Feel like an idiot.

[waterninja]

Growing up I used to follow my grandfather around checking the trapline (mostly beaver). It was always fun and I still remember when he would bring the furs to town and we would go to ****kers on 97 st.
40 yrs ago I used to do some trapping of my own, mostly weasel, mink,muskrat and some beaver.
Today I bought a conny 330 at Bass Pro to trap some nuisance beaver. Haven't set one in 40 yrs. For the life of me I could not press the springs together to set it. I googled setting them and realise that there is a setting tool for connibears.
It seems stupid now but I can honestly say that I never used one before and I don't remember my grandfather using one either.
Guess I will head to Halfords and hope they sell them there.
Do any of you trappers set them without that tool?

[dale7637]

I have set them before with a rope. Loop it through the eyes, one end around your foot, the other to pull up on. I will give you a link to a drawing of what I mean.
Trapperman.com

I would also suggest keeping the rope on your person. If you get snagged in a 330 that is anchored in a bad spot.. It would be some kind of tough to get out of it.

[HunterDave]

Don't buy the cheap setting tool for 330's, you'll be wasting your money and risking injury. Get the big model with the rubber grips that locks closed, it's much easier and safer. Don't forget to get a safety tool to use once the trap is set and you are putting it in place. The safety catches on the springs tend to come off.

[Marten1576]

Heh water ninja , I have only trapper for ten years but have been led to believe our newer traps have considerable increase in spring strength either way be very very carefull.

[flyguyd]

I have always set mine by hand. Never tried a new one tho, havent trapped in a few years

[waterninja]

Thanks for the tips guys.
Esp. like the idea of springs being stronger now. Thought old age had caught up with me. I think their putting the lids on tighter on jam and pickle jars now also. lol

think I'll just buy the setting tool.

[Marten1576]

I have noticed that also on jars .lol

[trigger7mm]

Originally Posted by dale7637

I have set them before with a rope. Loop it through the eyes, one end around your foot, the other to pull up on. I will give you a link to a drawing of what I mean.
Trapperman.com

I would also suggest keeping the rope on your person. If you get snagged in a 330 that is anchored in a bad spot.. It would be some kind of tough to get out of it.

That's how I do mine in the field. Or I use a setting tool at home before I go out.

[KegRiver]

I believe that Marten is right. The new traps have much stronger springs.

I can't say the 330s have stronger springs but I know from experience that the smaller traps sure do.

I used to be able to set all of the body traps by hand. Even the 330s which I used a lot. They weren't easy but I could set them with a little effort.

I bought the setting tool, really just an over sized set of pliers. And really cheep ones at that. I didn't like them and gave up on them rather quickly.

I have used the rope technique. It works, but I found it bothersome when I could do the job by hand with only a little more effort and a whole lot faster.

If indeed the newer traps have stronger springs I would opt for the rope technique first and only look at a setting tool if the rope was inadequate.

But that's what I would do. What works for you may be different. We each have unique physical abilities. It might be a good idea to try them all before you decide which works best for you.

[jim summit]

I prefer trap setters, but have set them by hand when i forgot my setters.
I know for fact these new 330 magnums are alot more powerful then the old 330's.

[bill9044]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

Don't buy the cheap setting tool for 330's, you'll be wasting your money and risking injury. Get the big model with the rubber grips that locks closed, it's much easier and safer. Don't forget to get a safety tool to use once the trap is set and you are putting it in place. The safety catches on the springs tend to come off.

Dave is 100% and I also carry a rope in my pocket. I started trapping a little while ago and purchased some besile 330 for beaver I had to use the rope method. ( before I got some setters. And old trapping fellow called me a ***** for not being able to set the 330. So I brought it out. He couldn't set it by hand. He couldn't believe the tension on the new traps. My 2¢

[braggadoe]

when you go to get the setters. get a "safety gripper" aswell.