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Post by 17kiss on Feb 14, 2004 12:32:29 GMT -6
Anybody have any ideas? Tried putting drain holes in bottom of bed , trenching , peat moss , coal shale. There has to ba a way. I am talking big rain storms.A little rain is no problem. Big rain washes covering off of reg. sets and fills my stepdowns up with water. I use enough lure that if I just leave alone for a few days catch fur when they dry out. But hate having sets out that rae mud puddles.
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Post by briankroberts on Feb 14, 2004 12:48:47 GMT -6
If your talking about stepdowns in that good old gumbo clay good luck!!
I just put a new set in after the rain, its the same kinda dirt in southern IL and it sucks if it rains and inch or more.....B,.....
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Post by trappnman on Feb 14, 2004 12:53:35 GMT -6
Location and soil type- thats about all you can do.
Drain holes don't really work- either the ground is porus enough so that it drains anyway- or the ground is so dense nothing helps.
The obvious is the best- set on uphill locations. When you trap the same locations long enough, you know what stays workable and what doesn't.
Make your step down deeper than usual, then fill back up to the depth you want. This aids in draining.
I have read about adding sand- but never have tried it and I doubt it would help much or at least not enough to justify the work.
Another big aid is soil type. Match the set to the terrian. I do most of my stepdowns in either plowed fields- excellent drainage- or in taller grass situations. Under the sod layer, the ground is usually the consistency to allow drainage.
Waterways are an important part of farming here, so overall drainage is good. The upper edges of these waterways often stay "dryer".
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Post by BrandonH on Feb 16, 2004 17:42:32 GMT -6
There are still puddles in the remnants of your stepdowns, Jim ;D They may never dry up LOL
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Post by 17kiss on Feb 17, 2004 6:38:19 GMT -6
I see Brandon made it to Library. All the slack I caught about my stepdowns , yet you find yourself unconciosly making them. addictive selfguided set arent they?
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Post by trappnman on Feb 17, 2004 7:07:01 GMT -6
You are right on that- stepdowns are addicting. I probably make 30% or so stepdowns now- up substantially from several years ago.
(other 70% flat sets)
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Post by 17kiss on Feb 17, 2004 8:00:28 GMT -6
Tman , just started playing with flat sets last year or so. Did not see the need with fox , but can definitely see need with coyotes. The setup i am working on for this coming season is looking like 2 flashy dirtholes(probably a stepdown) and either a flat or a scent post in general area. I like B's idea of putting it between 2 dirtholes. Figure the dirtholes as visuals and , if a shy or sly one shows up maybe the flat or scent post will pick him up. Seems like in some areas , you have to get the dominant dogs before you can get numbers of the others. Also seems like a good chance at more doubles with the subtle set blended in close by.The big problem I see is getting coyotes(in this area) to work a coyote catch circle. Instaed of a new set being another dirthole , this season will be blended flat set. believe that might help with the nervous ones. i gang set in Ms and it paid off. Out of 7 coyotes 4 were doubles. i believe 3 may be a better # of sets than 2 though cause I had 2 more set about 100 yards from the one double and it had a single same day as first double. If I would have just set 3 at first location , could have had triple  And on both doubles 1 of the coyotes was caught in a blended flat set/scent post. Coyote 69 has been good to me this year. cant wait to try Stef's extreme gland lures next year. |
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Post by trappnman on Feb 17, 2004 8:52:22 GMT -6
The big problem I see is getting coyotes(in this area) to work a coyote catch circle.
The first coyote book I ever read was Tom Mirandas. Its a good book and got me started down the correct road with flat sets. In it he stated- in some areas, coyotes will not work a catch circle.
And when I caught fewer numbers of coyotes- I believed that to be so. If I caught 20 coyotes that year- it was in 20 different sets. I was convinced that I lived in one of those areas. But then all of a sudden coyote remakes and remakes in general started producing more and more. Looking back over last year- I easily caught 50% of my coyotes at coyote remakes.
So you might live in such an area- or you might not. Once I figured out that the two mound walkthrough was the best remake solution to flat sets, I had and have no problem at remakes. I was pleased to read in one of Charlie Dobbins books a year or two ago that he made the same time of set at remakes.
If you have the traps- try this type of remake AND make a fresh set nearby.
Regarding a flat set between two dirtholes- you bet. And you don't even need to lure or bait those dirtholes- they will provide strong visual for a yote.
If I got the sign, I'll triple or quadruple set- but I think on the average location- with the raritiy of triple catches- you would be better off with 2 traps and use the extras to expand the line. Better 20 locations with 2 traps than 13 with 3 traps.
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Post by 17kiss on Feb 17, 2004 13:23:22 GMT -6
Not too sure on the catch circle thing here yet either. Rightafter you posted your walkthru I read that Dobbins book 2. Sort of chuckled then. As far as catch circles , any other animal but a coyote caught is good for coyotes here. In Ms. no problem with coyote catch circles. A coyote catch circle here seems good for coons and fox though. I like the thoughts of Dobbins putting food lure scents only in a remake. may help solve problem , may not. next season will tell. Any catch circle in Ms really pulled the cats in. I had a skunk in a real catty looking area. Showed ADGuide my version of a stepdown , next day bang. I t was funny cuz I told him watch and see how fast this catches a cat now. I wish all predictions were that accurate.
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Post by WVBill on Oct 20, 2004 20:04:08 GMT -6
17,
The only way to keep water out of your step downs is put them under the trees so you can stretch a 20 x 20 foot tarp.
Brandon knows what I am saying
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Post by BrandonH on Oct 21, 2004 10:23:49 GMT -6
ya heard ;D
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Post by 17kiss on Oct 21, 2004 18:34:46 GMT -6
Boys , boys , only had 2 out of mine have water even in the holes. i am getting this figured out , but , er , slowly.....
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Post by mattjones298 on Oct 21, 2004 21:27:54 GMT -6
no one loves stepdowns more then i do, but i make standard dirtholes and scentpost sets (a type of flat set) untill the fall rains are over and the winter cold sets in. this is when the stepdown realy shines for me, after freeze up. but i still slosh alot of water out of them even then. the advantage of them to me is you almost never miss a coyote that tries to work the set. if he steps down he dies.
matt
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