frosen traps

[jutah]

i trap i utah where i live temps are 5 to 25 this winter I'm tr aping i useing wax paper under my traps briger #3 coils then wax paper over the top with buckwheat hulls im still froze up any ideas would be welcomed thanks

[Bogmaster]

  Freezing weather can be a hard one on foothold trappers.
 You can use dry dirt-- many trappers collect and dry dirt in the summer.You bed your traps in it and also use it to cover your traps.
 Bedding your trap in peat moss is also another way--just make sure the bed for your trap is almost exactly the size of your trap.
 Others mix calcium chloride or a mixture of propylene Glycol and water,with their dirt as anti freeze measures.
 Another alternative --switch to snares during this type of weather.
 Good luck!
 Tom

[jutah]

thanks tom i will try some of that the dry dirt i don't think will work we get snow every other day it seems even at mid 20s it melts enough to wet the dirt the snaring i have tryed I'm no good at it

[RdFx]

jutah, contact your state trapping association and see if they can find  a trapper that is in your area to mentor you on snaring. OR you can buy how to books  or videos on snareing.... Good Luck.

[jutah]

RdFx thanks for your reply i need to find someone to show me the ropes it might be the only way to keep going in this weather

[coyotero]

I've used calcium chloride,peat moss and glycerin,coal shale and waxed dirt.Waxed dirt wins hands done.It keeps traps working in the nastiest of weather.It is a pain to make and it is more expensive than other methods but it works.I have had traps work at -40 degrees with waxed dirt.I have seen coyotes caught in a literal sea of mud with freezing temperatures at night.the waxed dirt kept things working.Leg hold traps that work in nasty weather are of more value to me than snares in some situations.I figure it takes about 3 to 4 snares to equal my catch success as 1 leghold.

[jutah]

thanks coyotero i have thought about wax dirt but had not herd much about it if anyone knows how to make it i would like to know thanks