(Double click on all photos to enlarge)

A live restraint device constructed of durable white nylon and steel with an enclosed trigger and casing that encapsulates the captured foot. This device demonstrates exceptional performance with animal welfare, safety, selectivity, and efficiency.

Approximate Size: 3 ¾" in diameter and 4 ½" long

Approximate Weight: 5/8 lb.

US Patent 4,633,610

OPEN THE TRAP - Remove screws and lift lid. These traps are assembled with two screws to prevent the lid from accidentally opening and to facilitate removal of the trapped animal. A magnetized socket for use on a commercially available battery operated screw gun makes the screw placement and removal a quick and easy job.

CLOSE THE TRAP - Align the three fixed tabs of the lid with their respective channels in the body of the trap. Depress the flexible tab and push lid down in to the body. Apply pressure to the cover while placing screws.

ANCHOR THE TRAP- Each trap comes with 24" of 3/32 aircraft cable with an aluminum stop affixed to one end. Thread the opposite end through the hole in the base of the trap and determine the cable length based on your personal anchoring system (i.e. snare swivel, universal swivel, shock spring, earth anchor, stake swivel, etc). Slide the remaining aluminum button on to the cable and affix just below the base of the trap. Use the double ferrule to make a closed loop and attach your anchoring system. An appropriately sized closed loop can also be used when anchoring with staples or rerod stakes.

SET THE SPRING PLATE - (Refer to Figures 1 and 2) Clamp the vise grip in the corner of the spring plate post tight enough to avoid slippage. Insert the steel tube roll pin over the spring arm until it stops (the depth is already set). Lower the trigger so that the steel spring-catch is free to rotate back and forth to the post.

Hold the vise grip in your left hand while holding the spring-catch with your left thumb enough to allow the spring to slip under the toe of the spring-catch. Swing the spring arm back to the post using the steel tube as leverage in the right hand. Push the spring-catch forward by exerting pressure by the left thumb on the thumb flap of the spring-catch. Maintain pressure both on the steel tube and with the forward pressure on the thumb flap while pushing down on the back catch of the trigger with your right thumb (see Figure 2). This will trap the metal tab of the spring-catch between the top of the post and the back end of the trigger.

Ease pressure off the thumb flap and steel tube. Remove the steel tube from the spring. Always maintain a firm grip on the steel tube until removed from the spring. NEVER LEAVE THE STEEL TUBE ON A LOADED TRAP UNLESS FIRMLY GRIPPED. IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DAMAGE IF THE TRAP FIRES ACCIDENTALLY.

Remove vice grip and handle spring plate by it’s outside edges. Insert spring plate in to housing (post first) and align with tabs. Apply lid and screws.

REMOVE THE RACCOON - Dispatch raccoon, remove lid, and pull out spring plate. Clamp vise grips on spring plate, slide spring back using steel tube, and remove foot from spring plate. For live animal release, subdue by covering (bucket, burlap bag, container) while leaving the captured foot exposed and disassemble and remove trap from foot.

MAINTAIN THE TRAP - Soak the traps in water overnight a few days before you start to use them for catching raccoon. The type of nylon used in these traps is made a bit more flexible by soaking. This only needs to be done once prior to season. Inactivity during prolonged storage can cause the nylon to become stiff. After season and before storage, clean the traps with warm soapy water and rinse.

Multiple catches can cause the spring arm to ride a bit higher across the spring plate. Periodically check how the spring arm rides and adjust by using a needle nose pliers near the coiled portion of the spring. In extreme cases, remove the U-bolt and spring to make the adjustment. The spring arm should ride free across the spring plate and not drag.

The spring plate nuts and trigger tension is preset during manufacturing. If adjustments are needed, use caution not to over tighten and make the trap inoperable.

This example shows the spring plate being held by a 5" vise grip pliers. As an alternative, we offer a stainless steel plate holder and 2 in 1 setting tool to ease in setting the spring plate.

* Never insert fingers through set trap plate.

* Dry firing trap may damage trap components.

* Rough handling during extremely cold temperatures may damage trap.

* Never leave the steel setting tube on a set trap plate unless firmly gripped.

* Soak the traps in water overnight before use. The moisture makes the nylon more flexible.

* After season, the trap should be disassembled and cleaned with hot soapy water and rinsed. This removes old bait and lure that may cause corrosion to the metal parts of the trap. The Egg Trap parts are dishwasher safe. Inspect and tune the trap or replace damaged parts as necessary prior to next season. Nuisance trappers with year round use should perform maintenance as required.

* Do not store the trap in the set position between seasons.

* The spring plate nuts and trigger screw are preset during manufacturing. Multiple catches may require some maintenance to improve function. Be careful not to over tighten the U-bolt nuts, as this will slow the spring arm function. The U-bolt nuts should be snug to the bottom of the plate and there should be a little movement in the U-bolt when setting the spring arm. The trigger arm screw controls trigger pressure.

* NEVER dry fire the trap. The spring plate may be damaged in the process. ALWAYS release the spring arm with the setting tools.

* Egg Traps can be colored by soaking them in fabric dye overnight.