Page 157 - The Lost Ways

The Differences Between Long Spring and Coil Spring Traps

One of the really big differences is size.

Your average small game (beaver, fox, muskrat, and coyote) coil spring trap is only going
to have an outside jaw spread of about 6 inches and a total footprint size of maybe 8 1/2
or 9 inches, depending mostly on the brand.

On the other hand, your long spring traps will have that same outside jaw area of only
about 6 inches on average, but the springs themselves can be 8 to 12 inches each, and
they stick out on either side. This can be problematic if you’re setting your trap in a narrow
trail or in between two trees or two rocks because the trail goes there.

From my experience, both traps close equally as well and stay shut as well as the other,
but the coil spring gives you a smaller trap that can fit into tight spots.

The thing about coil spring traps to be wary of is that the spring levers can be treacherous
to keep your boots on so they don’t slip if the conditions are muddy and mucky. Most
trappers will step on both sides at the same time when they are lowering the jaws to set
the trap. Slipping with your fingers in there can be painful at best. Just be mindful of that,
and I’m sure you’ll do great.

The long spring traps give you a spring to step on that’s up to a foot long on both sides.

The coil spring can be only an inch per side at the top before you get it flattened out.

156