Re: EXPERIENCED FOX TRAPPERS sets for fox in field
[Re: beachcomber13]
#1577062
11/04/09 08:04 PM
11/04/09 08:04 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 153 Western Pa.
bowhunter1
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 153
Western Pa.
|
Is that trap set below the surrounding ground or level.
"Good common sense doesn't get you out of trouble...It keeps you out of trouble" MAM
|
|
|
Re: EXPERIENCED FOX TRAPPERS sets for fox in field
[Re: beachcomber13]
#1577099
11/04/09 08:17 PM
11/04/09 08:17 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488 Northwestern New York(Elder)
Jonathan
"Wilson"
|
"Wilson"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
|
The different "color" soil is an attractant all on its own. It is usually from a combination of things arranged by a trapper's individual sense and instinct from experience for trap bedding and cover, usually weather directed in the name of freeze/thaw conditions at a set. In some areas of the country, where frozen ground is not a factor, but wet weather is, different approaches are taken for the bedding/cover element to contend with. In either extreme, the color difference is from importing dry dirt from another location where it is available, and often involves a mixture of some type to keep the trap bed dry on both top and bottom of the trap to keep it operational. Those possibilities may include a waxed dirt preparation, or a mixture of any dry dirt (anthill soil included) mixed with peat moss or either cover hulls from buckwheat, rice or canola seeds. That is about the best that I can describe that consideration for now. A thorough search of the Archives should yield more information on detailed aspects of this topic as I have mentioned the options. While thinking about locations, this is another one often overlooked - took this photo a couple of days ago to add to this discussion.  It is a "dead furrow" from a plowed field made earlier this fall after a crop was turned under. When one is near the edge of a dense hedgerow, thicket or wood line, it is the ultimate "Trench Set." For this location pictured, I would place two carefully bedded blind trail sets in the trench bottom proper - blended in as best that I could make it look as natural as possible about ten to twelve feet apart; one trap favoring the right, the other favoring the left edge of it. Then, where the sod grassy edge projects into the plowing on the left, a dirt hole or flat set would be planted there about 6-8 feet in from the plowing. Over the years I have caught many red fox at blind sets in the bottom of these dead furrows. Jonathan
Camera Gear: Canon EOS 7D-MK-II, Canon EF-S 10-22mm, EF 28-135mm, EF 100-400mm and EF 400mm lenses.
|
|
|
Re: EXPERIENCED FOX TRAPPERS sets for fox in field
[Re: bigpat]
#1577251
11/04/09 09:23 PM
11/04/09 09:23 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488 Northwestern New York(Elder)
Jonathan
"Wilson"
|
"Wilson"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
|
Auker, The trench dirthole set works for fox and coyotes. I am almost positive that Deadfox uses that set for either one that happens by as shown in that last photo, but I believe John's main focus for that set is for red fox.
If both of these species are in your trapping territory and are vulnerable to capture at any of your sets, select a trap size that can handle either one. This selected trap size for both is liable to open wounds for debate around here. That decision will have to be yours alone through trial-error and observant experience. I use Victor round jawed #1.75 and #2 coil springs, and just bought two dozen MB 550's to try for comparison.
A classic, basic dirt hole set has a hole angle of something close to 45 degrees, with the pan nearly level with the ground. The hole angles used at any trench set vary widely with personal preference, usually depending on the target species, the depth and length of the trench, the diameter of the hole, soil type and the distance from the hole where the pan is oriented.
For the lack of a better way to describe or express this detail, it basically comes from experience and the "feel" for what works best in your area. That aptitude doesn't come easily for most of us - it takes time and practice.
Jonathan
Camera Gear: Canon EOS 7D-MK-II, Canon EF-S 10-22mm, EF 28-135mm, EF 100-400mm and EF 400mm lenses.
|
|
|
Re: EXPERIENCED FOX TRAPPERS sets for fox in field
[Re: Cody_13]
#1577452
11/04/09 11:07 PM
11/04/09 11:07 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488 Northwestern New York(Elder)
Jonathan
"Wilson"
|
"Wilson"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
|
Grove, You are right about the hay bales. The large round, square or smaller rectangular ones are mouse havens and canine magnets. I have posted my comments about setting near them on this forum a few times over the years.
Up until recent years, many farmers did not have balers that wrapped the large round bales in plastic or some kind of water resistant fabric. Without the wrap it wasn't uncommon to find red fox droppings on the top of them - a sure sign to confirm being on location.
As you may well know, there are potential hazards of setting traps at the bases of any hay bales that are still scattered around in the field that haven't been picked up and moved for winter storage. Very few farmers leave them in the field as dropped, picking them up as needed later. Most move them either into the barn or line them up outside near it - some just line them up along the edge of the field.
The "hazard" of setting near those left in the field or those lined up next to it is that you never know when there might be tractor and loading activity around them that will more than likely end up with crushed traps. If you have a good rapport with the farmer/landowner you can work within and around their bale moving schedules to avoid trap damage.
The ideal is to find bales, intact or damaged that might be 2-3 years old or older on the edge of a field that will never be picked up because of spoilage.
Thought this might be worthy of mention for those who have never set at bales - something to consider before getting too over eager.
Jonathan
Camera Gear: Canon EOS 7D-MK-II, Canon EF-S 10-22mm, EF 28-135mm, EF 100-400mm and EF 400mm lenses.
|
|
|
Re: EXPERIENCED FOX TRAPPERS sets for fox in field
[Re: Dale Brehe]
#1577604
11/05/09 12:34 AM
11/05/09 12:34 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 235 rio,wis
coonergreen
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 235
rio,wis
|
south side of a hill works great there all ways sunny theselves in the morning shot and trapped alot of fox doing that
2009 trap season 100 coons 20 grinner 210 rats 1 yote 3 bunnies 3 weasel(in a water set wierd) 0 fox 2 bevier 1 badger
|
|
|
Re: EXPERIENCED FOX TRAPPERS sets for fox in field
[Re: ray12]
#1579488
11/05/09 11:54 PM
11/05/09 11:54 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488 Northwestern New York(Elder)
Jonathan
"Wilson"
|
"Wilson"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,488
Northwestern New York(Elder)
|
Deadfox, Thank you for dropping by. I was hoping that this thread would have caught your attention, even though I didn't start it. Your photos of the set/catch additions certainly will significantly contribute to "waltp's" learning curve - it did mine! I knew about your red fox catch successes with trench sets from a few years ago, but was not aware of their larger size as just illustrated.
I was hoping that T-man member FlatSet from Wisconsin would have seen this and chimed in with his version of a dirt hole set. Yours is close to being a midget compared to his.
Jonathan
Camera Gear: Canon EOS 7D-MK-II, Canon EF-S 10-22mm, EF 28-135mm, EF 100-400mm and EF 400mm lenses.
|
|
|
|
|