I am able to get away with smaller traps for coyotes here in Nebraska because our coyotes just are not that big. I think other regions must see the "super" critters, but it is a rare day when I catch a coyote here that is over 25 lbs wet. I had to find something that was also easy on coons and fox, as well as coyote, since any one of them could end up in my dryland predator sets here. With coon prices up nicely, and fox a real plus this year, still had to be able to pinch a coyote if one worked my set. I've held several coyotes well in even little #11 longsprings, and our coyote's feet aren't that big at all. I won't set anything larger now than a #2 longspring, which is actually even less jawspread than a #2 coilspring...more comparable to the #1.75s or the #1.65 coils, in fact. Any of these seem to still get a very decent pad catch on coyotes but not too high up on coon or fox feet, for my liking.
I had some of the older BMI K-9s and I really liked the smooth edges of their jaws, slight gap when closed, and the button on the end of the dog that acted as a nice night-latch or secondary setting position. I held everything in them except front foot caught coons...and with our good male coons pushing $20.00 this year I had to let the k-9s go and opt for a tighter jaw closing model.
