Author Topic: extreme cold dirt trapping (Read 554 times)

jim-NE · « **on:** January 31, 2003, 04:28:51 AM »

I've tried every method myself. If there is moisture in the air and temps are cold enough, sometimes a top crusting or frosting is inevitable.
Buckwheat Hulls work well, but even they will crust over after few nights. So will all forms of dried dirt (salted, calcium added, waxed, etc.) I have had pretty good luck with coal ash, but it too needs some maintainance work after a couple of nights in this region of Nebraska.
I just make a point to check things over daily. I use a small, sharp stick and poke into a spot in the bed away from the pan. If I can push the stick through easily, then 9 times out of 10 the trap may still fire that night. If I get resistance immediately from a frost crusting, then I will pop the trap and rebed in dry material, and then I am good to go for another night or two, or until moisture is present in the air again.
Freeze-Thaw conditions (warmer by day, cold by night) are tough to keep things functioning in. So are the extreme cold conditions. I deal with freeze thaw by placing my sets in the shade so that they never get a chance to thaw out. As for the extreme cold with moisture in the air, just be diligent with the set maintenance and have plenty of dry or moisture-proof material on hand for remakes.

jim-NE · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2003, 04:30:49 AM »

Sorry...meant this to be a reply to the "BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR" posting...
Jim

Snareman · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2003, 07:10:42 PM »

You make a very valid point with your tips on the maintenance. As an athlete I had to learn that I may not perform at top level when compared to my best. It would be illogical to think my performance would be the same under much different conditions. Your explanation of remaking the sets may sound a bit much for many, but that is what it takes to get the job done. I know many around here give up after snow flies. The maintenance to keep the traps working is apparently too much work for some. Trapping and snaring to be successful takes a lot of work. In fact the most successful trappers I know impart more work than the rest are willing to expend. That is what makes them successful.

Good post.
-snareguy

jim-NE · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2003, 08:56:22 AM »

thanks for the supportive comments. I often wonder if its worth the extra effort, but then I catch something once and awhile, have a good time, and am still at when majority of others around here hang it up 'till next year.
I still use a lot of dry dirt myself, too.
Its easiest to obtain, and free. I put it up in 1-gallon clean milk jugs, then I stash these in weedy fencerows, brush piles, etc. where ever I think I might want to put in a couple of sets after the cold sets in for good. Real handy to have close by when making sets, remakes too. It gets damp and freezes quickly, but it is free and that is huge with me.
I know it is heavy, too. But I also figure if it takes a notch or two off of my belt line then I benefit from the additional huffing and puffing lugging the jugs out to the locations.
talk with you later!
Jim-NE