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Post by mb650 on Dec 12, 2014 18:14:16 GMT -5
With all the snow I'm wondering after I've shoveling a big area around the set is this a waste of time?Is a fox or coyote going to work these sets? Iam talking 2ft of snow ,the area I've shovel is so unnatural looking . My next question is with constant snow fall sweeping and shoveling snow of from sets ,but yet we need to check sets at a distance how is that possible? Last question is shoveling a little over a doz traps per day, how in the world do you longline guys do this?? Thanks for any input and good luck.
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MuskratKid_Ny
Don't catch any fur with traps in the shed get setting
Posts: 434
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Post by MuskratKid_Ny on Dec 12, 2014 18:34:39 GMT -5
In my experience they don't come into shoveled areas unless it's deep winter and they are starving but u get a dumb one here and there ... I need someone with a snowmobile to drive my line to pack it down so they can move about in my area with this 15 inches of snow ...
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Post by mole on Dec 12, 2014 18:41:52 GMT -5
Russ Carmans Winter Fox trapping book might be of help to you.
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Post by oldman50 on Dec 12, 2014 19:18:46 GMT -5
Maybe they don't work muskratkids sets when he shovels but I have had a few on the stretchers that would disagree. I shovel right down to the ground and make standard canine sets. Works just fine. It's the patience part that's hard. Stay away from the sets when you check and give them time.
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Post by slyfox74 on Dec 12, 2014 22:08:51 GMT -5
I agree with the oldman. I shovel all my sets down to bare ground and have no problems filling stretchers with K9's. I was taught that method a long time ago by a very successful Coyote trapper. It beats the heck out of fighting frozen snow.
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Post by nyredfox on Dec 13, 2014 6:16:51 GMT -5
I too dig down to bare ground. I dig about a 6 foot area out. Similar to a catch circle... Put the set right in the middle. Once those sets start catching, they are money!!!!! I then make my truck tracks go through through the circle. Like muskrat said, the k9s follow the tracks. I lead them right to my sets.
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Post by mastroj187 on Dec 15, 2014 15:21:11 GMT -5
Maybe they don't work muskratkids sets when he shovels but I have had a few on the stretchers that would disagree. I shovel right down to the ground and make standard canine sets. Works just fine. It's the patience part that's hard. Stay away from the sets when you check and give them time. I've read several threads including this one that refers to staying away from sets when you check them. What exactly does stay away mean? For example if I'm trapping a field for canines and I can see the set 80-100 yds away and it's empty do I continue to the next set? Or could I get as close as 10 feet so I can see if the trap was fired and needs a re-make. Maybe I'm getting to close on checks as I sometimes like to verify if there are any tracks around the set to see if something was working it. I realize each situation is different and some sets may require you to get within 10 feet before you can even check it. Just curious. BTW, I check all my lines on foot and don't have the ability to drive to them.
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Post by oldman50 on Dec 15, 2014 16:50:17 GMT -5
I also have several sets that I have to check on foot. I use a pair of binoculars and check from a distance. I like to know if my traps are sprung or not but going up to them day after day will deter any canines from working your sets at all. I also bear this in mind when setting. I like to place them where I can check from a distance. I don't have any problems seeing them through binoculars. A sprung trap sticks up pretty good. Just saying that the more you walk up to them the less chances you will have of anything working them. I like to stay back at least 10 feet but more is better. Trust me on this, you will do way better if you stay away from them. I learned the hard way from playing with the sets too much. Let them work. Hope I helped and did'nt confuse you more. I have a way of doing that.LOL
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Post by silentnight on Dec 15, 2014 21:54:56 GMT -5
FWIW, i usually check mine from as far as i can see them and be positive there is no catch, then every couple of days or so get close enough to check the trap its self. plenty of times ill ride the fourwheeler or drive right past my sets to check them. im sure it deters them to some extent, but i think if there is a canine in the area and wants to work your set for whatever bait or lure your using or whatever the case may be, there gonna work the set wether you walked by it or not. certianly keeping your scent out of the area would be a good thing but i think its gonna matter more if they are interested in whtever smell you left them to work.
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Post by 2labs on Dec 15, 2014 22:19:31 GMT -5
I drive my truck right past or close to my sets,even in snow! I don't target yotes and fox will follow your tracks right to the sets.
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Post by mastroj187 on Dec 16, 2014 16:48:23 GMT -5
Thanks guys for the suggestions. I'll try keeping my distance as I check them and see if things improve.
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