Dirt holes- Observation

[Deleted]

Rather than hijack the "walk-thru" thread, the thread brought to mind the structure and terminology pertaining to dirt holes.  Some may recall that I hardly ever use a cent unless I've tested it and it meets my acceptance criteria.  This year I decided to make my own bait to supplement the commercial stuff I buy so when I do/did my tests I normally drill a 1" hole straight down and put whatever I'm testing in the bottom.

As the previous thread went on I mentioned my ratio with what I call a "deep, step-down" and Braveheart spoke in terms of a "trench-type" set.  Without making an assumption and based on my own definition, I'd guess our dirt hole set construction is similiar.  So when I went to test my bait concoction instead of the normal small, vertical hole, I made my old "deep, step-down" set that would hold a #3 Bridger in width.  I didn't throw dirt all over creation, I pulled the loose dirt back as I've OBSERVED many, many "naturally-dug" coyote diggings and left it in sort of a ragged pile.   After I'd dug the "trench"(leaving it ragged/rough) I drilled a 3" hole on about a 45 into the back to the full depth of RK's auger with the top edge of the hole maybe 4" below ground level.  In the hole, instead of the usual tablespoon of bait, I stuffed a good 1/2 cup right to the bottom.

I came back 3 days later for a look and the look was very interesting.  The set looked relatively the same as I'd left it EXCEPT the set area was proportionally longer because they dug to the bottom of the hole which was probably 14" deep. Meaning it still very closely resembled the original set except the coyotes had dug to the bottom of the hole and they did  that leaving almost exactly the same loose dirt configuration and the same depth and width of trench/step-down!  Looked like they used a narrow backhoe OR a grub hoe!  

Sooooo, where did the coyote(s) step during the evacuation?  They of course stood and dug from the trench AND they stood off each side but did NOT DIG from either side.  Oh sure, there were tracks in the excavated dirt directly inline with the trench but no where near the amount of either side.

Just what I thought was an interesting observation differing from my normal testing procedure.

[trappnman]

to dig, to investigate that deep hole, they MUST get into the trench, as you observed

I found that a horizontal bait hole, encouraged this behavior even further

[Deleted]

This year I'm dedicating time specifically to learn how to use dirt hole sets in banks and dirt piles. I've always seemed to find "a better" set location near the cut banks so I've just not set them. I will say that after studying J.C. Conner's dirt hole video, my interest is tweaked enough set them up.

[stickbowhntr]

SO you like the video and got something from it never ? It must be worthy A HIGH rating ..LOL..I know your attention to detail and anything that sparks your interest MUST BE GOOD.

[stickbowhntr]

I'll have to get a copy and view it.

[Deleted]

Jul 23, 2014 16:55:33 GMT -6 stickbowhntr said:

SO you like the video and got something from it never ? It must be worthy A HIGH rating ..LOL..I know your attention to detail and anything that sparks your interest MUST BE GOOD.

Yes I did Sticbowhtr.  He makes a very good and informative video that is commonsensical AND he explains the WHY of what he does.  I was particularly interested in the "out west" segment of the video where the cut banks and dirt mounds were focusedon.  Lots of folks make videos of how to do something but I've found there are few that have the wherewithal to explain the WHY.  Conners is one of the WHY's guys!!

[Aaron.F]

Still learning as I go, but any chance I get I like to put in a horizontal dirt hole into a bank or mound, like above. You can not beat the eye appeal and they can not dig you out from the back.

I think all DVD's by JC Connor are fantastic.

[braveheart]

I like those sets in the winter on snow.A old badger hole and throw dirt all around for eye appeal.

[musher]

Aaron's photo is interesting. I have never set in the bank. Instead I always set away from it and on top of it. I've noticed that wolves will run the bank top checking out the set on the bottom.

In late fall/early winter a set like Aaron's could work much longer than a set on the bottom away from the bank. Of course, it depends on the wind and the way the snow drifts.

[Aaron.F]

Jul 24, 2014 5:00:20 GMT -6 musher said:

I've noticed that wolves will run the bank top checking out the set on the bottom.

You bring up a good point, I have always wondered in these type situations where you have a clear defined bank, if a flat set or blind set up top might pick up the non-commitals. Unfortunately I usually don't have a clear bank.

[musher]

A trap/snare on the top bank or on the sharp slopes leading to the top bank are better producers for me than the set at the bottom of the bank.

[trappnman]

high bank sets are good sets, and mark Z promoted a trench type set in the same type of setup, making a deep tight hole.

1080 reinforced my use of lots of lure and lots of bait- and I still probably am not using near the amount he would- but filling that bait hole with bait and stink, is going to keep him there longer, and sets that force him to the front will ensure he is there in the morning.

my increased success has come in large part because at every set (sans the few flat sets I make nowadays) I use 1 small gopher, or 1/2 1 large gopher, plus at least 2 lures and urine

[Deleted]

Using a more horizontal hole in the cut banks as you use with your standard dirt hole set and Aaron described with the set in his photo?

[trappnman]

not sure of your question- do I use that much bait in sets as you descibe?

yes

[Deleted]

Yes, it was a poorly worded question. I was referring to your first sentence when you described Zagman's trench type set if his hole is as horizontal as yours and/or how Aaron described his hole.

[trappnman]

yes. its just as horizontal, but set back- he digs a narrow trench into the high bank, then makes his hole in the trench

[Deleted]

OK, now I understand. In fact, your explanation answered a couple of questions I've had about his cut-bank set for some time.  That set-back would really put "the forced guide" on them especially with the trench.  I've read about something as you've described, I just can't recall where now. Thanks!

[trappnman]

I know Mark uses it on any rising of dirt- but I find for me its less effective when they can work from the back

[Deleted]

In J C's dirt hole video he stated several times that he likes cut-banks, dirt piles and small mounds. I found it extremely interesting as to his trap placement in his sets. Also, though I need to go back and review his footage, all his sets made into an elevated structure,(rising dirt) his holes were at about 45 degrees EXCEPT in the vertical face of a specific cut-bank set . With that set his holes were dug horizontally and the opening oblong, meaning the hole was wider than it's height.

[trappnman]

and I think Never, the reason for the above, is the exact same effect that we are seeking in any coyote set with a dirthole, and that is to give him only one way he can stick his nose/paw into the hole.

that's the reason my stepdowns have a deep horizontal hole- the only approach, is in the stepdown