Product Instructions and Frequently Asked Questions

To use as a Stabilizer:

1. Attach Bracket to trap chain using a J-Hook (not included)
2. Mount HAGz® Bracket to 'object'
   1. For Adjustable Depth with 3/8" Rods: 
      1. Slide 3/8" rod through 3/8" Rod Hole in bracket until you reach desired depth
      2. Release bracket, gravity and the offset will cause the bracket to lock in place. 
      3. Raise/lower as desired.
   2. For Adjustable Depth with a Stick/Bamboo/etc:
   3. Cut a length of trappers wire long enough to reach around your object and through the bracket.
   4. Run wire through each slot on the 'top side' of the HAGz® Bracket.
   5. With the 'drowner lock' side of HAGz® Bracket against the object, wire around the object snug enough that the HAGz® Bracket doesn't free slide down when let go.
   6. Raise/lower as desired.
   7. Insert Trap into appropriate slot on the face of the HAGz® Bracket. The weight of the trap will hold the bracket in position - You may need to tighten/loosen the wire.
   8. For Fixed Position: 
      1. Attach bracket to object at desired height with wire, screws, nails, etc.
      2. If mounting horizontally, orient the bracket so the appropriate slot is to the top to give the most jaw clearance.  
3. Stabilizing a Trap
   1. Set Trap and Insert the Traps Frame End into the appropriate slot.
   2. When a catch is made, trap falls free of bracket.

Tip: For best results, insert the Frame End just deep enough that its held in place when released (roughly 1/16" or to where it just breaks the brackets plane), so it will fall free with a catch.

To use as a Stake Swivel:

1. Attach Bracket to trap chain using a J-Hook (not included)
2. Insert up to 1/2" rebar/ t-bar through large center hole
3. When a catch is  made, the HAGz® Bracket will swivel around the rebar stake

To use as a Slide/Drowner Lock:

1. Attach Bracket to trap chain using a J-Hook (not included)
2. Run wire/cable through small hole on "USA" side of HAGz® Bracket. (USA stamp should be towards set)
3. When a catch is made, the HAGz® Bracket will slide down the wire/cable and the 'locking action' will prevent it from coming back up the cable.

• While most traps will fit the brackets out of the box, there are some traps that require slight adjustments.
• If the Frame End doesn't fit or is a bit snug, simply hit it a few times with a file.
• If the trap doesn't sit level or is at an undesired angle, simply bend the Frame End of the trap up/down to bring the trap to a level position. Similar to leveling a trap pan.

Trap Frame Ends less than .129 thickness and .75 width fit without any filling, which is most 1.5 and smaller coil, jump & long spring traps. Larger traps can still work but some minor filing may be required.

Q:  Will the HAGz® Bracket LOCK onto a 1/2" rod?

A: No, the larger hole is not intended to LOCK onto a 1/2” rod. The larger hole is intended to act as a stake swivel for when you use a trap in a scenario that may require a rebar stake, such as pocket or blind sets. The only hole designed to lock onto a smooth rod is the hole for 3/8” rods. That said, the larger hole could be reduced in size in order to lock onto a 1/2” rod. One option trappers have done is to weld a 1/2" washer over the large hole.  

Q:  How else are the HAGz® Brackets being used?

A:  Trappers are very creative, we have heard many ways that trappers are adapting the HAGz® Bracket from welding it onto rods, bolting or welding to steel culverts, using it with strong magnets, using it on floats, stool sets for Marten, fastening it to canyon walls for Bobcats, mounting it in trees to combat feral cat problems in Australia.  We would love to hear your unique way of using the HAGz® Bracket!  

Q:  What size Foot Hold Traps does the HAGz® Bracket work on? 

A:  We advertise that The HAGz® Bracket will fit most 1.5 and smaller.  While the HAGz® Bracket was designed for #1.5's and smaller, they will in fact fit some larger size traps as well, as long as they have a frame thickness thinner than .129 otherwise some slight filing may be required. Trap frame ends start varying widely on traps larger than a 1.5, thus we stake our advertising claim to where the greatest standard is.

The bracket with the "HAGz" and "Patented" stamp fits the following brand 1.5's and smaller: Duke, Bridger, Victor, *KO, Wolf Creek, *Sleepy Creek, Newhouse and Blake & Lamb

*Tight Tolerance - very slight filing may be required if trap and/ or bracket is on an outer edge of their allowable tolerance.

Q:  Will the HAGz® Bracket work on Long Springs and Coil Springs? 

A:  Yes.     

Q:  Will the 3/8 hole fit over rebar as well? 

A:  The hole designed for 3/8" rods is only a few thousandths larger than 3/8", if your rebar is .375 or smaller, it will fit in that hole.  More over, there is a large center hole that is designed to be used as a stake swivel for rebar. ​

1. Installing Clip:
   1. Using a wide, flat head screwdriver, open one of the rungs in the spring by 'wedging' it in and 'turning' it - (the wider the screwdriver the better) 
   2. Insert the Clips flat side between the spring coils - Inserting from the center of the spring eye and through the spring coil
   3. Remove the screw driver  
   4. Open the next spring rung 
   5. Using pliers, get a bite on the back of the clip and the outer edge of the spring and squeeze the clip through the spring
2. Stabilizing Trap
   1. To use as an Adjustable Set: 
      1. Set Body Grip Trap
      2. Slide the hole in the HAGz® Spring Clip over a 3/8" rod
      3. Release to allow the HAGz® Spring Clip to lock on the rod when at the desired height
   2. Optionally: For extreme versatility or to use so it falls-away - (Requires HAGz® Bracket)
      1. Mount HAGz® Bracket to virtually any object (stick, log, rock, bridge wall, etc)
      2. Set Body Grip Trap
      3. Insert the HAGz® Spring Clip into either of the large slots in the HAGz® Bracket
      4. Wire/ Cable off trap as desired as it will release from the HAGz® Bracket when a catch is made
3. Orient Trigger Wires: (up, down, left or right)
   1. Rotate the trap to orient triggers wires as desired
   2. Flipping the HAGz® Spring Clip over on the rod allows for 2 other trigger positions

TIP: *Installing clips in the same orientation, same spring side, etc makes it easier to understand trigger orientation based on how you run the clip on the rod

Q: Will it fall out?

A: No, it's designed to stay in once inserted - See how to properly install clip (above)

Q: Can I still use Lathe or H stands?

A: Yes, you can use all your existing methods! The HAGz® Spring Clip provides you with MORE options, it doesn't limit you!

Q:  What size Body Grip Traps does the HAGz® Spring Clip work on? 

A:  It's designed for 160's and smaller.  

Q:  Can the HAGz® Spring Clips be used with 220's and 330's? 

A:  No, you will need the HAGz® Spring Clip XL for 220's and 330's

1. Installing Clip:
   1. Using a wide, flat head screwdriver, open one of the rungs in the spring by 'wedging' it in and 'turning' it - (the wider the screwdriver the better) 
   2. Insert the Clips flat side between the spring coils - Inserting from the center of the spring eye and through the spring coil
   3. Remove the screw driver  
   4. Open the next spring rung 
   5. Using pliers, get a bite on the back of the clip and the outer edge of the spring and squeeze the clip through the spring
2. To use as an Adjustable Set: 
   1. Set Body Grip Trap
   2. Engage Trap Safeties
   3. Fold Spring Arms Parallel to Trap Jaws
   4. Slide Bottom Spring Eye over 1/2" smooth rod or rebar.
   5. While lowering, Slide the hole of the HAGz® Spring Clip XL over the 1/2" smooth rod/rebar.
   6. When desired height is reached, spread the spring arms apart to lock at the desired location
3. Optionally: For extreme versatility or to use so it falls-away - (Requires HAGz® Bracket)
   1. Mount HAGz® Bracket to virtually any object (stick, log, rock, bridge wall, etc)
   2. Set Body Grip Trap
   3. Engage Safeties
   4. Insert the HAGz® Spring Clip XL into either of the large slots in the HAGz® Bracket
   5. Wire/ Cable off trap as desired as it will release from the HAGz® Bracket when a catch is made
4. Rotate Trap/Orient Trigger Wires as desired
5. Remove Safeties
6. Insert Rod/Trap into secure position

TIP: *Installing clips in the same orientation, same spring side, etc makes it easier to understand trigger orientation based on how you run the clip on the rod

Q: Will it fall out?

A: No, it's designed to stay in once inserted - See the HAGz® Spring Clip - Installation Demo (above)

Q: Can I still use Sticks, Logs or H stands?

A: Yes, you can use all your existing methods! The HAGz® Spring Clip XL provides you with MORE options, it doesn't limit you!

Q:  What size Body Grip Traps does the HAGz® Spring Clip XL work on? 

A:  It's designed for 220s-330's

Q:  Can the HAGz® Spring Clip XL's be used with 160's or smaller on 1/2" rods? 

A:  No, you will need the HAGz® Spring Clip for 160's and smaller to fit properly

FAQ on #2 Machine Chain:

Q. Will any #2 machine chain work with the HAGz® Universal Locks? 

A. NO - You will find differences with cheap (Chinese primarily) chain being too big to fit through the lock smoothly. This is commonly due to cheap chain having a sloppy assembly method for closing the links. 

Q. Is #2 and 2/0 the same thing? NO, that’s two entirely different sizes.

Q. Where’s the best place to get chain? 

A. In our opinion, trapping supply companies. Trapping supplies are generally much cheaper than big box or hardware stores... plus why not support our fellow trappers ?🙂

We have found that MB #2 chain from MTP or #2 USA Select/Quality chain from FNT to work perfectly.

https://www.minntrapprod.com/MB-2-HD-Straight-L…/…/MB2CH-01/

https://www.fntpost.com/…/+2+Straight+Link+Select+Quality+C…

NOTE: Our HAGz Universal Locks are manufactured with very little excess room between the lock and chain, so using the appropriate chain is crucial. Our locks are manufactured in this manner so they lock just as aggressive and positive on #2 chain as they do fiberglass or rebar.

Q:  Do you offer a Military discount?

A:  OF COURSE! Contact us and we'll get you a discount code!  

Q:  Do you have a magazine or catalog?

A:  We do not have a printed catalog at this time, we do have our online catalog that you can access directly at https://shop.j3o.com/   

Q: Do you carry the fiberglass rods?

A: Yes we do! Visit https://shop.j3o.com