i set 160s for ghogs and i always find them set off with nothing in them. i make sure to fence them in and make it so they cant climb over the top i also make sure they dont hit anything when firing. what am i doing wrong. i adjusted some traps yesterday so i will see if i have anything today but still, is there something im missing?

Are you talking about one set or several?

Is it possible the trap(s) are self firing for some reason?

Any fur in the trap? Tracks around it?

there is usually fur and this has happened alot. with smaller animals like rabbits and baby chucks then i always catch them.

And the self firing? Are your triggers waxed?

nope not waxed and the ones that are in the unactive holes arnt set off. i leave them overnight

O.K. so they can't go over the top, but can they TRY to go over the top? They might be knocking the trap down.

Is your trigger on the outside of the trap so that the animals head is deeper in the trap before it fires? Are you triggers to the side or set in a wide "V"? If the animal has them too much in their face they might not be committing 100%.

Is the fired trap pulled tight as if something was pinched and got out?

checked the 160 today and i had the trigger not very wide but anywhere they would go they would get caught also the trap was set off and it was pulled outside the hole. im getting so mad cause a 220 would do it but i dont want to give up. they cant try and get over the trap i dig out a spot for the 160 where the ghog goes under a barn door. it wont hit anything and it has to go through the trap.

what if i made an L trigger and flipped it upside down so the feet would hit it then it would snap? how do you set your triggers? also i really appreciate the help.

I don't trap groundhogs, so I am not really the best to answer your question. All I can do is offer generalities that apply to setting body grips - which I set a lot of.

What do you mean by "it was pulled outside the hole." You are setting in a hole? You are not setting at the entrance of the hole?

If you are setting IN the hole the animal might be trying to go under the bottom trap jaws.

Given the success you are not having, I would definitely try a different trigger configuration. Doing the same thing is giving you the same result. "L" shape is usually a good shape when trying to get something bigger in a bodygrip. If the dog is on the bottom, be certain it has room to fire properly.


You're welcome for the help. I'm hoping that someone with actual groundhog trapping experience chimes in.

im 13 so im definitly no expert. i set at the front of a hole not in it and this happens to me alot with ghog sized critters and 160 and 155 sized conibears. its upsetting cause i bought 6 of them and i could use them for rats but they fit better then a 220 so i thought they would be better.