I was ready to place an order for Duke 1.75's, until I saw this video and then changed my mind. The MB-550's should be here soon and can't wait to use them. Good video.
There are bad shortages in my area so I could only find the MB550. Will this trap a Groundhog ? It has been too clever for the cage trap and can't get a clear shot on it because it is in my barn.
They need the pan tension set out of the box . Most have close to 5 pounds or slightly over. Way to heavy . Also the new duke 550 pro is just as good. I actually like the pan on them better .
I think the duke 550s equal out to the mb 550. So does the duke 650. Also the offset doesn’t allow blood flow just allows better lock up. Duke 1.75 is more of a fox trap and so are the duke #2 round jaws. The duke #2 SQUARE JAW or good for coyote and so are the duke #2 dogless. Bridger #2-#3 are good coyote traps. Bridge 1.75 and 1.65 are good for fox. But that’s just my opinion.
Have u ever had any damage done by the trap itself? I have heard some people have problems with this trap causing foot damage and not being able to live market the coyotes cause of it.
what do you mean by Night latch? And what is the purpose? Just started in trapping and I got Bridger #2's cause they said that's what they used, seems there's a lot of different ideas on what is best. Great video!
The night latch is a notch in the dog so that when you set the trap and pull the pan into place the pan clicks in place and you know it is set and ready to go. On traps that don't have a night latch you eyeball the pan and try to get the pan level and as close to firing as possible without it firing, you get the hang of it pretty easily but you'll have some fire on you too. Night latch isn't a necessity but is helpful. There are plenty of different opinions and it all comes down to personal preference. They are all good traps and will all catch game
Does Coyote Trapping School have a website I can learn more about trapping. We have a lot of coyotes around my house and I'd like to start trapping soon.
I was lookin at 450s for fox, skunk and opossum...can you advise offset jaws or not? I'm reading so many different opinions on which causes less pain and damage to an animals foot that I'm thoroughly baffled. Also what is your opinion on soft catch traps? Twice I've had them fired with no catch...have you had pull-outs?? Thank you, I love your videos and commentary. Very helpful for someone with little resources and help.
So far as offset vs regular jaws, I think its majorly personal preference. I think with 450s either is going to be fine, they've got wide jaws, that's going to make the most difference. I haven't used soft catches very much, didn't really like them. Are they pulled out of the bed or just fired right in the bed? May be more to do with the trap than the pads.
They were actually pulled out of the bed and even had some fur in between the jaws....so not only did they lose my catch, also stressed an animal unnecessarily and educated it. I am also a vet tech and I can't stand the thought of suffering if it can be helped. I don't care if the trap is more costly, I wanna do right by the animal whether it ends up being dispatched or released.
Could have been a toe catch that pulled out, or if there was no catch circle it could have been a deer. Deer are a common culprit if the trap is pulled out to the end of the chain and no catch circle, their foot just pulls right out of the trap. I wish more people recognized that trappers have innovated traps to make them easier on the trapped animal. We don't want them harmed and like you said, will pay more to ensure they aren't
@@coyotetrappingschool1575 Hmmmm, maybe it was a deer! There are definitely deer in the area and there was practically no disturbance at the site. Thanks for your advice! I'll keep trying but I went ahead and ordered the MB 450s today!
would you say now that you would choose a 650 cast or a no bs k9 extreme ? Thanks for the videos! Also, on your bridger #5 for beaver are those alaskan modified? I've heard the ts 85 are good too but idk
Our state trap laws don't allow us to go up to the 650 or k9 extreme, I've been wanting to try the k9 extreme jr. though, have heard alot of good things about it!
We have a coyote problem here. I shot one while I was deer hunting last December and decided to start killing them after deer season. I already had an ATN Infrared scope and I bought a call. I missed one while four were out in the field. They got wise quick and wouldn't come back out. So I ordered a Minnesota Trap line starter kit for $200.00. I caught a couple of possums and turned them loose. I had coyotes wallow on the traps and set them off. Bastards dug up the traps......I mean yall You Tubers make it look so easy but it ain't! Finally I caught a big female and was hooked. I bought 12 more Mb 550s and over the next two months caught 4 more. Trapping season is out I just pulled up all my traps but I'll be ready this Fall. The Mb is a damn good trap and Minnesota Trap Line has excellent customer service. They are worth the little bit of extra money.
Minnesota Trapline Products are jam up folks to deal with for sure. Haha you're right it isn't easy but man is it addicting! Good luck next season and welcome to the brotherhood!
I have to say.... I think the main purpose of the offset trap isn't to make it better for the animal. It's to allow the jaws to close more when an animal is in a trap, which allows the levers to come up higher and create are stronger lock up.
I've been reading up on that, found several long threads on trapperman or maybe hal sullivan's site talking about that. I can't say it makes sense in my mind how the offset allows the levers to come up higher. Guess I should look at 2 traps, one standard and one offset and do some measuring
Yea, look at them side by side with something between both jaws. In offset jaws, the true inside of the jaw closes further than the leg of the animal because it has that cut-out for the leg. That means the trap is more closed, which means the levers can close further. I don't think it makes much of a difference, though. But some people seem to think it may prevent pull-outs. I made a crude diagram. i.imgur.com/bp3YJ1W.jpg
But I see with the MBs they have nubs sticking off the jaws instead of actual cut-outs like a lot of other traps have. So this probably doesn't apply to the MBs.
I like the stock pan tension, but I found testing them prior to this season not all were consistent, here's how I tested and adjusted th-cam.com/video/dG3wNuSY7bg/w-d-xo.html
550 is a great trap but the MB650 is almost perfect. You can get it inside laminated to meet state regs on jaw size. I also like to ad a good inline shock spring like the JC Conner Tbar.
I need to try some 650s. You catch many gray fox in them? I ran shock springs on my 550s for a while but last year took them off. I like short chains so I didn't see the shock spring as much of an advantage.
Coyote Trapping School shock springs help especially in short chains...they can pump a short chain straight up they pull more sideways on a longer chain...and the spring helps take the shock out of the stakes so they don't pull out. I have caught 5 red fox in 650s....so far only one had a little pad damage but it was a minor cut that I think he bit himself...I know greys are a tad smaller...they might be too big for fox...I almost feel they are a little big for red fox. Just my $.02
here in New York it would still require a device to make the pain tension adjustable they will not accept the dog you need to be able to physically adjust it in measurements from 2 to 5 lb of pain tension if trap is over 4 in jaw spread
Coyote Trapping School well I use three traps that are large enough they are not modified much I have two LEAP Springs( pan tension is set buy a screw increasing the tension between the pan and the chassis) also known as jump Springs and 1 dual long spring both of these traps are the legal size limit they cannot physically be any larger and legally set on land I wound up taking my long spring I'm putting a bolt with a heavy spring on it it set at about 4 lb has a very light Sear it was basically on a hair trigger otherwise but now it's a little less sensitive it'll trigger at about 4 lb I don't want to get rid of its original chain as that chain and that trap is the only one I really trust to hold a bear though I most certainly do not want to catch a possums with it my pain tension device before was magnets with replaceable Springs I would still catching a possum with that big trap that was a problem as it would cause twist off and I'd really didn't have an option to release the animal anymore now that trap shouldn't catch possum anymore there are a couple of videos on my Channel if you're really interested in seeing the two types of larger traps I have the one involving the long spring is finger stuck in trap and I even did a video involving the jump spring called 5 minutes stuck in trap they're old hand-me-downs I own maybe a total of 20 traps two raccoon traps three cage traps four conibears to jump Springs 2 long Springs and 10 small coil springs for Fox I have yet to be able to outsmart the fox and trapping season is almost over for us here in New York ends February 15th most of my foothold traps are Victor's and I'm even working on trying to make my own trap from scrap metal then I'm going to have to work on making my own Springs from piano wire as the reformed Springs are just too bulky and are impeding the action of the Trap when I went for my trapping license last year they said these regulations were to get a head of PETA you know the people engage in the torture of animals how they starve them to death end throw them in dumpsters when they're done with them
You put the traps in a solution, logwood dye or a dip, that dulls the appearance giving the trap a black or brown color, helps eliminate foreign odors, and protects the trap from the elements
No I haven't. I can't complain about the size of the pan, I have seen the super big pans on some traps and wonder how they perform, but haven't ever played around with them. I guess I figure if I can get him to the set, I have good odds of getting his foot on the pan by using dirt clods, etc to guide him. You have any luck with oversized pans?
Its not quite the same but will still catch coyotes. If you've already got some traps then I'd start with them and not worry about laminated or offset, at least for your first season or 2.
+Coyote Trapping School trust me you taught me all kinds of sets in your vidioes I think I want to try the pipe dream set you showed me in one of your vidioes I will let you know what happens!!!!!!!
Mama Bear I think the 2 coil is plenty fine for coyotes, at least in the south. If you are dealing with freezing ground you might want to consider 4 coil but a new mb 550 2 coil is a stout trap
Not at all. I live and trap in the south, so we don't have freezing ground to contend with, but most everyone I know runs 2 coiled traps and I've run them for 15 years with no problems. Good traps will hold game.
I haven't. Some of the states I've trapped in the 650 was too big to set on land so I've stuck with the 550. I've used 750s for beavers and like Minnesota brand traps all the way around
The MB 550 averages about 18 bucks for a single trap ,, at Gander Outdoors they are $29.99 OUCH.....If you have ever held one you can feel how heavy duty they are
Can't blame you there, here in GA we are limited to a #2 size trap or smaller, so I can't go up any more in size, guess I'm a little biased, but aren't we all!
sorry I have to laugh because I have heard this a hundred times. The pan tension on a 550 will keep you from catching cats or squirrels. This is wrong! You will catch both in 550's. I know I caught a lot of both. Where the mistake is on squirrels is it is not walking a cross your trap, they are hopping. If it hops on your tap it will go off. And a cat is heavy enough to set it off. Anybody tells you different they are wrong!
The fact of the matter is pan tension doesn't apply just to 550's. You can and do adjust the pan tension on all traps. You're right, there is no silver bullet to allow you to only catch coyotes, but increasing pan tension will reduce in number of non target catches, not eliminate but reduce
What the hell you trapping with that ?Squirrel!! That trap isn't worth a shit with that dog that light. Must like toe nail catches. The only coyote trap i use is the MB 550 . I never touch the dog always 2.5 to 3 pounds. You got me beating my head on the floor. Shit man!!!!!!!!!!!
Disagree. It blows my mind when people say things like this. That's cheap. Someone had to mine the metal, put it on a truck, ship it across the country or in some cases the world. Then manufacture the thing. Insurance for the company manufacturing it. Taxes, shipping, boxes more taxes. Rent for factory, heat, .........etc. The producers of this trap isn't making them for fun. It's a business. For the love of God, stop bitching about price. Maybe the problem is you. Maybe you need to start a business and make more money. And another thing these traps last FOREVER.
I love the MB550s. I had a lot of lock with them this year. For my first year trapping I caught 10 coyotes.
They are jam up for sure!
Quality all the way and has everything a trapper wants in a trap, it's my favorite trap!
I agree!
Me too I caught my first coyote in my mb550 trap last week
I was ready to place an order for Duke 1.75's, until I saw this video and then changed my mind. The MB-550's should be here soon and can't wait to use them. Good video.
+Grow N' Guide You won't be disappointed, they are WAY better than Dukes. Good Luck!
There are bad shortages in my area so I could only find the MB550. Will this trap a Groundhog ? It has been too clever for the cage trap and can't get a clear shot on it because it is in my barn.
They need the pan tension set out of the box . Most have close to 5 pounds or slightly over. Way to heavy . Also the new duke 550 pro is just as good. I actually like the pan on them better .
How do you adjust the dog so it takes less weight to set off the trap.. mine seem to take quite a bit of pressure before they go off
I think the duke 550s equal out to the mb 550. So does the duke 650. Also the offset doesn’t allow blood flow just allows better lock up. Duke 1.75 is more of a fox trap and so are the duke #2 round jaws. The duke #2 SQUARE JAW or good for coyote and so are the duke #2 dogless. Bridger #2-#3 are good coyote traps. Bridge 1.75 and 1.65 are good for fox. But that’s just my opinion.
1.75 getcha a small yote
I would like you to make a video taking the mb550 apart. I have bent levers and don't have enough since to take it apart to repair or replace.
That's a good idea, I'll put that in the works, I'm pretty sure I've got one with bent levers too
Have u ever had any damage done by the trap itself? I have heard some people have problems with this trap causing foot damage and not being able to live market the coyotes cause of it.
what do you mean by Night latch?
And what is the purpose? Just started in trapping and I got Bridger #2's cause they said that's what they used, seems there's a lot of different ideas on what is best. Great video!
The night latch is a notch in the dog so that when you set the trap and pull the pan into place the pan clicks in place and you know it is set and ready to go. On traps that don't have a night latch you eyeball the pan and try to get the pan level and as close to firing as possible without it firing, you get the hang of it pretty easily but you'll have some fire on you too. Night latch isn't a necessity but is helpful. There are plenty of different opinions and it all comes down to personal preference. They are all good traps and will all catch game
Does Coyote Trapping School have a website I can learn more about trapping. We have a lot of coyotes around my house and I'd like to start trapping soon.
Yep go to www.coyotetrappingschool.com or Google Coyote Trapping School
I was lookin at 450s for fox, skunk and opossum...can you advise offset jaws or not? I'm reading so many different opinions on which causes less pain and damage to an animals foot that I'm thoroughly baffled. Also what is your opinion on soft catch traps? Twice I've had them fired with no catch...have you had pull-outs?? Thank you, I love your videos and commentary. Very helpful for someone with little resources and help.
So far as offset vs regular jaws, I think its majorly personal preference. I think with 450s either is going to be fine, they've got wide jaws, that's going to make the most difference. I haven't used soft catches very much, didn't really like them. Are they pulled out of the bed or just fired right in the bed? May be more to do with the trap than the pads.
They were actually pulled out of the bed and even had some fur in between the jaws....so not only did they lose my catch, also stressed an animal unnecessarily and educated it. I am also a vet tech and I can't stand the thought of suffering if it can be helped. I don't care if the trap is more costly, I wanna do right by the animal whether it ends up being dispatched or released.
Could have been a toe catch that pulled out, or if there was no catch circle it could have been a deer. Deer are a common culprit if the trap is pulled out to the end of the chain and no catch circle, their foot just pulls right out of the trap. I wish more people recognized that trappers have innovated traps to make them easier on the trapped animal. We don't want them harmed and like you said, will pay more to ensure they aren't
@@coyotetrappingschool1575 Hmmmm, maybe it was a deer! There are definitely deer in the area and there was practically no disturbance at the site. Thanks for your advice! I'll keep trying but I went ahead and ordered the MB 450s today!
would you say now that you would choose a 650 cast or a no bs k9 extreme ? Thanks for the videos! Also, on your bridger #5 for beaver are those alaskan modified? I've heard the ts 85 are good too but idk
Our state trap laws don't allow us to go up to the 650 or k9 extreme, I've been wanting to try the k9 extreme jr. though, have heard alot of good things about it!
Can you used these for Gray and Red Foxes?
Thanks for the advice ! Just saw a link to your website in the comments. I'll look that over for sure.
You bet. let me know if you have any questions
We have a coyote problem here. I shot one while I was deer hunting last December and decided to start killing them after deer season. I already had an ATN Infrared scope and I bought a call. I missed one while four were out in the field. They got wise quick and wouldn't come back out. So I ordered a Minnesota Trap line starter kit for $200.00. I caught a couple of possums and turned them loose. I had coyotes wallow on the traps and set them off. Bastards dug up the traps......I mean yall You Tubers make it look so easy but it ain't! Finally I caught a big female and was hooked. I bought 12 more Mb 550s and over the next two months caught 4 more. Trapping season is out I just pulled up all my traps but I'll be ready this Fall. The Mb is a damn good trap and Minnesota Trap Line has excellent customer service. They are worth the little bit of extra money.
Minnesota Trapline Products are jam up folks to deal with for sure. Haha you're right it isn't easy but man is it addicting! Good luck next season and welcome to the brotherhood!
One day I'll be able to afford those. Slowly I'm building my equipment to better ones.
Thats the way to do it, takes a while but its worth it
I have to say.... I think the main purpose of the offset trap isn't to make it better for the animal. It's to allow the jaws to close more when an animal is in a trap, which allows the levers to come up higher and create are stronger lock up.
I've been reading up on that, found several long threads on trapperman or maybe hal sullivan's site talking about that. I can't say it makes sense in my mind how the offset allows the levers to come up higher. Guess I should look at 2 traps, one standard and one offset and do some measuring
Yea, look at them side by side with something between both jaws. In offset jaws, the true inside of the jaw closes further than the leg of the animal because it has that cut-out for the leg. That means the trap is more closed, which means the levers can close further. I don't think it makes much of a difference, though. But some people seem to think it may prevent pull-outs. I made a crude diagram. i.imgur.com/bp3YJ1W.jpg
But I see with the MBs they have nubs sticking off the jaws instead of actual cut-outs like a lot of other traps have. So this probably doesn't apply to the MBs.
What do you like to have your pan tension at on those 2 spring 550's? Stock or modified? Thanks!
I like the stock pan tension, but I found testing them prior to this season not all were consistent, here's how I tested and adjusted th-cam.com/video/dG3wNuSY7bg/w-d-xo.html
550 is a great trap but the MB650 is almost perfect. You can get it inside laminated to meet state regs on jaw size. I also like to ad a good inline shock spring like the JC Conner Tbar.
I need to try some 650s. You catch many gray fox in them? I ran shock springs on my 550s for a while but last year took them off. I like short chains so I didn't see the shock spring as much of an advantage.
Coyote Trapping School shock springs help especially in short chains...they can pump a short chain straight up they pull more sideways on a longer chain...and the spring helps take the shock out of the stakes so they don't pull out. I have caught 5 red fox in 650s....so far only one had a little pad damage but it was a minor cut that I think he bit himself...I know greys are a tad smaller...they might be too big for fox...I almost feel they are a little big for red fox. Just my $.02
NC requires shock springs. What length chain do you like when using earth anchors?
here in New York it would still require a device to make the pain tension adjustable they will not accept the dog you need to be able to physically adjust it in measurements from 2 to 5 lb of pain tension if trap is over 4 in jaw spread
Wow that's pretty restrictive! What trap do you use?
Coyote Trapping School well I use three traps that are large enough they are not modified much I have two LEAP Springs( pan tension is set buy a screw increasing the tension between the pan and the chassis) also known as jump Springs and 1 dual long spring both of these traps are the legal size limit they cannot physically be any larger and legally set on land I wound up taking my long spring I'm putting a bolt with a heavy spring on it it set at about 4 lb has a very light Sear it was basically on a hair trigger otherwise but now it's a little less sensitive it'll trigger at about 4 lb I don't want to get rid of its original chain as that chain and that trap is the only one I really trust to hold a bear though I most certainly do not want to catch a possums with it my pain tension device before was magnets with replaceable Springs I would still catching a possum with that big trap that was a problem as it would cause twist off and I'd really didn't have an option to release the animal anymore now that trap shouldn't catch possum anymore there are a couple of videos on my Channel if you're really interested in seeing the two types of larger traps I have the one involving the long spring is finger stuck in trap and I even did a video involving the jump spring called 5 minutes stuck in trap they're old hand-me-downs I own maybe a total of 20 traps two raccoon traps three cage traps four conibears to jump Springs 2 long Springs and 10 small coil springs for Fox I have yet to be able to outsmart the fox and trapping season is almost over for us here in New York ends February 15th most of my foothold traps are Victor's and I'm even working on trying to make my own trap from scrap metal then I'm going to have to work on making my own Springs from piano wire as the reformed Springs are just too bulky and are impeding the action of the Trap
when I went for my trapping license last year they said these regulations were to get a head of PETA you know the people engage in the torture of animals how they starve them to death end throw them in dumpsters when they're done with them
It is a fine trap for sure!
What does he mean by dying them?
You put the traps in a solution, logwood dye or a dip, that dulls the appearance giving the trap a black or brown color, helps eliminate foreign odors, and protects the trap from the elements
have you ever tried putting an over sided replacement pan on the mb550?
No I haven't. I can't complain about the size of the pan, I have seen the super big pans on some traps and wonder how they perform, but haven't ever played around with them. I guess I figure if I can get him to the set, I have good odds of getting his foot on the pan by using dirt clods, etc to guide him. You have any luck with oversized pans?
No, i was just wondering what you thought about them.
+Brock Barron I would like to experiment with them, seems like you may be more prone to toe catches. As long as it hold him though that's fine with me
Hey I was wondering if I use a of set jaws will it just be like laminated jaws?
Its not quite the same but will still catch coyotes. If you've already got some traps then I'd start with them and not worry about laminated or offset, at least for your first season or 2.
+Coyote Trapping School thanks I'm literally going outside right now to try my first coyote in the dark!!!!!!!😎😎😎😎😎😎
Get em!
+Coyote Trapping School trust me you taught me all kinds of sets in your vidioes I think I want to try the pipe dream set you showed me in one of your vidioes I will let you know what happens!!!!!!!
I did not know that they came with a night latch good to know
Top notch!
Which model MB550 a you talking about???Thxs.
MB 550 RC 2 coiled
Coyote Trapping School
Is the 2 coil more desirable than the 4 coil for yotes?
Mama Bear I think the 2 coil is plenty fine for coyotes, at least in the south. If you are dealing with freezing ground you might want to consider 4 coil but a new mb 550 2 coil is a stout trap
Not necessarily. A brand new 2 coil is pretty stout, but there are some people that like more power for busting through frozen dirt.
H. Craig Norris I
Even nicer than the Bridger number 3 modified
I'm starting to mess around with the #3 Bridger dogless, Its coming on pretty strong!
This is a awesome trap it works great
You are right about that, hard to beat!
No problem with being only 2 coil ?
Not at all. I live and trap in the south, so we don't have freezing ground to contend with, but most everyone I know runs 2 coiled traps and I've run them for 15 years with no problems. Good traps will hold game.
Cool, Thanks for sharing.
Good to know, thanks.
603 Outdoors
Isn't it better to have 4 coil if you can afford them.?
Nice Review my friend
Thanks, these really are great traps and Minnesota Trapline Products is a great company
I concur.
have ever tried the mb 650 ?
I haven't. Some of the states I've trapped in the 650 was too big to set on land so I've stuck with the 550. I've used 750s for beavers and like Minnesota brand traps all the way around
thanks for replying I love anything that are over 7.5 inches. I wish we were able to use those old #4 jump. Those things are like a ts-85.
The MB 550 averages about 18 bucks for a single trap ,, at Gander Outdoors they are $29.99 OUCH.....If you have ever held one you can feel how heavy duty they are
Yep, you can tell the difference for sure
This girl s a $45 trap at dam beaver but I agree with you far superior trap
You can order these traps for 18$ a piece on Minnesotatraps website
Fine trap. Going to take a bridger #3 dogless over it everytime though. Or the No B.S trap.
Can't blame you there, here in GA we are limited to a #2 size trap or smaller, so I can't go up any more in size, guess I'm a little biased, but aren't we all!
sorry I have to laugh because I have heard this a hundred times. The pan tension on a 550 will keep you from catching cats or squirrels. This is wrong! You will catch both in 550's. I know I caught a lot of both. Where the mistake is on squirrels is it is not walking a cross your trap, they are hopping. If it hops on your tap it will go off. And a cat is heavy enough to set it off. Anybody tells you different they are wrong!
The fact of the matter is pan tension doesn't apply just to 550's. You can and do adjust the pan tension on all traps. You're right, there is no silver bullet to allow you to only catch coyotes, but increasing pan tension will reduce in number of non target catches, not eliminate but reduce
Just an added note...750's are beaver catching beasts..
I just hate how they lock both jaws down, I like to be able to work under my loose jaw
You got wash it first and dye and wax ! Lol !
I think that trap need to be dye and wax ! Lol !
What the hell you trapping with that ?Squirrel!! That trap isn't worth a shit with that dog that light. Must like toe nail catches. The only coyote trap i use is the MB 550 . I never touch the dog always 2.5 to 3 pounds. You got me beating my head on the floor. Shit man!!!!!!!!!!!
Too expensive at almost $20 per trap. Love your videos though.
Thanks, they are expensive!
Disagree. It blows my mind when people say things like this. That's cheap. Someone had to mine the metal, put it on a truck, ship it across the country or in some cases the world. Then manufacture the thing. Insurance for the company manufacturing it. Taxes, shipping, boxes more taxes. Rent for factory, heat, .........etc. The producers of this trap isn't making them for fun. It's a business. For the love of God, stop bitching about price. Maybe the problem is you. Maybe you need to start a business and make more money. And another thing these traps last FOREVER.
You’re mind is skewed. Buy once cry once. These traps arent dukes