Alternative to waxing traps?

J

jimbo_04

New member
Today I was wondering about waxing traps and wondered if it would be better, or what the result might be if you used bacon grease instead of wax? This may sound very nieve, and probably is. This is my first season trapping, and my experience with deer is what I have to go on so far. With deer I don't try to go scent neutral, it never seems to work. So I use vanilla as a cover scent, works quit well. This way it's a scent that attracts, where a scent that's neutral may not smell right or my smell still may get out even if a tiny bit. By the time the deer know I'm there, it's too late! I thought the same may apply with yotes, dip the trap in bacon grease, it would probably keep moisture out, and smell pretty good to boot! Would this work?
 
After reading that, I wish were kidding. I thought at very least coons may like it. Actually, this is my first week trapping. I did get one coon, but there was no work done to the trap. Just set it under a fence where they had been passing through. I'd like to get more, just trying to figure out a great way to increase the odds.
 
I played around with trapping many years ago but I'm not a trapper and don't pretend to be. I DO know if you're trying to catch coyotes that you want your traps as scent free as you can possibly keep them. You certainly would not want your traps smelling like a bacon sandwich. Bacon grease bad. Save the bacon grease for baiting bears.

I suggest you do some reading about trapping or find someone that can give you some tips and advice.
 
I've been trying to read up as much as possible, I found one site that has had a ton of info. I just knew with the deer trying to be "neutral" always seemed to be a lost cause. But smelling like something tasty, worked wonders. Wasn't sure if the same might apply. On another site they said if you're trap smells like food, they'll just dig it up. Keep their nose where you want it and their attention there, then have the trap where their foot will be. I guess that answered my question.
 
Jimbo4, the purpose of waxing traps is so the animal does NOT smell the trap (and to protect them). The whole idea is to have the animal concentrating on your bait/lure oblivios to the presence of the trap. If he knows where it is at he is going to dig it up with very little chance of stepping into it.
 
Most trappers that I know do not wax their traps anymore. Wax is needed to protect traps if you are using chemicals or salt in freezing conditions to keep your sets working.. Get some "logwood dye" crystals or some walnut hulls and boil them with your traps to dye and de-scent them.

Chris

BTW, get a subsription to "The Trapper and Predator Caller" magazine.
 
Iam new to trapping also,but I do know this,deer are stupid!!! Deer vs coyote smarts dont even go in the same book,whole different ball game.Goodluck with that!!!
 
I wax my traps, there are many benefits. It helps keep the trap from freezing to the ground, makes it smoother, faster, and generally work better. I've gone without also, still works but I like the wax.
As far as the bacon grease, definately NO! I do not want the canine to pay any attention whatsoever to the soft ground at his feet. All attention should be on the attraction area. The less they look down, the better!
 
If you are dead set aginst using wax you could try speed dip. I am not sure why it it is called speed dip because the whole process takes a couple of weeks. You mix the can of dip with gas or karosine and dip your traps in it and them hang them for a couple of weeks while the gas evaporates. I have done both and like the wax better. The speed dip works fine it just takes longer and is harder to get off to redo the traps.
 
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