Just to wrap this thread up.
Marty at the Canadian Coyote Company returned my call and he schooled me.
The Victor #1 long spring foothold "stop less" is still being produced.
However for my application, it is not for me.
The "stop less" feature is designed to keep the jaws closed once an animal is caught not as a secondary dispatching mechanism, as I initially thought.
Marty suggested a couple of other alternatives with one being the Wolf Creek Weasel trap....It is a rat trap looking trap on steroids; very powerful.
It is used to secure a weasel, I am sure a common gopher is not as weasel resilient and it will work. Add a simple securing modification to ensure it is not lost or carried away.
As well, Marty had some successful baiting ideas.
Thanks again Marty and others in the thread, who chimed in.
https://canadiancoyotecompany.com/pr...44346821247189