Jan 13

Clint Rants about the Tiny Trap Club, use what you want to catch animals, but don’t tell me what to use!

This has been on Wolfer Nation for a while. I am talking about all the “talking down to” I get from trappers that decide to use small traps. I personally don’t care what you use, I’m just glad your trapping. I also do not try to put trappers down that use different gear than I do. I understand that my trap choices are not for everyone, that’s fine with me. The point of this rant is to explain my thinking and reasoning to using the bigger style trap. If you decide to be a member of the Tiny Trap Club, Great! If you use larger traps, Great! Use what you think is best. Just don’t tell me  or other trappers what they should be using or talking about.


  1. Gail Keller

    Unfortunately,one size does not fit all and bigger is not always better,when it comes to modern day trapping,there are many factors that must be calculated into the equation.First,you must decide what size and type trap is allowed by your state regulations,very few states allow a seven and one-half inch trap to be set on land,be it public or private land.Second,one must consider competition and the possibility of theft,no one can afford to lose very many traps that can go as high as $400 a dozen and theft occurs on private and public land.Third,the picture of a non-target catch in a seven and one-half inch trap,especially an anti-trapping advocate’s dog,on the front page of the local Sunday newspaper in an expose article against foothold and conibear traps can never be a good thing for trappers or trapping,no matter what the circumstances behind the catch.In Clint’s situation in Texas,behind a high fence,with no competition,and a contract to take all the predators and feral animals possible,the seven and one-half inch trap is a viable alternative,but it is hardly the answer to every trapper’s situation in all the other states in the United States.I have an old saying that states,”A large trap forgives a multitude of sins”.It simply means that you should always use the largest trap possible when you make your set,the larger the jaw spread and the pan,the larger the target area and usually the better your success rate due to the elimination of the possibility of marginal catches and misses.Still,you must make your set on location,position and bed your trap as stable as possible, in areas of freeze and thaw,you must make your set with some type of a freeze-proof method,and you must set your pan tension for your desired animal.These things are done by all common sense trappers,no matter what size trap you use and they will be the things that will bring you success on your trap line.Trapping is a skill that is earned through many seasons of hard work and trial and error,there is no silver bullet,be it lure,bait,book,DVD,or trap,if there was we would all be doing the same thing and we would all be experts,by now.Trapping is a life choice and an education that never ends,enjoy it and when you get older,you will realize the true reward of trapping is passing on the legacy of trapping to the next generation,as it was passed on to you.Good luck.

  2. Josh Chapman

    I agree with your side of the argument in full, and i use mostly smaller traps. The only advantage to smaller traps is the lighter packing weight, and the lesser cost… If you can afford it, go big… theres nothing worse than the feeling of walking upto a set and there be a big circle wore in the dirt and a #2 s
    lying there with a little bit of blood and fur on the jaws. Next year theyll be replaced with #4 traps

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