Like many when I am checking traps I bring along replacements with the springs set with the safety lock on. Do you think this weakens the springs over time? I just noticed that I have some 330s with the springs "set" for the past few months. Would this affect there performance? I appreciate your thoughts.
I've done it on purpose with my new ones in hopes it would weaken them a bit. Seems like it does after a couple years a tiny bit so far but not much. I have had some fur damage on lighter skinned game like marten and weasel in the past
I like to leave conibear traps set with safeties on in winter while trapping just for convience and saving time. In summer better to let them off tension as seems no benefit.
I keep mine preset also, and add a couple heavyduty plastic cable ties just to be sure there are no accidents. Those 330's make me nervous once they are set.
I always wondered if they got weaker if they were left in set position.
I have left them both ways over the years never really noticed a difference. But if I'm boiling them I relax the springs and do my maintenance ie adjustments, dying