Gate sets for k-9's

[Tim B]

When you set a open gate with a dirthole or a flat set.  How far do you usually set from the actual gate post?  Im talking a field road road where you know critters are traveling?
Thanks
TimB

[Wackyquacker]

I set at a number of  fence posts, corners, old gates, old runs etc.  The gate posts and corners are always much larger than line posts and stick out.  To your question, it really depends how the stock is moving near / pastthe posts.  I set these locations on the best side for the wind and travel routes.  When in the correct configuration I have used the post as my backing and / or lure holder (or Post as in post set).  Many times the stock trails follow the fence to the gate / corner and I set to cover the intersection with the road. I have a favorite location at such a post that I set 8 or 10 feet from the post on the north west side of the cow trail...bingos every year often with a cat.

One thing to be thinking of in these types of locations, especially if there is still barbed wire on the posts, is the increased leverage etc that a caught animal could gain from the posts, wrapping around the posts , or getting over the wire.   Instead of driving your stake under the trap in the bed, consider stretching the chain away from the post when anchoring.  Real short chains and strong traps are probably a good approach for sets made close.  But watch the wire!  If a critter gets over the fence and starts sliding back and forth the barbs will amputate the foot fast!  and yes I know this from first hand experience and yes the coyote was a calve killer and yes I had a bitch of a time "trying" to re catch him...in fact still haven't but as with a lot of injured yotes it seems to have left my range.

Drags are a good choice if you have the cover to hold one never the set.

[RdFx]

Yep WC has good info for sets in proximity of fence gates ect.  I pick up alot of canines and some cats at said locations.  Like WC said it depends if livestock is in area yr setting traps that will determine how you set it up.  Alot of times i will go 50 to 100 yards  away on trails coming to gate and make blind sets for the  canines that are wise and avoid   regular sets.  The blind sets you will pick up the young uneducated also.  Using a heavy drag if there isnt cover so animal will move     from set but not in next county is a help to keep yr pet blind set   resettable.

[trappnman]

On open gated field roads- I like to set a pair of traps. I usually set them on the same side of the gate- one on each side of the road. Circumstances dictate which side of the gate. I like to set back about 20 feet from the fence and the road.   I usually put a flat set on one side and a stepdown on the other.

[jim-NE]

had a thought on this scenario, too, and was curious what others think. I routinely catch canines at one gate location, and have done so at this same location for years now. its a great funnel place and everything seems to walk through that opening rather than follow the fencerows down for next available duck under point. its one of my favorite locations for canines.
its also one of my family members routine pit stops when he is out and about throughout rest of the year, including during bird season which overlaps trapping season greatly. have the canines over the years (including all the new ones I catch each season) grown accustomed to his particular human pee on either post (each are only about 12') apart? first time I watched him relieve himself while we were bird hunting through that field, I was upset to myself but didn't say anything. would be setting traps there within a week so was very concerned about this additional "lure" at my favorite spot. without coming across as ticked off or rude, I just asked him if this is a regular pit stop location for him. he looked at me as to why I would as such a stupid question...so I explained and showed him the old catch circles still present from last seasons. He stared at the ground awhile, and said you know...that is interesting, and yes, I stop here quite often. I check fences, I drive through here and stop on my way to next area, etc.
thoughts, anyone???
My only thought was that even though this place stinks to high heaven of human pee...it is a natural funnel point in the area, and his pee scent never really hurt anything walking through there (no reason to associate the scent with danger...the scent itself didn't hurt any animal no matter how offensive it may be to them).
again, it does seem to rub against all the traditional no no's around your sets though???
Jim-NE

[jim-NE]

also, another reason I am curious on everyone's thoughts about this...I can't help but wonder if this same scenario is played out elsewhere. May not be as "often" as a pit stop, but you can't tell me that if a rancher or farmer has to stop and open a gate that while he or she is out of the truck that this is a potential pit stop location as well.
know what I mean???
If that is the case, then why doesn't it seem to be such an issue at gate locations vs. other set locations in the same section of land. Do animals grow to learn to expect such scents at certain locations and as long as the scent didn't harm them directly then no cause for alarm???
Jim-NE

[RdFx]

Jim i know what you are talking about and to prove a pt i will mention what i did once.    I had problems with a yote in  farmland country and  couldnt put the cuffs on him.  The reason i knew it was a certain yote is that he was missing his outer right toe on left front foot.  He didnt dig  at any sets but i saw his distinctive track at dirt holes and scent posts.   I had a gate that was a open the gate and close it thing and i  would relieve my self on a  burnt stump near gate approximately 25 feet away and was a sandy area.  Come one day  doing the thing i saw the distinctive yote track next to my favorite stump!!!  :shock:   Whoaa.  Whats going on here??   Well i placed a nbr two monty round jaw offset and  three days later guess who was stitting there with a  (come on over here i want a piece of you!)   Yep ol three toes himself.  THe fellar was an old male and  missing toe foot was healed nicely so couldnt say when he lost his toe.  THis  is a isolated incident so dont go bottling yr human urine and selling  on ebay   .  I think this shows a trappers should always be observing and  keep tuned to what is going on around him and he can pick up suttle  things that will help him on his trap line like noticing three toes track by my favorite rest stop on my canine line.

[jim-NE]

Rdfx:
interesting experience. going back through trap notes tonight noticed that none of my dirtholes or other bait sets did nearly as well as my post sets and flat sets with gland lure only. its almost like this little narrow passageway through the gate is a natural territorial marking station instead of hunting grounds...even for mr. landowner, I guess.
interesting too on how once and awhile you get a yote that is old, male, and behaves much differently than all his counterparts. Most are crouched low when I approach them at a catch circle to dispatch them. These rogue, wolfy-looking males are different though. Some are on my end of the chain and wanting a piece of me, too.

[Wackyquacker]

Jim, watch yourself!  Ole Rdfx is really really OLD and he forgets things like which stump etc. etc. :-D

[RdFx]

At least i can hit the stump and not dribble on my boots like some one fm
Corrales, NM does :shock:  :eek:  :oops:   .  Besides that point  in my favor how long till you set steel and bracelets WC??

[Wackyquacker]

Just to point out once again...Ole RdFx must bin pretty close up in Bloomington to  know that I in fact dribble!  :eek:  I said it before and I'll say it again I WAS STOOD UP AT THE NTA BY RdFx!

Say RdFx who's this WC guy you keep talkin to?  He kinda like Harvey the Rabbit or what? :roll:

[RdFx]

You admit to seeing Harvey do you.  Well now i know why they keep you in Corrales :wink: .   Too bad you never met Clyde the camel that  Yancy used to have to carry cage traps in CA!!

[RdFx]

Heard anything of Yancy?  I heard he was in the hospital and he doesnt answer my emails either.   I know my pickled egg recipe has kick but i didnt think that would do that t poor ol Yancy??