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Post by CoonDuke on Dec 13, 2004 17:52:14 GMT -6
For guys who run a lot of straight peat moss for trap covering...(no light covering with dirt or anything.) What do you feel the refusal rate is?? Let's just say there is a dirthole set (made with ONLY dirt from the set) that would theoretically take 100% of canines that would discover it. What do you think the percentage would be with peat moss for the trap covering? 50%, 75%, 30%  I have found that I need to make sets in sod when using peat. The color differnece is really bad in bean fields, etc. I don't know if it would make a difference...but it looks bad to me. |
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Post by Edge on Dec 13, 2004 17:58:30 GMT -6
When I am using peat straight;it means the conditions REALLY suck,so I make sets that let the peat work for me;thus few refusals;none of which I could directly relate to the peat alone.
One thing I do that helps is to run the peat right into the hole(so it looks like it came from there).
Edge
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Post by Maineman on Dec 13, 2004 18:00:07 GMT -6
Todd, I run straight peat and have no problems...Yes, there is a color difference...When I run peat, my traps keep working longer and there is this red spot in the mornings that sticks out like a sour thumb...To remove the red spot, I usually just tap it on the nose and remake the set... ;D
Blend the set if it bothers you but the Bottom line is Keep those traps working...
Dave Z
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Post by CoonDuke on Dec 13, 2004 18:10:19 GMT -6
Edge,
I do the same thing...putting down the hole. Heck, I sprinke it on the backing too, around the outside of the set, on the truck seat, all over...LOL. Thorpe says, "You either make no mess at all, or ya make a helluva mess!"
Dave,
Glad to hear you have no problems with the peat.
I have caught fox with sets made with peat and with salt. I feel the salt can cause refusals. I have had a lot of tracks at the back of the pattern with salted sets.
Just wondered if anybody had the same problems with peat.
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Post by PaulBurkhardt on Dec 13, 2004 18:16:48 GMT -6
I use peat instead of dry dirt whenever the weather is wet. I don't think I have refusals. Sometimes I use peat to build a hole back up after a couple of catches and the hole gets to deep, it is mixed with dirt then.
Paul
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Post by psb1011 on Dec 13, 2004 18:50:36 GMT -6
caninerefusalduke,im interested to know your conservation with said canine that refused your set because of the colour,and texture of the peatmoss.please quote word for word .
for three years ive used strait peat with a LIGHT covering of sifted dirt from the time I start trapping till im done,if animals refused my sets,(and they do),im not convinced its the peat entirely---certianly certianly certianly not the colour,but I havent talked to any of them yet.Peat has its downfalls,but the advantages far out weigh them.Must now shower eat and get some sleep,as I have to get up in 5.5 hours.
Also always use a light covering of dirt,cause if it gets windy,the said canine will surly refuse your set ,and you won't have to ask him why.
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Post by coyote on Dec 13, 2004 19:02:06 GMT -6
other than bedding problems, what are the downsides for using peat moss?
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Post by Stef on Dec 13, 2004 19:26:27 GMT -6
Maineman, Edge, Phil etc.. good post.
On coyotes, I've seen some refusals in the fall and early winter with " some individuals ".
Like Phil said, he always cover the peat with a light coat of dirt.
That works for me in the fall and in most case I don't see many refusals.
As the season progress here, the ground become frozen and we have snow on the ground and we get snow regulary.
Straight peat works great in these conditions. Refusals rate is almost none. WHen there's a light "good" snow covering the sets... I leaved it there... I KNOW THE PEAT WILL DO HIS JOB.
They cannot see any color contrast... Its just peat and white all around. ;D
And don't be shy.... I use lot of it for eye appeal (big pattern)
Stef
PS: Forgot to say that I don't use any type of antifreeze when I use straight peat.
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Post by trappnman on Dec 13, 2004 21:13:21 GMT -6
certainly certainly certainly not the colour
With coyotes, I find color to be a major consideration.
Are you saying with fox, pattern color is irrelivant?
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Post by walkercoonhunter(Aaron L.) on Dec 13, 2004 22:02:18 GMT -6
ok i have a question? if color is a BIG deal how would you guys explain eye appeal?just a question..i am curious because i have bone dry dirt and this dirt came from groundhog mounds and it is really light in color..this is what i plan on sifting over my peat when i set after the freeze up?are you guys saying because of the color diff...they are more likely to refuse to work the set?
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lobo
Skinner...
Feet so tuff I never wear boots!
Posts: 49
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Post by lobo on Dec 14, 2004 0:32:44 GMT -6
when the conditions are wet and nasty,instead of useing,say peat,waxed dirt,buckwheat hulls,ect.,have you ever tried just bedding the trap solid,and useing just dead grass and ground clutter for covering the trap,though unconventional,and contrary to most books,i think it is a better alternative than lugging around all this other covering.
just make sure the grass and clutter is chopped fine,and use guide sticks to put'm where you want'm.
it works great for me,contrary to popular opinion!
" i've been tightlipped long enough"
reguards: & "merry christmas"
thi is my gift too"you young'uns
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Post by Maineman on Dec 14, 2004 2:46:58 GMT -6
Are you saying with fox, pattern color is irrelivant?. I'm talking fox since I don't have coyote... I have little to no problems withthe color difference of the pattern...Granted, I do blend a little using dirt but that is simply to add "top"weight to the peat and keep it from blowing off the trap and exposing the pan but there is still a color difference at the set in most cases... I'll take a working trap that's color challenged over a frozen blended trap evey time...  |
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Post by Zagman on Dec 14, 2004 6:00:39 GMT -6
I have had medium results with peat, and now that I use waxed dirt, really see no reason to go back, though it would be easier, cheaper, faster..............hmmmmm, maybe I should go back!
I guess my thoughts on coyotes would be along the lines of color AND smell......I gotta believe to a coyote, that that little triangle of color has a pretty STRONG smell.....heck, I can tell the difference with my nose and even I think it's a pretty "strong/pungeant" odor compared to nice, sweet-smelling top soil......
Speculating to some degree, but with refusals on COYOTES, I bet it is a combination of the two (color and odor) and therefore, on SOME individual coyotes, it may cause some avoidance.....
With snow cover, you eliminate one (color) and have less avoidance......maybe?
Zagman
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Post by briankroberts on Dec 14, 2004 6:12:17 GMT -6
I only use waxed dirt , but have been considering Peat, I'm having a hard time with the smell and texture though, with my waxed dirt it smell, looks and feels like dirt, I get it out of corn and bean fields so its gotta be close, it doesn't get wet or freeze, weight isn't a concern for me as I use a 4 wheeler, its not the cheapest to use but it has worked well for me, I will try the peat sometime.....B.....
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Post by Stef on Dec 14, 2004 6:18:46 GMT -6
You're absolutely right Zagman.
Nothing will beat real dirt (waxed or not) on coyotes in the the fall.... I mean freeze,mud - thaw conditions.
Its what I believe but in the fall on "coyotes" better using other stuff than peat moss.... later... Works a lot better.
Stef
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Post by Maineman on Dec 14, 2004 6:29:43 GMT -6
Brian...There is no doubt that waxed dirt works great...My problem has always been getting enough waxed dirt to cary me through a season...I usually collect a 55 gallon drum of "dry" dirt (not waxed) and that will usually gets me through about a month before I have to switch to all peat...This season I had a little less than 55 gal. and had to switch to straight peat around the second week of November...
When I'm in a bind, I can get some dry dirt from the barn...It's that light colored "powder" dirt that causes alot of dust when you rake it...(you know the stuff)
All in all, I like the peat...but that's just me...Use what works for you...
Dave Z
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Post by thebeav2 on Dec 14, 2004 9:40:33 GMT -6
I have never used peat but have had several persons E-mail me about making waxed dirt and making statements about the musty odor of the peat they had been using.
Now If It were left to air out before the season would that help.Or do you peat users feel the peat would retain the odors.
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Post by Edge on Dec 14, 2004 9:47:57 GMT -6
Good point,Beav.
Of the bales of peat I have bought,1 smelled musty;it went back.
On one wet bag(my fault)it *got*musty,but no matter how I aired it out,it still stunk.....I junked it.
Edge
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Post by dj88ryr on Dec 14, 2004 14:20:08 GMT -6
Was that the bale you opened on the kitchen table? LMAO!!! ;D ;D
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Post by bobwendt on Dec 14, 2004 15:36:55 GMT -6
it`s all relative. If in true swamper country ( everything east of the river) it makes no matter what downfalls peat has, it is the best thing going. Like phil says, skiff of dry dirt over it or else. I don`t believe peat odor ( barring you pee`d in it) has any effect at all as long as your hole etc is stunk up even more ( again, smell is relative). As far as color, I think if anything it ads appeal , not lessens it. I believe you could spray paint the peat white and set in black soil and it would work the same. Here in the land of mud and the $3 coyote we are doomed to peat use or pack it in , always. I have thousands of coyotes that say it works, and a few flakes that wouldn`t get caught, some from peat use and some from being wise acres. Play the odds, go with peat and don`t pee in it. p Put dry dirt ever so thin over it. And pray it gets at least cold enough to freeze the ground thru a few morning hours so you can drive the fields to your swamper sets. I like it when all thaws to soup by 10 a.m., keeps the riff raff out of the fields.
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