Author Topic: Put a handful of sets back in this afternoon (Read 388 times)

frozentoes · « **on:** December 01, 2003, 03:08:26 PM »

Well I am back in business again. I only set 10 sets today. I would have set more but had some problems. It seems where there was a bunch of tracks in mud and sandbars, there was nothing to anchor to. My 24" rebar I could push all the way in by hand, that would never hold a coon. Also there were no trees or roots anywhere to wire off to. Very frustrating. All the ground where the best sign is is sand. But, I did get some in the ground. I still can smell the fish oil and red fox gland lure. That stuff is rancid!!! Still have few more areas I am going to set for fox. I just got called to work for 3 days so that kind of messed up the week. I wish we could get some snow so I can see more tracks. That is what is holding me back on the fox sets. I have not seen any live or sign of them. I have been told they are there, but where? I take that back, I did see a set of tracks on Tuesday of last week. I went back there today but was not sure on where to set. It is an old farmstead with a barn, a small hunting shack, and a firepit. The firepit looks good, but the owner shows up every now and then and camps. Last thing I want is for him to have a trap in or around there. I am still thinking about that area. I think I think too much. When I get out to set traps, I spend more time seeing sign and then keep going looking for better sign. I think I am spending too much time second guessing myself. My line is all walking, and that fiberglass pack gets very heavy when all traps, rebar stakes, and other tools are in there. I went to check out a pond today that turned into an adventure through a jungle. And I never found water!! From the ridge I could see it plain as day. But from the bottom of the ridge, it is a very different perspective. Next time I am going to go from the top of the ridge and go straight down instead of walking the mile or so around the base. I know there are rats in there, just a matter of getting there. Well, I better sign off for now. Thanks. Mike

RdFx · « **Reply #1 on:** December 01, 2003, 05:16:13 PM »

You have observation going for you from your posts.... Do you or have you ever had a dog? Do you remember or remember someone elses dog running around sniffing EVERYTHING and scenting everything whether male or female?

Fox, and yotes do the same thing..... by the campfire spot make a flat, urine post or a dirt hole close by if you can depending on frozen ground... ive used splitting mauls to break thru areas i want to make sets and then make set and let alot of areas rough but trap set firmly and blended in and catch fox and yotes regularly... Sometimes it takes time for set to age before animal comes in especially yotes.... Use drags in areas you can stake.... Railroad plates or other heavy steel or drags themselves...... You can bring things in and use for drags.... Ive caught yotes in which ive used a used tire as drag with 8 foot of chain...... tire was used as scent post and trap put in front of spot urine was squirted on tire just like a piece of wood or tuft of grass. Now that it is cold dont be afraid to use skunk or something strong to get canine in area of yr set .... Make sure you use the north and north west wind advantage this time of year...... Also when snow does come it will help you see where they do go and after you see differant areas you will be able to say canine will go here or there approximately and then lure will draw to yr set..... Good luck.

bryan · « **Reply #2 on:** December 01, 2003, 06:01:00 PM »

Frozentoes
I don't know if this will help, or work but here it goes. When I lived in N.C. I went to a old ship museum. They showed how the ships would anchor off the coast on sand bars. They would use lunber to make a big cross and burry in the sand, and it would hold these ships in place. What if you took some , say 1/2 or 3/4 plywood cut it 1foot by 4 foot and stacked 2 on top of each other and but a "eye bolt " in the center that you could hook your trap too. spread it out to make a cross and bury in about 12 inches of sand, i would think this would be enough weight to hold about anything. Just a little something for you to think about..
Bryan

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #3 on:** December 01, 2003, 06:15:25 PM »

The old fox told you straight...drags. Now some places aren't good for drags for different reasons. If you cross stake you should hold most yotes even in loose sand. If it will hold a coyote it sure as h@#$ will hold a coon. To cross stake you can purchase Bershire double hole swiveled ends or you can make a rig using 3/32 or 1/8 cable; loop on each end big enough for you rebar...loop to loop about 4 -6 inches long...slip your chain end swivel on the cable and drive the stakes to form an "X" under ground.

Next season look into getting some earth anchors for those long walks and sandy places...save you back.

frozentoes · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2003, 05:12:58 AM »

Well wouldn't you know it. Finally got traps out and the temps dropped, creek froze, and water level raised. I had one set right on the edge of the stream that was bedded in peat moss. When I got to it, the peat moss was totally dry, but floating above the trap in the ice. That stuff definitely repels water, LOL. I had a 160 that was in what appeard to be a nice run. When I placed it, it was half under water. This morning it was 4 inches under. That thing I thought was a nice run turned out to be where water ran when the water level raises, DOH! Other than that, nothing exciting. I did find my first bona-fide coon trail! Now if I only the right trap(s) to set it. It was a nice trail that came off a ridge to the water. I definitely could tell it was a coon trail by the little tunnel the trail made through the tall grass. If and when the 1.5's get here, I am going to walk around this ridge and find more trails like that. Once I saw that a little light bulb clicked on and now I know what I am looking for.

Bogmaster · « **Reply #5 on:** December 02, 2003, 06:00:57 AM »

Toes,plant your 160 right in that trail,it will take your coon ,and any mink that comes along. Tom

frozentoes · « **Reply #6 on:** December 02, 2003, 01:51:58 PM »

I have been having a heck of a time trying to get the 160 anchored solid. Here is what I have been doing. In an area that has saplings I usually do all right by sliding a spring hole over the tree and then using another stick to kind of hold it up. Works, but not too good. Here is where I really have trouble. Where this trail is there is no trees anywhere near. I have tried bending the spring arms all the way down and then using rebar stakes. They still are very tippy. With the ground being frozen I am unsure of how to properly stake them. I know there are commercial stabilizers, but money is the problem. Also should they be right on the ground or elevated somewhat? I am assuming raised a little. I am going to set the trail in the morning when I do my checks. I still have two 160 I have not set yet. It seems they are the hardest trap to find a good location for.

RdFx · « **Reply #7 on:** December 02, 2003, 04:30:01 PM »

160s are easy to set and stablilize using a stablizer that you can pound into ground.... also puts 160 up so coon doesnt crawl over top.... If ground is super froze you can use a 3/8 stake and pound two holes to push yr stablizer in.... the 160 is very versitile... i have caught otter, coon, bobcat, mink , rats ect in trap and it works good.

frozentoes · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2003, 11:28:01 AM »

I got 2 160's in the trails this a.m. After I started looking, I found many similar looking trails. I also found a dead deer :x that was probably killed this last week during our gun season. It was partially eaten. This area looks like it might be a great area for snares when the season opens. This area meets all the criteria for the proper place to set them for coyotes. But that is not until Jan.1. I also set two other blind footholds on other trails. Come on morning!!