Big or small dirt patterns

[conibear]

When trapping K9s do you guys like to have a big dirt pattern or a small one no bigger than your trap. And same with the stepdown alot of eye appeal or small dirt pattern.

[thebeav2]

I like a big pattern at dirt holes for both fox and coyotes. I think a small trap sized pattern tells the animal exatly where the trap Is.

Gary

[trappnman]

a pattern has to be big enough to contain the feet when the coyotes nose is where you want it to be.

[bobwendt]

big. if I used stepdown sets anywhere I trap all I would have is a mini lake. probably be fish living in it.

[trappincoyotes39]

I want a pattern that blends in as much to the surroundings as needed, to look the most natural. Different soils and ground makeup call for many different pattern sizes, Natural is the key to a good producing set in my area.

[bobwendt]

that`s interesting, as UN NATURAL (i.e. fresh dirt thrown all over or black coal shale all over white snow) is a tremendous attraction in my country. maybe we both have different definitions of "natural"? you gotta admit, silicone is un natural, but it sure gets the looks from others. or, silicone like naturals!

[trappnman]

here that doesn't work Bob- one of many mysteries that perplex me and me me wonder.

well- snows a different story- then any dirt looks natural. I believe 35 is talking like me- contrasting colors on bare ground.

even in 17 st days of rain last fall, the dug down stepdowns stayed drained....good humus soil absorbs quick........ plus I always make stepdowns on flats or sides...never on bottoms or waterways. I assume oyu do the same w/o any difference- here doing so keeps the sets operating.

[bobwendt]

I think our definitions of "rain" may be different too! Here in central indiana, last few years par is drought all summer and as much as 20" of continuous rain in 30 days. only difference on the hi spots is the water is more shallow. kind of new orleans-esque type landscape. my field tiles actually flowed backwards last year as the water tables in the creeks were higher than the tile openings. add in our clay soils and poor drainage and anyone setting stepdowns catches carp and bullheads. maybe this year the annual summer drought will last a month into season. man, would that be great.

[trappincoyotes39]

Yes, eye sore as I call them small patterns are not productive with our coyotes, they approach and will hike around that which looks out of place!!! Example: gray hard gumbo, it's all smooth and flat add a trap and they can visually see the differance, if you leave it as such your results will be slow, feather the pattern out 2 ft and they committ much easier to it.

If it is broekn ground PDog areas or gopher diggings no problem, but alot of undisturbed soil and then a trap sized disturbed area even with some fake kick backs or dirt willy nilly won't produce as well as blending and making it look natural. Talking spring through fall is the most advoidance, until the pups start moving then you can get by with more on pups as you all know, but I always blend and make it look like the surroundings best I can and just don't change from that reguardless time of year, snow then there alot more receptive to the messy patterns, can't be as picky at 10, to minus- 20 degrees LOL.

[trappnman]

luckily we don't get that type of fall rains here! we did get 22" scattered around over 30 days this last month or so.

Fall- its a good rain or two- then normally clears up with high pressure- last fall extended low pressure and that miserable every day precipitation falling as an all day/night drizzle rain... and then just for fun every few nightsdown to 29-30 degrees. (October)

[MickMcLaughlin]

I like a big pattern,I try to make it look like a critter has been digging and throwing dirt back between his legs.I do this for eye appeal,but I also want the 'yote walking on dirt before he reaches pay-dirt.

[thefoxtrapper]

t-man, doesn't sound like you get the bad winters as I hear about up north, my area is like bob said, continuous steady rains through the winter mostly, some dry spells, but not more than a few days at a time unless a miracle is granted, the water pools everywhere and the ground squishes with water as it stays up high, few inches of soil and then hard clay, so no where to go....but to answer the question, depends on the set, a flat or post, I like to blend, some dirtholes I blend, others I make big and obvious.....w

[trappnman]

last few years abnormal- a typical winter here is high pressure nice dry fall. cold later Nov, often temps in the below zero range, got ot 50 some below here not that long ago- Dec- March are our snow months- but our average snowfall is nothing like way up north or on the lakes- but we usually have snow on the ground for 4 months and parts of 2 others. I trap my canines early to avoid that stuff.

[upcoyote]

No dirt pattern what so ever. Make set appear as inconspicuous as possible. Seems to work the best for me anyway.

[bobwendt]

4" of rain does blend a set pretty good, so I reckon this fall all my sets over a few hrs old will be blended after all. the fish stirring up the mud does get to be a big pain tho. lafayette just had 8" in an hour and she is heading this way, and I never even set traps today either. guess the summer drought is about to come to a squeeshing halt.

[thefoxtrapper]

oh yeah bob, no doubt, we have been without rain for a whole month now, not a drop, no more this week either, but I guarantee as soon as november gets here, especially december, the monsoon season will begin, would actually like to see some rain right now....w

[wheelie]

Small pattern the size of the trap, with 2" hole, against backing......................can hardly see it walking/riding by and thats the way I like it.

No problems with catching the critters.

[wheelie]

I don't think it matters much.............if you have good population levels (like I'm blessed with) than pattern size isn't much of an issue.

[trappnman]

here- if by pattern you mean "area that contians trap that is different from surrounding area"..... it makes a big difference on coyotes. A small, unblended pattern is usually avoided.

Around here, I believe any man that would set nothing but traditional small pattern fox type dirtholes here- would catch very few coyotes. At least, when that man is me it holds true...

And any pattern that is blended, is not small as it becomes part of the total area...