Owning the kills initiative: October challenge

[Acetylene]

But at the same time with that notch like that you are limiting if the animal happens to raise its head, then spook because or the resistance and jet just as the trap falls.

I like Ron Hoods way of shaving off the edge under the trigger, in this you tube video he discusses and shows how to do what I'm talking about right about 3:30.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seAevIIfUxY

Very nice. Yet another idea and possible improvement. I love it.

 

[CoyotePhysics]

New traps plus a question

I feel like I'm cheating a bit because I've had to build some traps out of commercial wood, but it's better than nothing.

#16 (Yes, I did use that crappy knife for this one)

#17

#18

 

[CoyotePhysics]

Ok, here is the question, How have you all been setting your traps? For me this is half the battle (well, at least a fifth). The following shows the method that I've developed, but I'd love to hear any tips or tricks that you have come up with.

Note: I refer to the pieces as the upright (the vertical piece), the lever (the diagonal piece), and the trigger (the horizontal piece) I'm not sure if there are proper names for them, but these make sense to me.

Step 1

I prepare by holding the upright and lever pieces in one hand. The upright is being held in the notch by by thumb, index, and middle fingers.

Step 2

With my other hand I lift the weight and place the lever under the edge.

Step 3

In this step the upright is supporting the weight. I am actually pressing down with the heel of my palm. I keep my index finger looped around the upright to hold it in place. With my free hand I grab the trigger stick.

Step 4

I position the trigger by mating it up with the upright first and then fitting the end of the lever into the notch on the trigger. I loop my other index finger around the upright as well to hold everything secure. With the trap held as shown you can move the figure 4 around to get the balance right. It's not easy to see in this picture, but the entire figure 4 is lifted off the ground.

Step 5

The final step is to let go of the trigger stick. With my other hand I'm pressing down on my thumb and applying a bit of clockwise torque to help keep the trigger locked in place. I check the balance and carefully let go.

Maybe this was a long winded explanation to something that you all find simple, but to me the practice setting traps have been as educational as the practice making the traps.

(and yes, I know I'm scrawny. That's why I call myself CoyotePhysics, not BearPhysics)

 

[John G]

Well done Coyote! That is almost exactly how I set my traps. Again, these step-by-step instructions w/photos are really helpful.:thumbup:

 

[HikingMano]

Looks pretty much like the way I set mine, Ron Hood demonstrates it nicely at around 5:45.

[youtube]seAevIIfUxY[/youtube]

Sometimes, if I'm lazy or if the trap is relatively small, I'll set up the fig4 completely, then put force on the lever to keep it locked while lowering the mass onto the lever.

 

[Moosez45]

Quick one tonight fellas. Moose

 

[skab8541]

One quick figure 4 tonight for me to. But also a bird snare to! Pics to follow.

 

[RescueRiley]

Nice one scab..Ojibwa bird snare
Coyote, Thats the way to set ''em brother.. took me about 6 months worth of smashed fingers to figure it out...
I shot a video yesterday making a fig.4 step by step..got all the carving on film but theangle was no god on the trap set... I'm going to try again over the weekend. I made a few today I'll get up in a bit. too.

 

[RescueRiley]

here's a quick 2 min fig. 4

and a paiute (i know it doesn't count) utilizing some quick make shift natural cordage

 

[skab8541]

Good stuff Riley. Which do you prefer the figure 4 or the Paiute?

 

[RescueRiley]

I admire the physics behind the paiute, and I fel it can be made more sensitive
but for quick and dirty results, and sheer versatiltiy on account of cordage not being necessary, I have to give it to the fig. 4
nie cordage on the ojibwa.....what'd you use?

 

[tonym]

I admire the physics behind the paiute,

I still think, if you showed a Paiute Indian a figure 4, the only word out of their mouth would be Doh!

 

[Cliff Nieporte]

Here's one from today with a longer trigger stick:

Maybe a bit too long:

But you never know unless you try.

Cliff

 

[skab8541]

Quick one tonight.

 

[John G]

Got this one in just before the rain.

 

[RescueRiley]

I'm a bit behind, Here's a few I did today with my new blind horse boat tail scandi

 

[John G]

I just saw Riley's post and did a double take! Nice knife!

Just to shake things up, today I made mine with my Condor Nessmuk. :thumbup:

 

[mcjhrobinson]

awesome job guys! i was going strong this month but the twins came early....i must say though that when i first started i had never made one. i wouldnt say ive completely owned the skill, but im quite proficient. thanks again riley for sparking this up. i know its a bit early but any ideas for November?

...maybe ill try sneak in a quick chopsticks one!

 

[CoyotePhysics]

Congrats on the twins mcjhrobinson! (You should buy them each a Buck 110 with this year's date code stamped on it)

I'm falling a bit behind, but I cranked out a few today. Only two qualify as figure 4's. I'm not sure what the third one is though. Maybe you can help me decide.

#19

#20

Here is the oddball. After seeing Skab's Ojibwa bird snare I started thinking (always a dangerous thing) and made some sort of Paiute-Ojibwa-Figure-Four Hybrid. Maybe I could call it a POFF Hybrid if Marion wouldn't mind.

I thought that It might be difficult to set, but it really was pretty easy. The trigger is about equally sensitive in any direction, and I found that the melted tip on a strand of paracord was enough to lock everything in place.

By the way, I'm behind because I've been playing with my new firesteel too much. I found one of Coghland's new models at a local store for $4, I figured I couldn't pass it up. Now I just need to start looking for Natural tinder for Novembers challenge.

 

[John G]

Coyote, nice one! That's a cool trap whatever you call it.

Today I made my figure four on the banks of the Erie Canal. I couldn't find a deadfall to save my life (unless I pried loose one of the paving bricks), so I simulated a weight by pressing down with my hand. The knife is my 1950s'-era CaseXX Serpentine Jack.