Full line of Products and Materials, Options, Custom

We are currently putting bobcat traps together for several trappers to be used this fall, the powered ring door type.  After purchasing a large quantity of 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" heavy gage wire, we are making bobcat cages with openings of 10.5x21, 12x19.5 and a bunch of 12x24, larger than what most make in standard runs.  With that said, we can produce traps of custom sizes like 9x18 or something odd like 16.5x21.  Traps can be made in 1-1/2" increments in both width and height in almost any combination or 1 inch increments if the smaller mesh wire is desired.

I am always interested in materials, stepping away from the norm to build traps others never thought of, like using the 1/2x1, 12 gage wire for instance for many of larger, frameless, swing panel traps.  We have used 2x2 heavy gage wire for both beaver and bobcat traps as well as 1-1/2x1-1/2, finding that work interchangeably.  For a time we were able to acquire some 10 gage 2x2.  Of course we also carry 1x1 mesh in both 14 and 12 gage.  We even have some interesting 3x3, 11gage we have used for beaver traps too.

For custom work, if there is something special required in wire mesh or diameter,  if someone makes it, we can probably get it.  When ordering custom, just buffer the purchase with plenty of time as we are a one man show for the smaller orders and still have the ADC business along with the retail online cage traps.

Besides offering more options in size, configuration and material than other trap makers, we hope to add a chimney trap from manufacture in spring, another option in beaver / otter trapping not offered elsewhere and an improvement to recessed door, flush mount traps to make setting a snap.  As for variety, we have traps in 18, 24, 30 and 36 inch lengths, double door traps and three different single door traps.  They come with solid backs, a bait door or rear release slider door, not only in heavy 14 gage 1/2x1 mesh but also in extra duty 12 gage, options you will find nowhere else.

A lot of trappers still don't know about the inexpensive double door traps we have for squirrels, chipmunks etc. in three sizes, again panless, including the narrow gutter trap.  Additionally, we are working on a host of projects to make life easier and better in our own business and of course all ADC trappers.

Woodchucks in Comstock Swing Panel Live Cage Traps

 Woodchuck in a 7 x 7 x 36 Comstock Swing Panel Double Door Cage

Woodchuck in a 6 x 6 x 26 Comstock Swing Panel Double Door Cage

As is turns out, both by accident and on purpose guys have been catching groundhogs in a variety of the swing panel traps.  Lou, a couple of years ago, caught 10 rabbits, a 'possum and two chucks in an 8x10x36 Comstock Swing Panel Cage Trap.  He had set for rabbits raising hell with the garden and ended up with two incidental 'chucks also.   

Nate set a 6x6x26 squirrel trap for a 'chuck under a shed because that's was what he had.  It worked!  Mark has purposely been using the 7x7x36 Swing Panel Traps for 'chucks and just connected with his first, a nice one.

What this shows is a couple of things.  Groundhogs are tough on traps and though they put a lot of pressure on doors, the 12 gage 1/2 x 1 wire holds up fine, while the 'chucks are not sharp enough to figure out how to lift the door.  We routinely use the 6x8x30 to take the small ones without issue, but it looks like there are more opportunities in swing panel traps for those "bold" enough to try something new for the larger groundhogs in a light weight, solid inexpensive alternative.     

Woodchucks, You Tube Videos (miss the mark)

Quite by accident I ran across 2 videos put out by Universities on Woodchucks, designed to "help" those who have not trapped chucks before.  Each missed the mark by a city block by using baits, even pre-baiting, while the last actually said, "bait the trap, but don't set it right up tight to the den as you don't want to force them into the trap."  Not only did they miss the point, they actually promote the exact opposite of what is optimum.  I guess its one thing not to know what you are doing, but quite another to explain it to the whole world.  Yes, bait will catch a chuck, but den setting is infinitely better.  It's just too bad that so many see these videos and are led down the wrong path.  Again, forget the bait, set the den with a double door trap and nosecone.

Convention--Bobcat Cages

We got back from the convention in Herkimer Saturday night.  It was a good show for us as we sold just about everything we brought and took orders for others.

Trappers are showing more interest in the unique Comstock bobcat / fox cage traps.  We are making bobcat traps to order in our shop in New York, both single and double door in a an angled powered ring door trap with wire trigger that we can build to order in just about any size desired.  They can be made from 9 to 15 inches wide and from 18 to 24 high in any combination.  These are popular dimensions, but we can make them in almost any size within reason, larger or smaller.

We also have a bi-fold door bobcat cage trap that allows for flush mounting and also can be easily covered from rain, ice and snow, freezing and thawing, which is the enemy of any trapping.  Unlike guillotine door traps, the bi-fold is the only trap that lends itself to being covered completely and easily to keep it out of rough weather.  Warm or cold weather with dry conditions like the west are easy to deal with, but regular precipitation of both rain and snow in the north and east, coupled with temperature changes that go above and below freezing almost daily is a real challenge.  Covering a cage will solve most of the issues.   Difficult to make, we will simplify the bi-fold door system as time permits.  

Tripple on 'Coon in a Comstock 12x18x39 Beaver Cage Trap

After using the large swim through Comstock beaver cage trap to catch beaver, Jay from Colorado found another use for the double door trap, 'coon this time.  Jay has taken a number of 'coon in this trap, singles, doubles and even this triple, a first in the beaver trap.

Surprise "Chuck" in a Comstock 6x6x26 Squirrel Cage Trap

As has so often been the case, users of Comstock Cage Traps have been pleasantly surprised to find  that these cage traps will often work in different ways and for animals the traps were never intended to capture.  The trap pictured is a 6x626 panless, swing panel Comstock squirrel cage trap, but the creature confined is a medium sized groundhog.  Owning both large and small Comstock traps for beaver and squirrels, Nate Brock did not have a trap that was designed specifically for woodchucks.  So, Nate just pushed the double door flush mount squirrel trap up against the den opening and gave it a shot.  As you can see, the trap did the job quite well, a first as far as we know of catching a larger woodchuck intentionally in such a small trap.

When we are trapping young groundhogs we often use smaller traps, both 6x8 and 6x6 swing panel traps for the small, baby woodchucks early in the season after taking mom in a larger 9x11x18 Comstock Cage.

Presently there are two ADC trappers about to try both 7x7x36 and 8x10x36 Comstock swing panel traps for chucks.  One local gardener a couple of years ago got some of the 8x10's for rabbits.  He managed to take 10 rabbits, a 'possum and 2 chucks at the time, one medium and one small.  With 12 gage 1/2x1 wire mesh, the durable traps should hold up fine, while it appears that chucks might not be able to figure out how to raise the doors after all.

We're always ready to learn and share.  The beauty in this trap is that it is less than half the price of the other traps.