Non target trap question

[Luv2Bowhnt]

ok guys so I'm a complete rookie trapper....just getting my feet wet. I don't have a terrible coyote problem but I've started seeing more sign lately and hope to catch some to help our fawns. I only have 3 traps currently set and they've only been out a few days. My question and it may be a dumb one but is there any concern with catching a deer or a turkey in a leg hold trap?? My traps are MB 550's. I certainly hope that doesn't happen but I do know that where I have the traps currently located, there are deer and turkeys in the immediate area every day. Thanks guys and I hope to post a picture soon of my first catch.

 

[furtaker]

You won't hold a deer in an MB 550. They will pull out after the first jump or two.

As soon as you make a good set, they will find a way to step all over it though.

 

[Doug B.]

You won't hold a deer in an MB 550. They will pull out after the first jump or two.

As soon as you make a good set, they will find a way to step all over it though.

That's for sure! I've had several step in my MB550's. When I get there though the trap is tripped and the chain is straight out with the empty trap on the end. The way a deer's foot is shaped they will pull right out. I have never caught a turkey, I would guess that would be very rare.

 

[buckpasser]

Turkey catching is a real concern. Pan tension should be high enough from the factory on a 550 to avoid most turkeys, but it CAN happen. As difficult as it is, I pass on spots that are loaded with turkey tracks. Don’t waste any time worrying about deer. I had a buck step on a 550 night before last, trip it, get out, then sniff it for about ten minutes trying to figure out what happened (cell cam).

I couldn’t tell what I had in a trap today on can so I went to it at lunch break and it was a gopher tortoise that had wallowed all over my set after morning check. He wasn’t caught, but I added another species to the pain in the butt list!

 

[antharper]

I had a friend caught a gobbler years ago . He said his leg was broken , he didn’t put it on a forum or Facebook . He made turkey nuggets out of him .

 

[Railroader]

Good info given here...I will also add that you OWE it to any critters to check traps EVERY morning.

It will be very hard for a coon, cat, fox, or possum to survive a full day in the sun waiting to be released.

 

[furtaker]

Good info given here...I will also add that you OWE it to any critters to check traps EVERY morning.

It will be very hard for a coon, cat, fox, or possum to survive a full day in the sun waiting to be released.

Yep. I don't trap much this time of the year, but if and when I do make a few sets, I always make sure they are in the shade.

 

[sportsman94]

I had a friend caught a gobbler years ago . He said his leg was broken , he didn’t put it on a forum or Facebook . He made turkey nuggets out of him .

I had a friend catch a gobbler two years ago. Same thing. I’ve never done it, but don’t trap turkey rich properties.

As for the deer I would think a fawn could be a concern. Years ago I had a blind set on a barn wire fence crossing guarded with a Bridger #2. Came up one day to find an escaped goat from the neighboring farm buried in the trap and his accomplice by his side.

 

[Doug B.]

I had a friend catch a gobbler two years ago. Same thing. I’ve never done it, but don’t trap turkey rich properties.

As for the deer I would think a fawn could be a concern. Years ago I had a blind set on a barn wire fence crossing guarded with a Bridger #2. Came up one day to find an escaped goat from the neighboring farm buried in the trap and his accomplice by his side.

That's pretty wild. Evidently a goat won't pull as hard as a deer. Also their feet are a little bigger at the hoof.


Catching a turkey may not be as rare as I thought. I don't really set any where turkeys spend their time. I have heard turkeys while I am checking traps fly down and yelp some, but they are usually across the road or deeper in the woods and don't hang out where I'm trapping.

 

[antharper]

I had a friend catch a gobbler two years ago. Same thing. I’ve never done it, but don’t trap turkey rich properties.

As for the deer I would think a fawn could be a concern. Years ago I had a blind set on a barn wire fence crossing guarded with a Bridger #2. Came up one day to find an escaped goat from the neighboring farm buried in the trap and his accomplice by his side.

That’s funny , was he easy to release

 

[sportsman94]

That’s funny , was he easy to release

I got in touch with the farmer who’s goats they were. If I remember correctly, they had sold the pair a few days prior and they got out so they were happy to come get them. I just got to sit back and watch, but don’t remember anything too impressive happening with it.

 

[Throwback]

I had a friend caught a gobbler years ago . He said his leg was broken , he didn’t put it on a forum or Facebook . He made turkey nuggets out of him .

At least somebody still has some common sense ??

 

[Throwback]

Goats feet aren’t slender like a deer so it’s not as easy for them to pull out