Asking a trapper what is the only trap to have is like asking a veteran hunter what is the only gun to take or a golf pro what is the only club to use. I thought long and hard on the subject before coming to the conclusion that for beginners, the conibear trap is the best one to use.
The conibear was developed by Canadian fur trapper, Frank Conibear. He wanted a trap that would kill the animal quickly so that he could run more traps with only checking each set every 2 or 3 days. (With a regular leghold trap you should check it every day to humanely kill the captured animal.) There are currently six different sizes but for this article we will stick with the three basic sizes to avoid confusion.
The first is a #110 conibear; this trap is 4 1/2 by 4 1/2" with a single spring. This trap can be used for muskrat, mink, rabbits, squirrels and some of the bigger weasels. This trap is relatively inexpensive, ranging from $50 a dozen new to $30 a dozen used.
Next is a #220 conibear; this trap is 7 by 7" with double springs and requires a setting tool to compress the springs. It is popular among raccoon trappers.
Care must be used with this trap because if a dog or cat sticks its head inside, it will die as quickly as a raccoon. Some states have regulated this trap. If set on land, they have to be in dog-proof boxes or at least four feet off the ground. Besides racoons, this trap has been used to catch otters, muskrats, mink, squirrels, rabbits, and groundhogs (woodchucks). It runs about $99 a dozen new and around $75 used. Four #220s will keep you in coons for a long time.
The third trap is a #330 conibear; this trap is 10 x 10" square with double springs. This is the most powerful trap and is NOT for the faint of heart! The same setting tool that can be used for the #220 will work for the #330. THE SAME CARE MUST BE USED WITH THIS TRAP BECAUSE NO DOG OR CAT WILL LIVE THROUGH AN ENCOUNTER WITH THIS TRAP! However, it's a wonderful beaver trap. I have trapped hundreds of beaver with it. The trap was designed for beaver but can also be used for otters, raccoons, and snapping turtles. It runs around $200 a dozen new and $150 a dozen used. I've had some of these for over 10 years and they're still catching beaver every year.
So now you're saying to yourself, "I thought this article was suppose to be about ONE trap, not THREE!" Well, just like the one perfect gun, it all depends on where you live in the country. What fur-bearing game is the most numerous in your area? A great survival set-up would be six #110s for the smaller animals, four #220s for medium-size animals, and two #330s for beaver-size animals. This batch of only twelve traps should keep you in meat and fur just about anywhere in America.
If I HAD to choose, the one trap I personally would keep is the #330 because of the numerous beaver in my area. For other parts of the country, I would take the #220 because of the many raccoons, groundhogs, opossums, and muskrats. With the #110 traps being so inexpensive, every trapper should have at least a couple at their camp.
What are the usual road kill animals in your area? This is a good reliable
indicator of the animal population in ANY given area. But use your head.
If you see two beaver lodges and four dams, then there are probably 4-12
beaver living there; but after you trap them all out, then what's left
there to trap? So be a sensible steward and trap only what game is the
most numerous in your area.
Now good luck and take care on the trapline!
--"Buckshot" from Home-stead.org. Used with permission. E-mail: beh@up.net