Trap Modifications

Most traps when purchased new need some modifications.  Most modifications will depend on your intended use for the trap.  Sleepy Creek Traps which require very little modifications.  Any modifications you feel necessary should be done before dying and waxing your traps.

Start with good quality traps like this Sleepy Creek (Made in the U.S.A) Trap #4 Coil Spring.  You will spend less time and money modifying traps and more time a field trapping.  Which in my opinion is what it is all about.

The most common adjustment is to make sure your traps are flat when set.  If pan is to high or low adjust by bending dog and/or pulling frame where dog connects back or forward.  I like the pan of the trap when set just slightly below the jaws of the trap. Note the Visual Dog Engagement system on the above Sleepy Creek which is standard on most Sleepy Creek Foothold Traps.

Coil Springs & Long Springs require that you adjust pan tension using a screw driver and a lead or steel weight. Today Sleepy Creek Manufactures Long Spring Traps Size #1 Single Spring to Size #4 Long Spring which have adjustable Pans.  My suggestion is you have two weights 1 that is 2 lbs and 1 that is 4 lbs.  

For Land Sets for Fox, Coon & Similar Size Animals use 2 lbs Pressure.  Increase or decrease based on weather, animal size or other conditions in your area.  For Coyote and Bobcat use 3 lbs pressure.  For Land Mink Sets set just enough pressure to support trap covering.

For water sets set low tension and with very little wobble.  Remember to tighten a little after a catch or I find you'll loose a few nuts, bolts and pans.  For Beaver and Otter tighten pan more.

If you have short chains on your traps and intend to water trap, I like to add a little extra chain.  To the same token if your intend to trap on land I like a shorter chain when double stake swiveling prevent lunging.  I would us a longer chain if I were going to use a single stake.  Universal swivels used as an inline chain swivel is another common adjustment for traps intended for land sets (Already Included on New Sleepy Creek Traps).

With the new Sleepy Creek Traps on the market today there is little that has to be done to improve the traps.  The Sleepy Creek makes them the right way right from the factory - inline swivels, quality chain, flat setting, strong, strong stake and drowner locks on end of chain. ext.