Trap Staking Systems
Super Stake with #2 Chain
There are a lot of different staking systems that are available on the market to choose from. Rebar stakes are probably the most populate option for water trappers and will be discussed in depth in the water trapping section of this book. For land trapping I prefer to use earth anchors as they take up less space and are easier to use. There are a few different brands of anchor ends. I like the Original Super Stake ends for canine traps as they are virtually indestructible. On my raccoon traps I run Wolf Fang ends. Wolf Fangs aren’t as durable as Super Stakes, but they have a larger surface area which is important when setting in ground that is wet or soft.
You can either run cable or chain on your earth anchors. Cable is the cheaper option but does not last as long as chain. If you want to go the cable route, 3/32” 7x7 cable is a popular choice for making them. Although more costly, chain with last longer and I recommend quality #2 straight link chain and a welded 3/16” S hook. The length of chain or cable is dependent on soil conditions, but most trappers are running between fourteen and eighteen inches. The stake is attached to your trap with a j hook on the terminal swivel of the trap.
One other thing to mention when comparing anchors made from chain verses cable is when it comes to resetting the trap after a catch. The caught animal will lunge against the staking which cause it to pull up a bit out of the trap bed. When you go to reset the trap in the old trap bed, the cable will stick up a bit making it more difficult to bed the trap. The chain will just lay flat in the bottom of the bed causing no issues whatsoever.
Wolf Fang with 15" of 3/32nd 7x7 Cable
Whatever end or system you choose, try to keep them all similar so you’re not having to worry about which driver or stake to grab. Keeping everything uniform makes it easier to bring extra drivers and replacement parts along. There is nothing worse than being on the trapline and breaking or losing a driver without having a spare along.
Drags are another option on the trapline if your terrain is suitable for them. It’s better to invest in a good quality constructed drag than cut corners with the cheaper options. The length of chain is a personal preference, but ten feet of quality #3 chain is a good place to start with. Drags can be extremely helpful if you are dealing with rocky terrain that makes traditional staking methods hard or impossible.
A full selection of drags, stakes, and earth anchors can be found here.
Staking a coyote trap connected to a chained Super Stake.