how do you open a bear trap?

Question

Just need a description (for something I'm writing) of how to do it. Do you just pry it open or is there some sort of latch or something?

Answer 1

Assuming you have what we trappers call a "long spring " trap, You have to depress the springs,and the jaws will fall open. There is no way you can pry open the jaws without depressing the springs. These springs are very strong and there is a tool used for depressing them. You can depress the spring on a smaller trap by standing on it, but not a bear trap.

Answer 2

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Use large C clamps to compress the two leaf springs, once you have them both compressed to the point the jaws will open, use two large vice grips to hold the leaf springs while you push down on both jaws until you can set the trap. Usually 2 people are needed for this, once the trap is set, one person holds the set while the other removes the vice grips and c clamps. It's best to have the trap anchored before setting it. Edit: Hey look here, I was trying to be helpful, and you go and insult me? What the hell is wrong with you. Call me a gentleman again and I'll come kick your hindparts for you.

Answer 3

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RE:

how do you open a bear trap?

Just need a description (for something I'm writing) of how to do it. Do you just pry it open or is there some sort of latch or something?

Answer 4

Is it really a bear trap, big and toothy? They are leaf spring loaded and that's a stout spring. Be careful!!

Set it down on the floor. Place one foot on the flat spring close to the trap and put your weight on it to open the jaws. Carefully set the release lever and slowly release foot pressure with hands well out of the way. It can accidentally trip and mangle a hand bad (if it's a full size trap or a smaller one, too!) BE VERY CAREFUL! THE FINGERS YOU SAVE MIGHT BE YOUR OWN!

Answer 5

Like everyone else said....



And while the springs are compressed do NOT stick your hands down into it to set the trigger plate! Lift one jaw slightly off the floor, it'll be loose with the springs compressed, and stick your hand UNDER it to set the plate! If it goes off accidentally, you'll probably p*ss yourself, it's one of the top three worst scares there are in life, but you won't lose a hand.



If you're the one standing on the springs to compress them and you don't have a partner, dangle a loop of twine down to hook the plate and lift it to set it.



If at all possible, have one person stand on either side on the springs. DON'T straddle that thing if you can avoid it! If you slip, no one sings soprano the rest of their life.

Answer 6

The large, double-jawed leaf spring traps so often satirized in the old cartoons are so strong that they require a special c-clamp type tool to compress the leaf springs to facilitate the safe setting of the trap. (I know, as I have trap AND tool both hanging on my workshop wall).

Answer 7

Is that an empty trap, or with

the bear in it ?

Answer 8

a large trap can some times be pryed open with a persons body weight, if to large a trap you have to have a special tool to open it up.

Answer 9

you need someone strong... maybe you could ask a bear?

Answer 10

with your "bear" hands!



haha