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Post by Itrapny on Jul 27, 2007 11:48:28 GMT -5
Pick your general location, this is a typical location on my line at the edge of a plowed field. (Actually the edge of my garden but the same concept). I approach the set and place my equipment down - all within reach so I don't have to move around. I don't use a kneeling pad, I just crouch down on the balls of my feet. I'm not there long enough to get tired, but if I'm tired by the end of the day I may put one knee down. Dig your hole and trap bed. I like to make my hole at least 8" deep, but will go as deep as 12" if I can. I try and keep the trap bed just slightly larger than the size of the trap I'm using, makes for easier & better bedding. I try and position the pan about 6-8" back from the hole and just slightly off-set to the right. As you can see by the yardstick here, I am close to that measurement. I don't have a tape with me on the line and don't really care, just as long as it's close. You can also see how the trap is solidly bedded with the trap jaws and the packed dirt level with each other. I will use a leaf over the pan or small wad of grass under the pan if available at hand, otherwise I don't use anything. The finished set, blended slightly but the hole is still very visible. If this is the main set, I'll use bait in the hole and plug it with a piece of sheep's wool or dry grass. If this is a secondary set, I may use lure or urine down the hole. I'll place lure at the lip of the hole and sometimes a shot of urine off to the side. I use a call lure up above the ground (4-5') close to the set as an added attractor.
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Post by buckhunter649 on Jul 27, 2007 18:10:42 GMT -5
Do you worry about your tracks in the dirt?
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Post by Itrapny on Jul 27, 2007 19:10:00 GMT -5
Not really, I may brush them out a ways back but you'll never convince a K-9 you weren't there. I'm more worried about a person seeing my tracks and stealing my trap then the animal seeing them.
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Post by Issiah on Aug 2, 2007 16:38:21 GMT -5
What about the guide sticks? Don't you use a Small stone or stick to kind of funnel the target to the trap?
Do you use bait early in the season?
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Post by Itrapny on Aug 2, 2007 17:29:27 GMT -5
I almost always use bait at each set location, maybe not each set, but each set location. As far as guide sticks, stones, etc. don't really use them, most of my set patterns are blended so you can't even see where the pan would be.
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Post by Issiah on Aug 4, 2007 7:22:18 GMT -5
Just outback practicing bedding traps and I came across an issue that I sturggled with last year. I never seem to have enough dirt to bed the trap from the hole that I dig. Last year I was walking a little ways from the set and digging up more dirt to finish the bedding. Is this common practice when freezing temps are not a factor?
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Post by Itrapny on Aug 4, 2007 7:40:14 GMT -5
I've never, well I don't ever recall, not having enough dirt to bed the trap when making a set, covering it is a different story however. I carry a container of dry dirt with me and will use that if I run out of dirt to cover the set, or if the surrounding location has decent dirt around I may dig a small borrow hole to get some additional dirt. I only have this problem if there are a lot of rocks in the soil though. It's one of those mystery's of life , you dig a hole, place more in than what you're taking out and don't have enough dirt to fill it back in Anyway, don't worry about it too much, if you think you'll need additional dirt to bed & cover your set make sure you bring some in with you or dig a little before you start making your set and that way you won't have to stomp around the area.
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Post by Issiah on Aug 4, 2007 7:50:14 GMT -5
I like to PACK alot of the dirt back into the hole ive dug until the pan sits just below ground level; that's where alot of the dirt is going. Still there is usually enough to pack the dirt firmly around the outside jaws but hardly ever to put any on the inside of jaws or to cover the trap.
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Post by scentpost on Nov 4, 2007 16:50:23 GMT -5
Great set instruction!
Andy
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Post by TnPsycho on Nov 6, 2007 18:32:59 GMT -5
how are your traps anchored on these sets and do you just use a straight cable, or do yours have a spring?
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Post by Itrapny on Nov 6, 2007 18:37:58 GMT -5
The KB's have a unique scissors type spring built in. For other traps, I have an in-line spring similar to the JC Conners design. I anchor all my traps with cable stakes (HD Berkshires) with 12"-18" of cable depending upon soil & thieves
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Post by TnPsycho on Nov 6, 2007 18:43:34 GMT -5
how important do you feel the springs are on the cables?
is ther instruction on this site on making a sring cable or something of the sort..
Sorry for the thread hijack.. these questions just came to mind after looking at these sets..
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Post by Itrapny on Nov 6, 2007 18:48:41 GMT -5
You can purchase the in-line springs at many trapper supply dealers. As far as building them yourself, probbaly not unless you have a machine shop. When setting up for coyotes, the in-line spring help reduce the chance of pull-outs during the lunges they make.
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Post by Spikehorn11 on Nov 14, 2007 13:49:27 GMT -5
Wayne after a catch will you reset even if there is a catch circle?
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Post by centro44 on Nov 14, 2007 17:36:15 GMT -5
always reset after a catch because:
1- it has to be a good spot 2- it is all torn up and that gives attraction 3- you have the smell of an animal already there(yours won't be there) 4- you might want to change the trap due to the condition
eric centro
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Post by Itrapny on Nov 14, 2007 19:05:45 GMT -5
Just about 100% of the time. Sometimes you can't because of mud..... or if you catch a skunk and it makes a 4 foot high mound.... But as Eric stated, the area reeks with critter scent and it makes it more of an attraction. I have seen where some coyotes will avoid a catch circle, but that's why I always have a least 2-3 traps per location. I've caught coyotes in fox remakes and fox in coyotes remakes, as well as both in possum, coon & skunk remakes.
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