Jaws and Sizes of Foothold Traps
Types of Jaws
Padded traps have rubber pads on the jaws.
Offset jaws leave a space (1/8 inch to 1/4 inch) between the jaws when closed.
Double jaw traps have two sets of jaws. A smaller set of jaws lies inside the regular jaws.
Laminated jaws include an extra strip of metal above and/or below the jaw. This makes the jaw thicker to increase the surface area holding the furbearer's foot.
Sizes of Foothold Traps
- #1 for muskrat, nutria, mink, skunk, and weasel
- #1½ for nutria, raccoon, mink, American marten, fisher, opossum, and fox
- #2 for fisher, northern river otter, and fox (although #1½ is recommended for all fox trapping)
- #3 and #4 for beaver, coyote, and bobcat
- #11 for muskrat, nutria, raccoon, mink, skunk, opossum, and fox
- In submersion sets, #1½ traps are recommended when seeking strong, active furbearers such as raccoon and mink.