Buckwheat hulls and trapping in snow

[coyote trapper1928]

Hi:

  How do Buckwheat hulls work when trapping in snow conditions? We have about 3 inches of snow on the ground now and are expecting more snow today. Will buckwheat hulls freeze up solid in the snow?

                                                                                   Thanks,

                                                                  coyote trapper1928

[Mallard]

Although I’ve never used Buckwheat hulls, I do know that dry matter at a set will remain dry so long as the thermometer stays below freezing. It’s the thaw freeze, thaw freeze change that makes for tough trapping. I have used, and will continue to use Ant hill chaff as my medium under the pan, but one difference that may exist between buckwheat hulls and ant chaff, is that the ant chaff has a waxy coating on it, and any “thaw” moisture will not absorb into it, and therefore it doesn’t matter if its freezing or not. As far as the top layer and bedding material is concerned (dirt), during the thaw/freeze period, I prefer to use a 50/50 mix of glycol and water antifreeze sprayed on the trap bed, around the edges before I pack the jaws, and then on the top dress layer to prevent freeze up. It seems to work well for this transitional period of the weather. Once the weather stays under the freezing mark all day long, I simply go to ant chaff and dry dirt, being that no moisture will wick into the dirt when it’s below freezing. I’m not sure if this works for everyone further south, but up here we have very long periods of sub-freezing weather. (48 days strait last year at one point)

[Asa Lenon]

Excellent, well explained advice Mallard!  Ace

[jim-NE]

I haven't used them in much snow conditions, but used them extensively in both dry and wet conditions when freezing conditions were present. My experience in these conditions is that the will "crust over" if you get a light mist or rain then hard freeze. I use a lot of longsprings on dryland, and I just push the trap down into the bed and let the bottom of the springs and frame freeze down if conditions are cold after a wet spell. I cover the rest up with coverhulls but only after taking a stick and cleaning out all the mud, dirt, and other debris from around the jaws and inside the springs, etc. I use a wad of pipe insulation under my trap pans to keep this area freely moving also. This model trap will still fire even if the bottom of the springs and frame freeze down but only if the working parts are not in immediate contact with the ground. I usually end up replacing buckwheat hulls too after a few days if there is a good frost or other moisture in the air each night. I do a lot of walking, and a milk jug or two full of buckwheat hulls weighs practically nothing in comparison to other freeze-proof materials I've tried.