Trapping 101 by Philip Massaro

Author:Philip Massaro
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781510716346
Publisher: Skyhorse
Published: 2020-01-21T16:00:00+00:00

Special Note: When setting a coyote set in very sandy or lose ground, where you suspect that one stake may not hold the catch, you can use two stakes. This is customarily called “Cross Staking.” What you do is drive two, usually a little longer iron stakes, each equipped with a slip link, into the ground at about a 45-degree angle to the ground, in opposite directions, which puts them at about ninety degrees to each other. The top of the stakes should be touching each other so you are able to put a third slip link connecting the two slip links on the stakes. To the third slip link attach a swivel; the other end of the swivel should be attached to the end of your trap chain. This cross staking should hold the biggest coyotes in the worst soil conditions.

Waxed Dirt Recipe

When land trapping with dirt sets, whether they are flat set sets, dirt hole sets, mound sets, blind sets, or even cubbies, and you are experiencing wet conditions such as snow, freezing and thawing, or just plain constant freezing conditions, the best way to have an effective functioning set is the use of waxed dirt. There are many antifreeze powders and salt mixtures which can rust your traps that are available on the market. I have tried most of them, with limited success. In my opinion the best, most effective and productive way I know of is the use of waxed dirt.

I wish I had known about this stuff years ago, as it would have saved me an enormous amount of hard work and heartache. To check your set, see that the animal has worked your set, taken the bait, and your trap is still there frozen in place and unfired is disappointing, to say the least. One of the features of antifreeze powders and salt-based mixtures that I highly dislike is how it leaves you with a well-defined wet spot over and around your concealed trap. Waxed dirt does not melt snow or frozen ground, it just gives you a waterproof material which will not freeze. When prepared properly it does not absorb any moisture and will still allow your trap to function properly in sub-freezing conditions. If it snows after you set your trap, the set is perfectly concealed, with no melted areas; using antifreezes or salt makes it look completely unnatural.

You should make your own batch of waxed dirt in advance and store it for future use as weather conditions deteriorate. It can be made anytime of the year, but it is much more work and takes a lot longer to produce in colder seasons. I strongly advise making it in the summer. There are several ways to produce waxed dirt; some just use the heat of the sun, others use a torch and a cement mixer for larger batches. The following is the method that I personally have used and had the best success with.

In the following instructions, you can either use sifted dirt from a local clean source, or purchase washed masonry sand from a gravel bank.

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