What about the WIRE

[Appleknocker]

We read all the time on various forums about different methods to treat our traps.  Traditional Log Wood Dye, various petroleum dips, Formula One and many more.  No one ever mentions the wire they use when they are trapping cainines or cats.  I was reading some old trapping books and they all stressed using clean wire, but never mentioned how they clean it.  They all said to never use rusty wire.  This got me to thinking about wire and how I have never seen it discussed.   Doesn't the wire we buy today  have an oil film to protect it?  We don't all use cable disposable stakes.  Should we be concerned about the wire when fastening it to a tree, drag or whatever?
What size wire do you use for fox, coyotes and cats?  Do you do anything to the wire after purchase, if so WHAT?

[OldCoon]

Some guys throw their spools of wire in the boiling pot while their doing their traps.   I don't think it's really necessary, but you wouldn't be doing wrong if you did.

It comes down to 6 of one a half dozen of another.  If it makes you feel better or gives you peace of mind then do it.

[Wackyquacker]

The only time I use wire on my line is when fastening / hanging snares.  Smells aren't quite as problematic when snaring but clean certainly won't hurt.  

For footholds, I do not use for wire.  Even #9 wire will give (work harden and break) when subjected to the repeated fights of a coyote.  The temper and composition of the steel in the wire we can bend and shape by hand compared, to that used in chain is very different, thusly wire breaks way too easy for tying off coyotes of high $ cats.  

I have seen wire used to offset and laminate jaws.  This wire is of course treated on the trap like the trap.  

To clean the normal wire any treament you would use for new traps will work. The wire will rust while you look at it!  Your hands will be for ever covered in rust when you handle the wire.  Maybe a long soak in really dilute dip would allow enough coating to get into the coils.

I have and use some galvinized wire in snaring (I happen to have a bunch, top wire from chain lonk fencing).  I boil coils in baking soda, as I do for snares, this causes the finish to oxidize (turn grey in color) and eliminates the shine.

Hope this helps :wink: