WCS Tube Trap - Rust Resistant

PRODUCT INSTRUCTIONS:

This trap can be used in either a baited or un-baited manner, as the trap itself is an attractant, squirrels want to either run through it or hide in it. When a capture is made, the squirrel is generally hidden from the public view.

CAUTION: This is a lethal trap, use special care when and where setting. Use the SAFETY hook when positioning the trap, and take it off only when the trap is in the target capture location.

DIRECTIONS:

Select appropriate location to position trap by monitoring squirrel travel ways.

Familiarize yourself with the Trap’s Parts:

1. Trigger (Dog) - floppy L-shaped piece attached to the bracket.
2. Pan back - the cap piece screwed to the bracket attached to the Pan
3. Bracket - the piece soldered to the bottom of the tube. The rod with coils springs, the pan and trigger are all attached to the bracket.
4. Tube - round steel body of the trap
5. Coil springs - springs attached to the strike bar mechanism
6. Strike Bar - metal bar inserted into trap that looks like a handle
7. Pan - located inside tube where animal sets off trap.
8. Safety - a hook next to the trigger that can hold the strike bar in place while the trap is set.

CAUTION: If using bait, apply inside trap on tube wall above pan BEFORE setting the trap, or make sure the SAFETY is latched over the strike bar while applying the bait when in the set position.

SETTING DIRECTIONS:

To set the trap, position the trap in front of you with the Strike Bar and the Coil Springs next to your body. The Trigger and Pan Back should be jutting out on the other side of the tube away from your body. Flip the Trigger and the Safety so they are both pointing up toward the ceiling. Press down the Strike Bar, with the palms of your hands, so that it touches the Bracket. While holding down the Strike Bar, take a finger and flip the Trigger over the Strike Bar then flip the Pan Back so it slips over the Trigger end. The Strike Bar applies tension on the trigger and pan back. Now you are able to flip the Safety over the Strike Bar to make transporting the trap easier and safer. DO NOT STICK FINGERS INSIDE. The TRAP IS NOW SET…. use caution when positioning. DO NOT dry fire trap as this may cause damage to the strike bar and tube.

PAN ADJUSTMENT:

You can adjust the pan sensitivity by adjusting the location of the trigger (dog) in the Pan Back. Push up the Pan Back to make the pan less sensitive. Position the very end of trigger into the back of the pan to make it more sensitive. This also lowers the pan inside the trap.

BAITING:

There are two preferred ways of using the Tube Trap in a baited fashion:

First, using your favorite paste type bait smear some directly onto the triggering pan of the Tube trap. For added appeal, press some bird seed of sunflower seeds into the paste bait. Then take a 1/4 in. piece of hardware cloth or screening and lay it on top of the triggering pan containing the bait and wrap the edges around the pan. The easiest way to do this is to grip it with your hand. This makes it harder for the squirrel to access the bait, and they have to work at it.

The second baiting method involves smearing your favorite paste bait directly above the pan. To do this, turn the trap completely over, BEFORE SETTING IT, and smear the paste directly over the pan area. Then turn the trap back over and set it according to proper instructions. Again, this makes the squirrel work for the bait as they will be focused on the bait, not on the triggering pan.

TUBE TRAP ADJUSTMENTS:

After use of your tube trap if you are having trouble setting, listed below are the most common fixes and how to adjust your pan tension.

Tools you’ll need: Flat and Phillips Head Screwdrivers, Pliers, Channel Lock Pliers

1. Problem: Trap cannot be set
   • Look through your tube trap in the unset position and see if your strike bar has a slight bend to it. This happens with misfires and after multiple catches. If there is no bend, proceed to step 3, otherwise follow along:
   • To fix a bend, put a broom handle or similar size bar through the trap on the dog and safety side, between the strike bar and inside of the tube trap. Lightly push the top of the strike bar toward the broom handle you have inserted into the tube trap, pushing lightly until the strike bar has been straightened.
2. The pan needs adjustment to be less sensitive
   • To make your Tube Trap less sensitive so it doesn’t keep misfiring you will need the Channel Lock Pliers. Put the Channel Lock Pliers’ jaws on top of the pan at the open end where the dog goes in and the bottom of the bar where the dog and safety are. Slightly close the end of the pan, if you go too far closing the end of the pan, see step 3.
3. The pan needs adjustment to be more sensitive, or trap cannot be set.
   • Place a flathead screwdriver inside the pan at the open end where the dog goes into it. With the screwdriver inside the pan and on top of the trap bracket, lift upwards to slightly bend the center of the open end of the pan.
4. After adjustments you may have to loosen the nut and bolt to the pan to make sure the pan moves easily and isn’t tight.