Something dug up some of my traps...time to re-think!

A

alhefner

New member
The first trap I found dug up, but not tripped, had a couple of BIG piles of jackrabbit crap right at the set so, I concluded that one of the jacks did the digging.

I found three more traps dug up and one tripped with a jackrabbit leg still in it but the coyotes had managed to make a meal of the rest of it.

Right now, I'm rewashing traps to get all the scent off that might have been there.

One thing I think may have been a contributing factor is that I had used regular iodized table salt to keep them from freezing up. Not going to do that again! I think peat will be my best bet. It's light and works. Since I have to pack everything in to where I trap, weight gets to be an issue...

I'll be setting these traps out tomorrow to try again.
 
was your traps bedded solid????? they will dig if the trap moved ever so slightly. one tip on packing peat, if after you set your trap and have it anchored, move it to the side and put in a layer of peat, make sure you have peat on all dirt that is showing, I put in a couple of handfuls and pack it down as tight as I can get it, before i put the trap in the bed, take the loose jaw and gently put it over the dog, and out of the way. that way you can pack the trap in and not have the fear of getting caught
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after you get it packed in good and tight, you can flip the loose jaw over and carefully pack it in. then cover the trap with a layer of peat then a thin layer of dirt to help keep it from blowing away. pack the dirt like you would normally.

the keys to useing peat is make sure the trap touches NO dirt, and pack it as tight as you possibly can. hope this helps ya.
 
When bedding the traps in the dirt, I made sure they were solid by pressing hard on them in several places (sides, jaws, etc...) to see if they moved or rocked. If they DID move or rock, I worked on the bed until they didn't.

As for the advice on the peat, sounds good to me! It goes right along with what other trappers have advised. Thanks!
 

Another angle to consider is your lure..if your dirthole is too close to the trap it may just be in the "dig zone". Also, if any lure or scent gets on the trap they may think the trap itself is what they are after then they dig it up, if not already doing so...have 2 pairs of gloves...one for lure only and one for everything else.
 
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Originally Posted By: hdk82
Another angle to consider is your lure..if your dirthole is too close to the trap it may just be in the "dig zone". Also, if any lure or scent gets on the trap they may think the trap itself is what they are after then they dig it up, if not already doing so...have 2 pairs of gloves...one for lure only and one for everything else.

Yep, thought of that too! I'm keeping the traps bagged in individual zipper bags until I'm ready to set them. I don't apply lure to anything until after the trap is bedded and the hole dug, then, I strip off my heavy gloves and put on disposable vinyl gloves for use as I apply the lure.
 
Trap solid ! ! Scent free ! ! The only thing to say is Dbl. Trpl. blind set that sucker... You'll get'em.. Do a dirt hole set with 2-3 traps... Make him tip toe through the mind field... You'll cuff'em...
 
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