Trapping Info
Trap Sizes
Before any trapper starts trapping, all trappers should be familar with what trap sizes should be used for the fur bearers we intend to catch. For example We wouldnt use a #4 long spring to catch muskrats as it is to large of a trap. Below are some trap size recomedations for some of the common furbearers. If a furbear is not listed I recommend using a trap recommended for a simular sized furbearer.Bobcat
#1 3/4 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 3/8 inches
#2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#2 coilspring Padded Jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#3 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 1/4 inches
#3coilspring Padded Jaws Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
#3 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
Beaver
#3 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 1/4 inches
#3coilspring Padded Jaws Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
#3 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#4 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
#4 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
#5 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 8 3/8 inches
#220 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 7" x 7"
#280 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 8" x 8"
#330 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 10" x 10"
Coyote
#1 3/4 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 3/8 inches
#2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#2 coilspring Padded Jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#3 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 1/4 inches
#3coilspring Padded Jaws Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
#3 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#4 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
Fox
# 1 1/2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 7/8 inches
#1 1/2 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 inches
#1 3/4 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 3/8 inches
#2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#2 coilspring Padded Jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
Mink
#1 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#1 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 4 1/4 inches
#1 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#11 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
# 1 1/2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 7/8 inches
#1 1/2 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 inches
#1 1/2 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 3/4 inches
#110 Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
#120 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
#160 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 6" x 6"
Muskrat
#1 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#1 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 4 1/4 inches
#1 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#11 longspring ( two springs) Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
# 1 1/2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 7/8 inches
#1 1/2 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 inches
#1 1/2 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 3/4 inches
#110 Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
#120 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
#160 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 6" x 6"
Opossum
#1 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#1 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 4 1/4 inches
#1 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#11 longspring ( two springs) Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
# 1 1/2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 7/8 inches
# 1 1/2 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 inches
# 1 1/2 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 3/4 inches
# 1 3/4 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 3/8 inches
# 2 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 3/4 inches
#160 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 6" x 6"
#220 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 7" x 7"
Otter
#2 coilspring Padded Jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#3 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 1/4 inches
#3coilspring Padded Jaws Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
#3 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 5 1/2 inches
#4 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
#4 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 6 inches
#220 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 7" x 7"
#280 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 8" x 8"
#330 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 10" x 10"
Raccoon
#1 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#1 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 4 1/4 inches
#1 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#11 longspring ( two springs) Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
# 1 1/2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 7/8 inches
# 1 1/2 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 inches
# 1 1/2 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 3/4 inches
# 2 Double longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 3/4 inches
#160 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 6" x 6"
#220 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 7" x 7"
#280 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 8" x 8"
Skunk
#1 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#1 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 4 1/4 inches
#1 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
#11 longspring ( two springs) Approximate Jaw spread 4 inches
# 1 1/2 coilspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 7/8 inches
# 1 1/2 coilspring padded jaws Approximate Jaw spread 5 inches
# 1 1/2 longspring Approximate Jaw spread 4 3/4 inches
#160 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 6" x 6"
#220 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 7" x 7"
Weasel
# 0 Longspring Approximate Jaw spread 3 1/2 inches
#110 Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
#120 Double spring Conibear Aproximate jaw spread 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
I hope you have found this information helpful in your trap selection process. By using the proper size traps for the target animal you will produce a better catch with less damages to the animal. There are many traps on the market today but it is your responsibility as a trapper to use the proper one for the job.Happy Trapping,Dan TannerFor Education ~ Not For Profit
This page was last updated: November 26, 2009
YoungTrappers.com
12266 Puffer Rd
Fife Lake, Mi 49633
231-879-3820
