Owning the kills initiative: October challenge

[John G]

Today I tried using a natural notch in a stick, but it was old and weak. The deadfall's weight snapped the lever stick. There wasn't enough time to start over, hit the grocery store, and still get home at a reasonable time. Lesson learned. Better luck tomorrow, hopefully.

Anyway, here's proof that I'm making the effort.

 

[skab8541]

Bagged out a quick one today (had family in town all weekend)

 

[John G]

Today was my best trap so far. Sensitive trigger on this one.

 

[Md 25v]

Looking good John G.
You really get a feel for the progression by watching this thread.




P.S. I have pics from this whole week but need to get them on photobucket before I can post.

 

[RescueRiley]

Great stuff boys... I was away at a family reunion for a few days, But will get some more pics up ASAP.

 

[Moosez45]

I been swamped, I made a couple yesterday, but didn't get pics, so, it didn't happen. I'll get caught up. I hope. Moose

 

[John G]

Looking good John G.
You really get a feel for the progression by watching this thread.




P.S. I have pics from this whole week but need to get them on photobucket before I can post.

Thanks guys. This thread is providing plenty of encouragement and motivation. :thumbup:

 

[RescueRiley]

I'm a little behind becaus of my trip,

Sat

here's sat and sun (I know sun;s trigger stick is short.) but it was the only branch on hand

Sun

 

[John G]

Today was another good one. Nice thin trigger stick, I think that's the way to go. :thumbup:

 

[Codger_64]

Excellent work guys! I am inpressed with the efforts of everyone so far.

Something I must mention though. Before you take your traps out in the woods and set them, check your local game laws. Some States and some regions in certain states forbid the use of deadfall traps. Also be sure the target animals are in season and you have a current license. Here is the Tennessee code:

70-4-113. Use of bait, pitfalls and certain other devices in taking birds and animals prohibited — Penalty — Exceptions. —

(a) It is unlawful for any person at any time to make use of any pitfall, deadfall, cage, snare, trap, net, baited hooks, poison, chemicals, explosives, set guns, spotlights, electric lights or torches, bait, which includes any grain, or mixture of any ingredients, used as or for food purposes, or other devices for the purpose of killing, injuring, or capturing any birds or animals protected by the wildlife laws of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided.

There is a list of seasons, limits and animals which can be legally trapped.

Also...

All trapping devices must be clearly marked with the owner's name. All traps must be inspected every 36 hours or less and animals removed. When trapping on another's property, the trapper must carry on his or her person written permission from the landowner, and make a written report to the owner of any domestic animal caught and pay damages for those animals.

There is also a list of what traps are legal in the state:

Legal Traps & Specific Regulations

Leg-Hold Traps
Leg-hold traps with an outside measure of jaw spread that is 9 inches or less, as measured at the widest point, are legal for all furbearer species during the legal trapping season.

Instant-Kill Traps
Square instant-kill traps that have an exterior jaw measurement 16 inches or less, as measured at the widest point, and circular instant kill traps that have an exterior measurement 12 inches or less, as measured at the widest point, are legal for all furbearer species during the legal trapping season. Instant kill traps are considered steel jawed traps and their use is restricted to that allowed for steel jawed traps.


Live traps
Those traps that act as a cage after capture.

Steel Cable Snares
These have a minimum cable diameter of 5/64 inch and maximum cable diameter of 3/32 inch. Spring activated snares, except Collarum snares, are prohibited.

Cushion-Hold Traps
Woodstream Soft-Catch, Butera Cushion Catch traps, Cushion Catch #33, J. C. Conner Coyote "Jake" Trap, Duke Rubber Jaw trap and any legal sized offset jawed traps equipped with "Humane Hold" universal pads by K. G. Enterprises, or Sudden Valley Supply meet the definition of a cushion-hold trap. These traps are the only steel traps legal for trapping in the open and on top of the ground, provided that the trapper has specific written permission from the landowner to use the trap.

Species Specific Traps
Egg traps, Coon Cuffs, Lil' Grizz Getrz, Pos-z-loc, Cooncatcher, and Duffer's Raccoon traps are legal for furbearers during the legal trapping season.

The way our regs work, if it isn't listed as a legal device, it isn't legal.

I realize that most of you are making these and setting them in your house or yard for practice of a survival technique, but just be aware of your laws regarding posession and use of deadfall traps.:thumbup:

 

[skab8541]

Heres todays try, used just the 12" Ontario machete. The trigger started to split on me so I whipped up a piece of milkweed cordage and tied a clove hitch near the notch.

Wood was cedar left over from 1 stick fire practice just before making this trap.

 

[John G]

Good info Codger!

It looks like NYS DEC requires a trapping license, but deadfalls are allowed. I've only hunted and fished, never trapped before. I'll make sure to call the DEC to confirm before I set a baited trap.

From the NYS DEC site:

(a) Trapping regulations.

(1) No person shall claim with a stake, or set, stake or place any trap or deadfall prior to 7 a.m. on the first day of the season. Thereafter during the open season, deadfalls and legal traps may be set, staked or placed at any time, day or night.

 

[CoyotePhysics]

It's catch-up time, here we go...
#8

#9

I found a good piece of wood that was a bit too thick, so I broke out the Condor Golok to do a bit of splitting. #10 was a bit of a bust. I was still figuring out how to work with the split pieces, but #s 11 and 12 are two of my favorites so far.
#10

#11

#12

Here are my parts and tools. I've decided that I really like the Buck 119 for making traps. The tip is like a scalpel and is perfect for cutting the notches.

 

[Cliff Nieporte]

I wanted to try starting off with just one stick too:

I split out 3 sticks for the parts:

Then just whittled away at them until they fit right:

Looks like everyone's still having fun with this!:thumbup:

Cliff

 

[John G]

Good stuff Cliff! Thanks for the step-by-step. I notice your trigger stick has a raised notch (infront of the upright) that mine don't. It seems like your style would be more secure, but might also make the trigger harder to engage? I'm wondering if I should start cutting my triggers like yours.

 

[John G]

Here's two from today:

 

[RescueRiley]

everything is looking so awesome guys... I made 2 today.. and will be at work fo rthe next 3 days,,, But I'll post 5 traps on Sun which will leave me all caught up.

 

[RescueRiley]

Ok Here's some more Some are better than others.. I was just trying to bang these out quickly and while they worked I did not pay much attention to details..
Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thurs

Friday

Lets Keep up the good work guys// We're half way there..
On Oct 20th I'll Post the November challenge...So don;t quit now.

 

[Cliff Nieporte]

Good stuff Cliff! Thanks for the step-by-step. I notice your trigger stick has a raised notch (infront of the upright) that mine don't. It seems like your style would be more secure, but might also make the trigger harder to engage? I'm wondering if I should start cutting my triggers like yours.

John G......the trigger stick just has one long square notch.
I have some better pictures of another one like it that I fine tuned a little,but Photobucket's being stupid for me right now...I'll try to get them on there a little later.

It's really easy to set up & seems to be very sensitive,especially with a little downward pressure.
I think it's also a little more forgiving as far as where you cut & it only takes about 5 minutes or so to finish.

Cliff

 

[John G]

Looks good Cliff, I think the difference is that your notch goes up, while the style I'm using goes to the side. I'll try the up-notch style like yours on my next trap! :thumbup: