Emilie Meyer
Duke traps are widely used for trapping animals such as coyotes, foxes, and cottontails. However, they often require adjustments to improve their effectiveness. Some common issues with Duke traps include weak springs, sharp jaws, and pans that interfere with the jaw closure, leading to misses or escapes. To enhance the performance of Duke traps, modifications such as night latching the pan, filing down curved surfaces, adjusting pan tension, and welding bumps on the jaw tips are recommended. Additionally, it is suggested to use traps with sufficient spring strength and appropriate size for the target animal. The Expand-A-Pan design for the Duke #4 trap addresses stability and adjustability issues, increasing the likelihood of successful catches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Modifications | Welding a bubble on the jaw tips, bending the jaw tips, night latching, filing the trap down, laminating, rounding the edges of the jaws, adjusting tension, cutting the sides of the pan |
| Issues | Weakest springs in the industry, slow, chains tied to the end of the frame, pan screw too small, jaws weak |
| Uses | Catching coyotes, fox, coon, jack rabbits, cottontails |
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What You'll Learn
Weld a bubble on the jaw tips to prevent the jaws from being pulled out
If you want to improve your Duke #2 traps, one modification you can make is welding a bubble on the jaw tips. This modification helps to prevent the jaws from being pulled out. This is particularly useful if you are targeting coyotes, as one user notes that they have "pretty much killed off most/all of the Fox around me".
To weld a bubble on the jaw tips of your Duke #2 trap, you will need access to a welder. Before welding, you may want to consider making a small spacer between the jaws to allow for a gap, in case you catch a domestic animal. This can be done by welding or brazing. You can also round the edges of the jaws to prevent any damage to neighbouring pets.
It is important to note that some users have experienced issues with the Duke #2 traps, specifically with the pan getting caught up in the levers and the jaws not closing properly. One user suggested cutting about a quarter inch off each side of the pan to resolve this issue. Another user recommended grinding down the levers slightly to prevent the pan from catching.
Overall, the Duke #2 traps can be effective, especially with some modifications. However, it is essential to be cautious and avoid any unintended catches or damage to non-target animals.
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Round the edges of the jaws to avoid harming domestic animals
The Duke #2 trap is a versatile and affordable trap that can be used to catch a variety of animals. While it is a popular choice for many, some users have expressed concerns about the potential for harming domestic animals. One way to address this issue is to round the edges of the trap's jaws.
When using the Duke #2 trap, it is important to consider the possibility of accidentally capturing domestic animals, such as cats or dogs. To reduce the risk of harm to these animals, some users suggest modifying the trap by rounding the edges of the jaws. This can be done by welding a small spacer between the jaws to create a gap of approximately 3/16 of an inch.
By creating a small gap between the jaws, you can help prevent the trap from closing completely on the limb of a domestic animal. This modification may help to avoid injuries such as skinning or bruising, which can occur when sharp angles or edges come into contact with an animal's body.
Additionally, rounding the edges of the jaws can also reduce the chances of a domestic animal escaping the trap by pulling or bending the jaws apart. This is especially important if you are targeting animals with strong jaws, such as coyotes, as they may be able to bend the thin jaws of the Duke #2 trap.
It is worth noting that while rounding the edges of the jaws can help reduce the risk of harming domestic animals, it may also require some adjustments to your trapping techniques. For example, you may need to consider using different bait or targeting specific locations to ensure effective trapping while minimizing the impact on non-target species. Overall, by rounding the edges of the jaws on your Duke #2 trap, you can help protect domestic animals from harm while still utilizing the trap's versatility and effectiveness.
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Adjust the tension to suit your target animal
Adjusting the tension of your Duke #2 trap pan is crucial to ensure success in trapping your target animal, typically coyotes. The tension settings can be fine-tuned to achieve the desired level of sensitivity, ensuring the trap effectively captures and holds your target.
The Duke #2 trap is a versatile tool that can be adjusted to suit your specific needs. One user recommends adjusting the tension to around 3 lbs. if you are primarily targeting coyotes. This adjustment ensures the trap is sensitive enough to be triggered by the weight of a coyote, increasing your chances of a successful catch.
To enhance the performance of your Duke #2 trap, consider modifying the jaws. Some users suggest welding a small spacer between the jaws or rounding the edges to prevent catching domestic cats or dogs. You can also try night latching the pan, filing the top of the dog, and making slight adjustments to the tip for a crisp release. These modifications can improve the trap's effectiveness and reduce the risk of unintended catches.
Additionally, pay attention to the size and design of the trap pan. The pan should be stable and provide sufficient clearance for the jaws to close effectively. Some trappers opt for aftermarket pans, such as the Expand-A-Pan, which offers a wider base and increased stability. This design provides more flexibility in setting the desired pan tensions, making it easier to adjust the trap for your target animal.
It is worth noting that Duke traps may require some adjustments out of the box. The pans, in particular, often need proper adjustment to function optimally. The chain and swivels might also need to be replaced to ensure the trap's effectiveness and durability. By taking the time to fine-tune these aspects, you can significantly improve your trapping success rate.
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Use a larger pan to increase stability and flexibility
The size of the pan is an important factor in determining the effectiveness of a trap. A larger pan can increase stability and flexibility, making it easier to set the desired pan tension. This is the idea behind the Expand-A-Pan design, which aims to fill as much space as possible inside the trap's jaws with an oversized pan. This design is said to increase the chances of catching an animal, as it provides more surface area for the animal to step on and trigger the trap.
The Expand-A-Pan for the Duke #4 trap, for example, has a dual pan leg setup that widens the pan base. This results in a 254% increase in size compared to the original stock pan, making it much more functional for catching a variety of animals. The larger pan also allows for easier adjustment of pan tension, addressing the issue of the single blade design being difficult to adjust.
The concept of a larger pan emerged from the problem of animals stepping inside the trap's jaws without triggering the mechanism by stepping on the pan. By increasing the size of the pan, the chances of an animal stepping on it are greatly improved, resulting in more successful catches. This design required careful engineering, geometry, and tolerances to ensure proper trap function.
It is worth noting that while a larger pan can improve stability and flexibility, it is just one aspect of trap design. Other factors, such as the strength of the springs, the placement of the chain, and the quality of the materials, also play a significant role in the overall effectiveness of the trap. Each of these components must be carefully considered and optimised to create a successful trap that can humanely capture and restrain wild animals.
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File the trap down to ensure it doesn't curve
To improve your Duke #2 trap pan, you can try filing it down to ensure it doesn't curve. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do this:
First, it's important to understand the basics of filing. There are two common techniques: straight filing and draw filing. Straight filing involves pushing the file lengthwise across the work, making contact only on the forward stroke, and is ideal for rapidly removing material. Draw filing, on the other hand, involves holding the file at both ends and pulling and pushing it across the material crosswise, creating a smoother surface.
When your goal is to prevent curvature, a combination of these techniques can be employed. Start by using a fine flat mill file to bring the surface of the trap pan down close to the desired level. You can slightly bend this file to have a slight curve, with the center "drooping" by about 1/16". This will help create a flat surface.
Next, switch to a curved file. Use this to work down any remaining high spots or bumps on the surface. Check the flatness of the surface frequently with a straightedge, and continue filing until you can't find any more bumps. Remember to make small corrections and constantly measure your work to achieve the desired flatness without removing too much material.
If you're concerned about the angle or precision of your filing, you can try placing the file on a bench and drawing the trap pan across it like a sharpening stone. This technique can affect the angle slightly, but it may be useful if you don't have access to specialized equipment.
Finally, once you're satisfied with the flatness of the surface, you can make any additional modifications to the trap pan, such as those suggested by other Duke #2 trap users, to improve its functionality for your specific needs. Remember to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines when working with tools and traps.
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Frequently asked questions
Some general tips for improving your Duke #2 trap pan include night latching the pan, filing the top of the dog, and bending the arm that holds the dog so that the pan sits level. You may also need to adjust the pan tension and put a proper chain and multiple swivels on it.
Some specific modifications that you can make to your Duke #2 trap pan include welding a bubble on the jaw tips to prevent them from being pulled out, rounding the edges of the jaws to minimise harm to domestic animals, and cutting the pan to prevent it from getting caught up in the levers.
Some common issues with the Duke #2 trap pan include the pan screw being too small, leading to slop in the pan, and the trap having weak springs, making it slow. The chains also tie to the end of the frame, which can cause the frame to bend when an animal gets caught.
Yes, there are alternative trap pans on the market that you may want to consider depending on your specific needs. Some alternatives include the Bridger #2 Dogless, Bridger #2 Dog Type, CDR, MB-450, and MB-550. These traps may offer different features or improvements over the Duke #2, so it is worth researching which trap best suits your requirements.
