good day I can set one by breaking it over my knee, but some days I have to set it down on the ground and stand on the springs with one foot on each spring, then bend and try to set the trap. Some can use their knees, but mine are shot. When this don't work I go for the sticks and clips and cuss myself for growing older.   |
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Post by beaudro on Nov 21, 2013 10:14:28 GMT -7
"My mother gave me three traps, and instructed me how to set them by aid or a string tied around the spring, as I was not yet able to set them with my hands as the Indians did. I set my three traps, and on the following morning found beavers in two of them." John Tanner Isaac, thanks a bunch for sharing this quote. I like the part "as the Indians did", as if Tanner is learning from both his mother and the Indians. I keep seeing references like this and it gives me ideas that we learned plenty of trapping methods from Indians. |
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isaac
Mountaineer
Posts: 331
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Post by isaac on Nov 21, 2013 10:50:35 GMT -7
"My mother gave me three traps, and instructed me how to set them by aid or a string tied around the spring, as I was not yet able to set them with my hands as the Indians did. I set my three traps, and on the following morning found beavers in two of them." John Tanner Isaac, thanks a bunch for sharing this quote. I like the part "as the Indians did", as if Tanner is learning from both his mother and the Indians. I keep seeing references like this and it gives me ideas that we learned plenty of trapping methods from Indians. Tanner's "mother" was an Ottawa women named Net-no-kwa and was a tough old bird. The "Indians" he refers to are likely his "family" and some of the others they camp with. Most of them are Ojibwe but they also camped along with Cree, Assiniboine, and a few other groups at different times. I do not think we can confuse or base the learning of most white folks on Tanner's experience though. Although "white," he is essentially an Indian. IW |
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Post by Leifer on Nov 22, 2013 9:35:08 GMT -7
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