TS85 or MB750. But since we are in PA so Duke #4's are a good choice.

 

Duke #4 has worked well for me to. I no there are better traps but they do a nice job for me for the price.

 

bridger #3 mb550 i front foot them so i can use smaller traps.

 

I'm using Bridger #3 Four-Coiled Closed Jaw....Works Fine....Learn how to use snares too...A lot lighter to carry if you're walking a ways.

 

Bronzeback are you using snares under ice or under water?I havnt read a reg about using them anywhere in our state for beaver.

Are you guys using the Bridger #3s and Duke #4s for front or back foot holds?

 

I trap lots of beavers , all I go for is the front foot . the largest trap we can set is a bridger # 3 or sleepy creek # 4 . a hind foot will fill that up quickly . doesn't take anything bigger than a # 1 as long as your drowning rig is set up good . the snares are my preferred method . as long as they are in a watercourse you are legal . don't have to be submerged . set them up in pinch points or at bait or castor mounds . can't beat them .

 

Duke 4 or bridger 3 best bang for your buck

 

Duke 4 with 1/4" spring pin with #3 music wire mains and #1.5 music wire helper springs. They are scary strong but do a good job at holding the webbed part of the back foot.

If we were allowed bigger traps I would use nothing but MB 750s...

 

Duke 4 with 1/4" spring pin with #3 music wire mains and #1.5 music wire helper springs. They are scary strong but do a good job at holding the webbed part of the back foot.

If we were allowed bigger traps I would use nothing but MB 750s...

why do you need 4 coils when drowning ?

 

A beaver fights a trap hardest while it is drowning...and the toes on thier back feet are fairly straight and tapered. Because we are limited to small traps for beaver, it is rare to get the whole back foot in the jaws (over the heel). It takes some power to hold the slippery back toes.

Front foot not nearly that much power is needed.

I set beaver traps in a way that I get quite a few back foot catches...so I need the trap to perform on back feet.

When you live in PA you learn to kill beaver in foot traps...and ya got to make smaller traps work as best ya can. There are a lot of GOOD beaver trappers in other states that never set a foot trap. Many in PA have to rely on them.