OK, this is my first year in many that I have started trapping again. When I was in high school (don't ask how long ago that was) we trapped and did fairly well. Back then any and all methods were a guarded secret. We really didn't know much about it and made stuff up, some worked, some didn't. Now I'm older and supposedly wiser, but it seems the critters are too. I've been putting out fox and 'yote sets, but all I get is uncovered pans and flipped traps. I've dyed and waxed everything except myself, I use a canvas to cover the ground and use rubber gloves which are stored in a zip lock bag. I've studied this forum and used many tips, thanks by the way. I realize I'm trapping in a rather heavily trapped area, and the critters are more than likely educated to some degree. My trap placement is approx. 4" to the right and 8" back from the hole. Could I be using the wrong lure? I pains takingly attempt to make the area look as natural as I possibly can. I know they are there, because we have seen many signs. Lots of scat, holes, partridge feathers, rabbit parts, etc. Any good tips, hints or clues as to what to do next? Please help!! ***** are going fine, however.
Not doing so well....
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OK, this is my first year in many that I have started trapping again. When I was in high school (don't ask how long ago that was) we trapped and did fairly well. Back then any and all methods were a guarded secret. We really didn't know much about it and made stuff up, some worked, some didn't. Now I'm older and supposedly wiser, but it seems the critters are too. I've been putting out fox and 'yote sets, but all I get is uncovered pans and flipped traps. I've dyed and waxed everything except myself, I use a canvas to cover the ground and use rubber gloves which are stored in a zip lock bag. I've studied this forum and used many tips, thanks by the way. I realize I'm trapping in a rather heavily trapped area, and the critters are more than likely educated to some degree. My trap placement is approx. 4" to the right and 8" back from the hole. Could I be using the wrong lure? I pains takingly attempt to make the area look as natural as I possibly can. I know they are there, because we have seen many signs. Lots of scat, holes, partridge feathers, rabbit parts, etc. Any good tips, hints or clues as to what to do next? Please help!! ***** are going fine, however.
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I'll start the process off... I suppose the most common culprit or at least the first suspected when a digger is encountered is contaminated traps. Lets say the traps are boiled, dyed, waxed and stored perfectly, thats all well and good, but what happens to the trap before it is covered with the final sifting? You are using gloves. I would look here first. Even though you are using rubber ( I use cotton) and store them in a plastic bag if the gloves get a little lure on them every trap you handle is contaminated. I don't, as a rule, wear gloves when I handle my lures and I always have a number of pairs handy. If I do get lure on a glove I put the pair in the "dirty pile" for washing and get a clean pair.
I have had experiences with diggers, which I believe are not related to contaminated traps; what then? Maybe its the soft dirt around the trap or, god forbid, I didn't get the trap bedded well. Trap bedding is VERY important and the second most likely cause of digging. Are you packing the ground well around the trap? Will your trap stand the four point wobble test? I stopped using pan covers and have had tremendous luck with a night latched trigger, 3 too 4 pounds pan tension (coyotes and cats) and a plug of fiber glass insulation under the pan to prevent sand sifting. By doing away with the cover I can really bed my traps by compressing dirt on both sidea of the jaws.
Doing everything I've mentioned I still get an occasional digger. My favorite trick is to remake the set and "sneak in" a second trap right where the digger stood to uncover my trap. Nothing like a coyote with a trap on both front feet. Oh yeh, if you try this make certian that the two traps are stacked such that the chains can't get wrapped around each other there by elliminating the swivels.
Hope this helps some.
I have had experiences with diggers, which I believe are not related to contaminated traps; what then? Maybe its the soft dirt around the trap or, god forbid, I didn't get the trap bedded well. Trap bedding is VERY important and the second most likely cause of digging. Are you packing the ground well around the trap? Will your trap stand the four point wobble test? I stopped using pan covers and have had tremendous luck with a night latched trigger, 3 too 4 pounds pan tension (coyotes and cats) and a plug of fiber glass insulation under the pan to prevent sand sifting. By doing away with the cover I can really bed my traps by compressing dirt on both sidea of the jaws.
Doing everything I've mentioned I still get an occasional digger. My favorite trick is to remake the set and "sneak in" a second trap right where the digger stood to uncover my trap. Nothing like a coyote with a trap on both front feet. Oh yeh, if you try this make certian that the two traps are stacked such that the chains can't get wrapped around each other there by elliminating the swivels.
Hope this helps some.
WQ gave some good advice. I would like to add one other major point that can cause diggers and messing with traps- color. If the color of dirt in your pattern is different, coyotes will react to it. This color change can also be caused by using dry dirt in wet surroundings or wet dirt (using antifreeze) in dry surroundings. This color line can act like a brick wall to a yote(he will not cross it) or can cause suspious behavior or simply curiosity that leads to digging. Also make certain the texture of your trap bed covering is the smae throughout your pattern. Too smooth a surface on one or the other can also cause canines to be mischevious....t'man
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Wackyquacker and trappnman covered this thing pretty extensively. Only one more thing comes to mind, do you spray urine on your trap bed like so many advocate? I don't believe in placing any odor anyplace but behind the bedded trap so the animal has to pass over the trap for further investigation. I don't want the canines doing any excess sniffing any place but where they are supposed to. Urines generally have food particles in them and could cause digging in the trap bed.
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