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Post by pastortrapper on Jan 12, 2007 21:00:59 GMT -6
I've read where some of you guys are using moss to cover your traps. I am new at this and am already thinking about next year. (got the bug I think.) Could you tell me more about the methods of using it, how well it works, is it chopped up moss, if it is chopped up do you mix it with dirt, and where to get it?
I have learned so much and met some great people here.
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Post by trappnman on Jan 13, 2007 7:47:49 GMT -6
I don't use moss on canine sets- just never tried it- but often do on coon sets.
I place chunks of moss inside the jaws, leaving the pan uncovered. Then, you can either place one last piece over thep an and call it good, or sift dirt over it without the last piece.
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Post by musher on Jan 13, 2007 11:47:58 GMT -6
I don't know if we're talking about the same thing when we say "moss." Around here it is a lichen.
It's not good trap cover because it absorbs lots of water and freezes hard.
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Post by trappnman on Jan 13, 2007 11:50:01 GMT -6
the green stuff that grows on logs.
musher- some us us DO trap when its not freezing.... ;D
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Post by 17HMR on Jan 13, 2007 11:55:50 GMT -6
Are you talking about peat moss?
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Post by pastortrapper on Jan 13, 2007 12:02:53 GMT -6
It may be peat moss that I was thinking of. Just looking for some tips and willing to try new things that I may find to be easier.
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Post by trappnman on Jan 13, 2007 12:06:47 GMT -6
well..is it green moss from the woods that you mean or dried peat "moss" from a peat bog?
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Post by musher on Jan 13, 2007 15:42:10 GMT -6
I experienced that once. I think it was on a Tuesday ...
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Post by pastortrapper on Jan 13, 2007 17:56:58 GMT -6
Trappnman, I'm not sure what "moss" the thread I was reading was talking about. I was just reading information on another thread and the subject turned to using moss of some kind.
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Post by trappnman on Jan 13, 2007 18:15:55 GMT -6
gotcha- I'm guessing it was peat moss they were talking about. I'm not sure if the archives has anything posted, if not try search.
see if that helps, if not, come on back and someone woh uses peat moss wil lhelp you out.
I myself don't use it. Plenty do however
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Post by Randy Davis on Jan 13, 2007 19:29:44 GMT -6
We got a big rain here last night and this morning. I pulled some traps that had 2" of water over the trap. The peat moss and the trap underneath were dry. I would't trap without it as much as it rains around here. Makes setting quicker if you pre-sift it.
Randy
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Post by pastortrapper on Jan 14, 2007 6:12:25 GMT -6
Randy, explain a bit about how you use it. Where you get it how you prepare it and such.
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Post by 17HMR on Jan 14, 2007 7:10:56 GMT -6
Peat moss can be bought at any place that sells gardening supplys, it comes in small gallon bags up to 4 cubic foot bales. When I was useing it I would put some in the bottom of the trap bed and place the trap cover with peat and top dress with a little dirt.
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Post by stranger on Jan 14, 2007 7:37:26 GMT -6
I have been using peat moss for a while now. It has its benefits. It stays dry better than most coverings, it is light weight to carry, I don't use a pan cover when I use it as a bedding material, unless I'm after bobcat, but as Bob Went mentioned in a thread, it will float. If it stays under water for several days it does absorbe the water and look more like fine sawdust.IMO It takes some practice to bed traps firmly in peat if you layer it very thick.
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Post by trappnman on Jan 14, 2007 8:05:12 GMT -6
Peat moss can be bought at any place that sells gardening supplys,
Actually Jeff- around here not so true any more. I tried to find some about this time last year, and could not. I asked around and was told very seasonal here, and even then most places not carrying the bales anymore, just small bags.
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Post by Wright Brothers on Jan 14, 2007 8:41:26 GMT -6
Seasonal here too. Large bales are the best value, can use some in the garden too. Some call it sphagnum peat moss. I used it the last two years since reading about it here. Needs to be bone dry. I dig the bed, test fit trap, adjust if needed, dig center of bed deeper, double stake trap in center of bed. I refer to it as insulating the trap from mud. Place handful in bottom,and around the sides, wedge trap in tight, cover with peat, tamp a little around trap with trowel blade, cover a little more then finish with dry dirt or blend or both.
I sift before season and throw the big pieces in the garden. My batch had an odor the first year, but not now after sitting around with the bag open. I like peat moss.
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Post by ohiyotee on Jan 14, 2007 8:47:20 GMT -6
I use peat when the weather gets bad and when it starts to freeze. If you can't find it at garden centers try green house supply or a green house as they always have it around . and will usually part with a bale. its great stuff.
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Post by Randy Davis on Jan 14, 2007 19:47:18 GMT -6
Wal-mart always seems to have it around here. I dry it in a small plastic swimmimg pool and then sift it with a tumbler made with 1/4 inch mesh hardware cloth. Then I bag it up in kitchen garbage bags to carry with me. I also line the trap bed with it before placing the trap and then cover with peat moss, shaping with a depression over the pan. Then I cover with about 1/8 inch of dirt to hold it down. It's a little harder to bed the trap solid so I make up for this with guiding to encourage the animal to step on the pan so the trap doesn't move before it fires.
I like it, Randy
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Post by pastortrapper on Jan 15, 2007 12:19:00 GMT -6
Thanks for all the replys. You guys are great. I will probably get some over the Summer and dry it, sift it, ect., and experiment with it next season.
Scott
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Post by ohiyotee on Jan 15, 2007 12:31:38 GMT -6
I never dry mine , i use it straight out of the bale. I have been trapping out of a van so it is in the dry. I just cut it open and use it that way. I usually don't even sift it. You usually will find that it is quit dry in the bale, and actually the part that isn't will be frozen in the bale . This is a small amount and i just use it buy crunching it up and using it around the trap as blending and the dry over the trap. Be sure to use straight peat moss as a blend will usually have pearlite added and also a wetting agent , and you certainly do not what that. greg
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