Winter Canines

[NittanyLion]

Couple of questions: How does one dig a bed in frozen turf? Once the bed is dug, and remember, the ground is frozen solid, how do you bed the trap? How does one dig a dirthole in frozen ground? What can be used to cover the trap when there is snow on the ground, but it warms to slightly above freezing during the day? In other words, how would one successfully run a canine line this time of the year?

[mike692]

NL,

I have very little experience this time of year compared to these other guys, but here's what I did this year.
I have a hammer with a "sod buster" welded to the top. I chop out a trap bed with that. I tried to keep it the size of my trap and that seemed to help with bedding. I just wedged the trap in the bed. I covered with sifted peatmoss. I kept them working in this crap for about 2 weeks, then the snow got to deep and I pulled them. I used flat sets and dirt holes. I made the dirt hole with my stake driver.

[dj88ryr]

I use an axe, or a masons hammer to chop out a bed, I may make these a little deeper this time of year. I use anthill dirt ( waxed for me by the formicans ) to fill in the bed, another option would be waxed dirt, or even peat moss, bed you trap in this, then use the dirt you have stored for covering. If using waxed dirt or dry dirt, or dry peat, you will have no problem with freezing thawing conditions. If it rains, the dry dirt, or peat moss will have to be replaced. I have never used it, but from what I have heard the waxed dirt is not as affected by this occurance.
As for digging the dirt hole, I had a sawed off, pint sized, mink trapper give me an auger, this does not seem to be affected by frozen ground, it just takes a little more pressure, I hope this guy saved an auger for himself as I heard through the grapevine, that mink trappers are starting to think about canine trapping again, not sure if most have the stamina, but the little guy that helped me does, and he knows his canines as well. ;D

[17kiss]

When ground is hard like right now , I use a mattaxe or digging iron to shape out trap bed. finish with mason hammer. I use a selfaugering bit in my 24 volt cordless drill to make my dirtholes. 2 in hole about 8 inches deep. Bed in peat moss or dry dirt , cover , mist urine , lure and go. Nicer when there is snow to insulate ground from freezing so hard. if you search out sod areas it is also easier.

[conibear1]

In this country frozen ground is a safe bet. I have traps out now, but I have been using beds that were dug and stakes placed before the ground froze. These sites are ready for a trap before freeze up.

I use waxed dirt for covering. It works great!!

It takes some preseason work, but otherwise chopping is the only other alternative. A masons hammer does work, but be careful of the chips jumping out hitting you in the eye.

[Stef]

Pre-diging ;D

Or flat set can be constructed quite easily.

Stef

[dj88ryr]

OK Mon Stef, how do we make a decent flat set on frozen ground without digging a trap bed. I may put a few back out this week.

[17kiss]

Hey i want to haer this too!

[Stef]

You can do what 17kiss wrote above, try to lift rock and if you can, use the use the hole for trap and rock if you want for backing ;D

Also, you can bring 5-10 gallons of manure or a hay bale and make sets on top of frozen ground, use bigger traps and more than one traps.
Some creek banks work well (usually sandy around here). Set or the north side of the creek and sun will heat the set area for a long period during the day.
Fox do travel alot on icy creek and marsh.
Watch snow drift spot

Etc......

Stef

[Stef]

Also, if you cannot do nothing good....hang some snares or look at another spot ;D

Stef

[dj88ryr]

Thanks Stef, I have some #3s that I will try this with, had never thought of setting a trap without digging a bed. Hmmmm, now the wheels are turning.

[Stef]

I have to admit that this year was real bad for HARD frozen ground around here.
Its not PA here ;D

With all the water we had, ground was terrible to work.
Well, was bad all season ;D

Stef

[17kiss]

Hey Stef will give try tomorrow. Will let WVBIll tell the story of catches. I am anxious to set some steel.

[trappnman]

I want snares!!! LOL


There is absolutely NOTHIN' harder than bare frozen ground. I don't know what the solution would be if I really wanted to trap canines heavy in the winter. Last year- no snow (like this year) below zero- like this year- and I decided to trap yotes. Took 18 traps- was going to make 6 locations of 2. huh! after working as hard as I every worked- under ice beaver trapping is a piece of cake to frozen ground- I use a combo of my masons hammer and an old fashioned iron ice spud to barely chop out beds for 6 traps- and I was whipped!

I don't know how you would roll a frozen rock- but a good idea. Pre digging holes would be nice- but its so hard to predict snow patterns and travel routes weeks or months before.

Something i tried a little- used it first in real muddy ground and tried it a little last spring and found it works but you will need dry dirt- a lot of it.

I took a bucket of dirt and spread it in a pattern against an old gopher mound- or any appropriate looking backing. Make the dirt about 4-5 inches thick and fan it out away from the mound or backing. Basically building up the ground.

then just bed you trap and stake your trap. I staked- but drags would certainly save the dirt and location.

In below freezing weather- no freeze proofing is needed.

[17kiss]

Just got back from chipping some out with Bill. Cant figure out if i am that out of shape or if the ground was just that hard. I even made Bill do most of the digging Let me tell you a flat set is much easier to do than my stepdown. Steve , you would have been proud of me. Propped a bleached cow legbone up in air and set a trap about 10 feet on either side of. Stands out like a sore thumb this time of year. Bill has got it rough down there. Most of the land is pastures , but seems to have a high pop. of fox. setting more on prominent features than crop changes and such. sort of landlocked. Think we got about 8 or so sets in by lunchtime. Hope they produce or I will feel dumb trying to help out.

[trappnman]

LOl- thats how I felt last year. Pounding stakes- Lori generously said she would pound for a while- I looked at her and said I was pounding with all my effort- and you could barely see the stake go down. Hammer like a maniac for 50-60 blows- look...yeah..MAYBE it moved a little...I did decide all sets that day were going to be single staked. When I pulled those traps- had to leave the stake there til spring- thats how frozen the ground was.

I can see now that I am going to have to invest in some good drags if I want to continue late season canine.

My pattern now is to hit coyotes hard until bascally Thanksgiving- deer hunt- then after that run water until March.

But am strongly thinking of next year running coyotes, then water until about now- then hopefully will run snares and a few traps until end of Feb.

Thus all my questions about waxed dirt, bigger traps, etc...

[NittanyLion]

I can't wait to hear the success stories.

[17kiss]

Hope there is success stories. Could not get set just right , but is close. Using 1.5s and old style victor 2s. Pounding the stake in was not too bad once you got down about 10 inches or so.Except Bill "got a deal" on stakes. Every time I got one all the way down the damn head would break off. ::)All in all a fun , hopefully productive day. Told him to keep digital in truck. He got a picture of me giving my number 1 salute. I am sure he will post that really not too bad. With a digging iron could probably get 20 or better sets out in half day. Not setting the world on fire , but could be worse. There was great sign at one crossing , so should produce.

[17kiss]

Looks like no matter where I go The skunks know it. 1 skunk , 1 pattern miss , and spooked 2 in trap area when checking. Tomorrow shoud be better. Wish I would have brought my drill to get deeper and bigger holes.

[mike692]

Steve,

That frozen ground sounds like another perfect opportunity to use Zagman's concrete drags. No arm cramps required. ;D