Was wondering what you guys do that set up logs layn across creeks.Iv got some of those killer clips,believe theyre called.You nail them on the log and the bodygrip jaws clip in it.Will this work with a 220,and how would you set up the trigger wires?Was thinking maybe would need to take some dead grass and lay over the trap,so maybe they wouldnt try to climb over it?Just never tried this set,so any info would be appreciated.Thanks

put a snare on it.

i harvest over ahundred evry year in ny alone. and folks think im full of crap when i tell them 50% are blind sets with no lure/bait/urine. you cant beat a crossover and when you find the right ones or prepare an area for one you can take all you want plus other species in those sets. depending on what state im trapping footholds notched in , 220 and even 160's and snares are all excellent. ive harvested 20 from one log before in a months time. i have a few locations were theres a hundred yards between logs and one is used by greys and one by reds and have never caught the other on there one except for 1 time i caught a small red pup on the grey log. many coons .are taken,and even skunks and porkies, but i like to multi set these spots. heres a few pics from this year.

Nice Pics Doggone-itt! I use to know an old Bobcat trapper that set blind sets almost exclusively. He had log crossings that he had used for 30 years he told me. If the log got washed out, he would spend time in the summer replacing it. He also used stepping rocks in shallow streams. He would set flat rocks spaced apart so cats would use them as a bridge. He would put a larger size trap on a flat rock with moss. He caught lots of cats my both front feet as they jumped from rock to rock. I still run into his rock bridges and he has been gone for years. cat trails are still there too:)

Thats awesome Doggone it!

How do you have the footholds anchored to the crossing log in the first picture?

Really good posts, excellent topic!

Thanks for the pictures.How do you set up your bodygrips on the logs?ever use any trailing scent or just blind sets?i was thinking if i notched in spots for footholds,that they would probably step over them?do you cover the traps at all to conceal them?thanks

in the first pic ,its a sleepy 1 3/4 os w/ a berk cable .instead of the berk in the ground,i just used a fence staple and attach threw hole on the end of the berk disposable stake to the under side of the log. i do this cause it saves time on replacing the cable as i keep this set up on most traps and it works out great.

also i set them up as blind sets ,i notch logs and cover with leaves or moss,i like usuing the double set up as i use a v shaped branch or crotch stick between the 2 traps and it forces them to step, they will hit one of them for sure and i often get both front feet, once in a while itll be a rear foot, but thats rare. also i will place a small stone or piece of moss 3 or 4 inches in front of each trap to get them to the step pattern that will land the next paw on the pan,and if not, itll definetily hit the pan on the other side of the crotch stick when he steps over.. as for the conibears i use alot of the barkers coni monts and keep the trigger wires off to on side and keep springs up and use a evergreen branch threw the springs on top of trap and arch it alittle to help with jumping over, most times they dont jump if they have a pretty clear view threw the conywith the trigger wires on one side. can also use a few nails to hold in place if dont have the brackets to hold them. in ny the foottraps need to be covered and 220's need to be 4 feet from ground level or in the water.just make sure to follow your states law . and if it was legal in ny,id run snares on all those logs,super easy,fast ,and doesnt get any easier. this does work on cats also and fisher,i have a few places that take fisher every year.

Well said. If i can learn one little thing every time i get on here i will be ok. Thanks!!!

Ross
heres what I make and use

4" for long legged critters and a 220 and 2" for short using a 110

Thanks for the info guys. I know of a perfect place to try this.

Don't know how anyone else feels, but I think this is Archive material

doggone itt-- Very nice reply and pics. This is one of those sets you might see in an old-timey book like Hawbaker's. Looks like it would work, but ALMOST nobody tries it. Thanks for sharing.

One question related to our trap check laws her in Wisconsin: Would you consider this a drowning set? As long as there are no entanglement issues, will the animal end up in the water?

Thanks.

i myself dont think its a drowing set as most places i set these crossing logs the water is lucky to be to the knees of a fox,all they need to do stand up,but once they get wet i have never found one alive at my sets and ive harvested several thousand fox over the years .even in just a few inches it seems they expire pretty fast once wet . and when used with snares or cable restraints its the same. also on the grey fox cross overs when using conies they are always expired from the trap. also evry porky,skunk and coon has been expired in these sets when checked except for a few yotes that wernt when water was way low only an inch or 2. hope this answered your question, dog

Thanks, dog.

Will critters use cross over logs over very small creeks, say two feet wide?

In Wisconsin you can use 220's on the logs if the trap is 5ft above the ground. If you ask a Game Warden if the 5ft is to the water or the bed of the stream they look at you and shrug their shoulders. I say it's to the stream bed so that's what I do. I seem to catch a lot of squirrels though!

dogone it do you have any pics of the sets themselvs?

Here's my humble attempt. Just one trap, between the two stones. Looking at it now, I think I may have overdone the blocking. Any thoughts?

Nice set. Personally, I would ditch the rocks and just use a stepping stick on one side of the trap. I use much smaller stepping sticks.
The only trouble with crossing logs is they get plugged up with squirrels, sometimes almost every night.

this may sound stupid but im new to trapping. how do you guys get a log that big across the creek.

Yeah, maybe I'll go with something a tad smaller for blocking. Hopefully I won't have to worry too much about the squirrels, think I've got my pan tension up high enough.

Bassmaster, this log was put there by Mother Nature herself. These past couple of winters I've noticed fox tracks in the snow (when we HAVE snow) on this crossing log. Finally got around to setting it. Funny thing is, there's another, almost identical log just a few yards downstream that never has tracks on it. Go figure

I think you will catch that fox.Not if just when.

Thanks trapper man. Only 2 weeks left in the season, so I hope the "when" is soon

Update on MY attempt at the crossing log set-

Caught one!




I changed the rocks I was using as guides to a couple of small sticks (see page 1 of this thread). Also, I was afraid of catching a fisher (season for them is out) and having it die in the water, so I put the trap on a six-foot chain with a grapple. After two weeks of checking this set with NO catches, finally today I looked and saw the trap gone from the log, and this guy was tangled up in the brush on the bank. I was standing in the stream when I took the second pic.

The trap is a Duke 1.75-



Would also like to add- this is my very first red fox! Thanks to all you guys, for giving me the confidence to try this set

There no better set than a snare on a cross over

Very nice results snuffy!

Do any of you have any pictures of the sets as you made them? I'm interested to see how you made the trap bed in the log.

I'm guessing the trap was solid (no wobbling) especially with such high foot catches.

Just wondering, I'm very excited to scout and prepare some of these sets for next year!

thanks

find a log that crosses a small stream and put 2 snares on it
likely to catch alot of fox and coon

Will S,

That would be a great option, but we can't use snares in PA. Thats why I was asking about footholds.

We can use cable restraints but we can't have any kind of entanglement or drop offs that would dispatch the animal.

Awsome set

Way to go Snuffy!

Shrek, while I'm out pulling traps today I'll get you a few more detailed pics

sorry we can't use footholds in nj so i cant help

Congratulations Snuffy....good to see your effort paid off. I have used these sets over dry creeks with good success. Mostly coon here, an occasional cat...Tom

Dry creeks? Really? I never would have thought of that. Have to give that a try next season.

Shrek, here's pics of the set-


The trap bed, cut into the log. I strongly suggest trying to find a ROTTON crossing log. This oak has probably only been down for a couple of years, and I worked up a sweat chopping this out. A hatchet instead of the masons' hammer would have been better.



The trap in the cutout. The grapple will be tossed into the water. In the second pic, you see the trap is level, or nearly so, with the walking surface.



Added the moss. Second pic shows how the pan now seems to be a low spot, relatively speaking.


Added a few wet leaves from the stream bottom and a stepping stick on each side of the trap. Next season I'm gonna go with doggonitts' system of two traps and one stick. Makes more sense to me. Two chances for a catch instead of one.


How the fox sees the finished set. I added another random lump of moss close to the trap bed, so the moss covering the actual trap doesn't seem so out of place.

Keep in mind, I'm just a beginner. This was my first fox, and my first catch in a crossing log set. You guys who have been doing this for years and years are probably laughing at some of this, but hey, it DID work!

Awesome pictorial Snuffy! I really appreciate it

I'm gonna do some serious scouting once (or if?) we get snow again to find some good crossing logs. Once I find the logs I'll set them up similar.

I was thinking about nailing down the stepping sticks and chopping out the trap beds now to get them plenty used to it by next season. Always something to do in the off season.


Thanks again guys, I love blind sets and these look to be real fun!

wow, after reading this I think ill have to give it a try. Havent ever caught a fox, thatd be pretty cool! Thanks for the info.

That's what I'm gonna do also. This stream connects two beaver colonies. While I'm out here checking beaver traps I plan to walk this whole stretch of creek to try to identify all the crossing logs. The fact that my trap sat for two weeks without any activity suggests that there's probably other, more productive crossing logs in this area.

Cutting trap beds now will save lots of time this fall!

anyone ever cut a tree down so it goes across a creek

I think Im gonna do some scouting and digging trap beds for these logs as soon as we get some snow

it will greatly improve your chances if you remove any surrounding fallen trees for quite some distance in each direction,ive done this for over a mile in each direction many of times, also if theres not one ,you sure can place one if you have permission from land owner to cut tree or get a few buddies to help you with a smaller fallen one near by. the trap doesnt need to be rock solid in its bed and doesnt need to be notched in the shape of the trap either, i sismply use a bow saw and cut straight across the log on each side of trap and deep enough to lay pretty flat,then axe out the middle,i make them in several minutes. i ususally cover entire trap with thin moss and or wet leaves. i always nail down the steppin stick of which i use a v shapped and place one trap on each side, and then a small pebble or piece of moss a bit in front of them to place there feet then the next step will hit the pan as its to far for them to strech to the next spot as thats a pan also, i have many of times had both front feet each in a trap. and often have a double on these also with the double set up. a snare is the way to go if you can use them.

most importantly,snuffy- GREAT JOB,your cuttout looks great for bedding the trap,and thank you for the kind pm you sent me,may you find many more crossing logs, dog

is the loop of this snare to small? it is for fox. (first log set)

i usually run a diameter of my hand spread and a inch or two so somewheres around 8 inches and 8 inches from bottom of snare loop to log /ground

Nice results K-zoo

Here's another thing to consider, for those of you who set up crossing logs with footholds- which way to orient the trap?

You can see from my little pictoral on page 2 that I set my trap with the levers parallel (longways) to the log, so the fox stepped between the jaws to put his foot on the pan. But I've been thinking that maybe a better way would be to turn the trap 90 degrees, so that the springs are crossways, or perpendicular to the log, and the direction of travel. I know that the animal would then be stepping OVER the jaws instead of between them, but this orientation would allow the stepping stick (or sticks) to be placed closer to the pan.

You guys who use this set a lot, which way do you set your footholds, and why?

To me it's a form of trail set and for trail and blind sets I always have the dog to one side or the other, and guides sticks to the sides, usually.

Nice setup PAskinner. The upright guide sticks is a cool idea

nice sets and catches

up

How do you guys secure your snare supports?

Staple nails or fence staples.

Easy enough. Just one more thing to remember to put in my pocket before I leave in the morning.

That's why God made bib overalls. Bring the whole toolbox and all the hardware.

I know a spot cats cross on a log. Our season opens on them after ice up. After reading about the dry creek crossing I am thinking I will set it for cats this winter. One never knows til they try.

It doesn't get any better set with snares

Good thread going to bump it up. Also find it funny that in NJ you can only use snares then next door in PA it's footholds and no snares

In georgia snares are only legal within 10 feet of water which I assumed would be only for beaver because it was near the water. This sorta seems like a loop hole so you can use snares on foxes coons. Pretty good idea, I guess im gonna have to order a few snares before next year.

How would you secure a trap when the laws only allow for 8 inches of chain.

Thanks

You could bolt it to the log. You could get some lag bolts and take a cordless drill and just sink em into the underside of the log. Just be careful not to drop the drill. Where can you only have 8 inches of chain?

if you put in a inline shock spring the chain can be as long as you want.

(yotes)

I plan to try the set next season...tons of creeks here....i know my buddy set a long at camp...never trapped in his.life...his.cousin said it was good for fox and helped him...old rusted up #1ls...caught a fisher...im sure they had fun releasing that!


How do you guys stake footholds??? I dont want anything hanging....staking in stream bottoms or banks can be tough to.impossible in some of the areas i have in mind...dont know if yotes will cross em? But if so i need to stake for yotes...most creeks arent deep..but some i might set could be...

Seems like once they get the trap they are likely falling off the log....could maybe cable the trap to the log and leave it a couple feet long so they are free on the ground in the shallow streams....

Hawhahahaha! Thanx man, I was dog tired and need a good laugh. hehehehe

Do they always fall off to the side you have your trap staked to?

Bump

I spoke with a wi dnr warden this morning regarding the use of 220s on crossovers. The 5 foot height retriction is from the water surface, in his view. BUT, he warned against rapidly rising waters in creeks. As soon as the water rises and the 220 is not 5 feet or higher above the water, it is a violation. Just thought I would share.

If you look at the INTENT of the law, vice the LETTER of the law.....it should be from the bottom of the creek. It may not be, but I think it should be. Then again, what's the law trying to accomplish? If it's to keep dogs and cats out, it fails by being on a log to begin with. That's a good one......

USMC47. The intent of the law is to avoid giving trappers a black eye. I trap on other people's property, and the last thing I want to do is hurt one of their pets. So I'll stick to 160's and other lower threat methods, but that is my personal choice. I am personally fascinated by the difference of opinion on the subject from warden to warden, and was looking to add to previous posts regarding "water" or "creek bottom" as the measurement point. I intend to ask every warden I meet, just to see what their interpretation is.

By the way, thanks for being a Marine and protecting all of us civilians. I really appreciate it.

is there anything specific about the log to look for?

Exactly my point. If the intent of the law is to protect a pet, what difference does it make if the trap is 5 or even 20 feet above water or a creek bed? It's still at ground level where a dog can get into it. I think the intent is to have it X feet off the ground on a leaning post.....no?

Being a Marine is fun....but it's coming to an end quickly....19 years this December....thank you, good sir.

JJ

I agree with the X feet off the ground on a leaning post or inside a cubby box - prevents anything from accessing the trap opening from the ground, such as dog sniffing out bait in the box.

Do you have to retire after 20 years, or just wrapping up a good career? We have a young Marine hero here in town who encountered an IED in Afghanistan, with lasting effects (brain injury). Tremendous kid and wonderful parents. Can't say enough for all branches who put it on the line for us, nor should we ever stop helping you guys out once you're home.

Don't have my regulations handy right now but does it not say 5 feet above a HARD surface?

Chessie,

I don't have to retire - I can go to 30 if I so choose. It's a tough decision but I want to start a new career as young as I possibly can. It has definitely been a good career - for sure - I've loved almost every minute of it. I appreciate people like you, Chess. I've been subjected to a couple of bangs myself...by chance, is that young Marine in town a trapper?

How do you keep one of these sets operating in snow? It's a good set, but I'm trying to think of a way to use it here in AK.

Log crossings should blow relatively clear if they are suspended above a creek. They should do quite well with a conibear or a snare. I have personally never set one, but I find that around here you seldom see more than six inches of snow on a leaning pole even if the snow below it is 3 or 4 feet deep.

i trap a river that every year floods up and floats away any logs crossing. i want to try this set this year but ill have to put my own log down. easy to do as i always cut wood out of this river. my question is what size tree i just cut to lay across? would six inch be big enough or do you want something a little bigger?

Chessie, thanks for the PM. I started a program back in 2007 where I partnered with this organization which trains service dogs for wounded warriors. I thought this was worthy of everyone seeing. And, for your friend.....I recommend you stay in touch with me..

www.caninesforservice.org

My two daughters and I took a trail hike into Bankhead National Forest a couple months ago. A few miles in we stopped to rest, near some deep ditches washed into the hill sides. I heard something running thru the leaves up the hill from us, and only then noticed a small five or six inch log laying across the ditch, about fifty feet from where we were sitting. Soon two coyotes came straight to the small log and walked across to the other side of the ditch. My point is, this was a very small log, and the coyote sized animals never hesitated to use it.

Also. I have trapped many animals on logs that didn't cross a stream or a ditch. The animals naturally jump up on a log and walk the length of it. I've done it many times on logs laying parallel to a stream, or even on logs just laying out in the woods. My main target on such sets is grey fox in the woods, but these sets catch a lot of coons and I've even caught mink in such sets. Add a little lure or urine, and bed your traps just like you would on a stream crossing.

Really neat sets, have to try this this season.

Bumping this up. Saw a fox the last two days out deer hunting that crossed this log both days. Placing a foothold tomorrow, any ideas on anchoring? All I have is cable stakes and some wire I think 14 gauge. If I double up the wire I can anchor on a drag or something. Some chain and a grapple would be nice but I don't have any. Maybe I'll grab chain tomorrow

Charman,
Did you see where he stepped off or climbed on the log? I'd set there on the ground
if all I had was cable stakes. They usually approach and get down in the exact same
spots almost every time. Attach trap chain directly to the cable stake. I wouldn't trust wire.

Great post, when I was a kid that was the first set I learned. Notching a #2 double spring with a hatchet and covering with moss from the bank. In regards to fastening one word of caution. I at first nailed the trap to the log and it sprung of my thumb. With one hand out of action in the middle of a #2 Victor Doublespring I couldnt get my feet on the springs. Lucky enough my partner was within earshot so he got me out. Live and Learn. From then on I would cut a long sapling and slide it through the ring and stick it in the bottom next to the log and set. When it make a catch it would fall off and slide down the pole and drowned. Caught a lot of critters in this set up.

I carved the notch for this one with a chain saw in the off season. There's actually three logs here. The largest one that I thought would be the best only produced possums and squirrels. The other one caught one coon. This one caught the fox the first day and later a small beaver which I let go. I just staple to the log with a 2 inch fence staple on these solid logs. I have a old spongy log on a smaller creek that I get coon on every year, just use a grapple there.

Thanks for the info guys! I have some different logs that are on a stream I trap. Would a #2 CS be to big?

This post is awesome! Definitely gotta try this set soon

I didn't read this entire thread. But Why do you guys make things so hard why not just catch the critter before It gets to the log LOL
There are just so many more options then setting on the log.

Because in some situations it's a fur magnet - catching everything in the woods.

Does anyone wire trap chains directly around the crossing log ?
If so would shortening the chain be a good idea in effort to hide the trap..

Fur magnet?

I can go along most high bank streams and find beat down trails running along those banks why would I place a set on a log when I could set 10 sets along that trail? If the log wasn't there the trail would still be running along that bank.

I could also make several dirt holes or sent posts or flat sets at the approach to that log and catch MORE fur with a lot less work.

These sets may seem cool but there are better ways of putting up numbers.

If your set on doing this at least give the animal enough chain or cable so It Isn't dangling by a foot and can get down to the ground or Into the water.

So set the trail and the log. Doesn't take much effort to notch a log and lay a trap in it, and it's the best pinch point you'll ever find, so why not set it when you come across one? When it comes to whitetails, if you find where they're crossing a stream or river, you'd sit on it. So if you find where fur is more apt to cross a stream or river, why wouldn't you set there?

I would but It wouldn't be on the log.
Why set ONE trap when I can set 10. My odds of catching doubles or triples Is very high. while you only have a chance to catch ONE animal and then there Is always the chance you might miss that critter that Is crossing that log. Or that critter may for some reason pass up that log and keep going right down the trail. Or your one trap on that log may be tripped by a grinner or a skunk. Then your out of luck.
In the time It takes to skinny out on that log and notch a trap bed then place some sod or stepping sticks. And then you have to anchor that trap. I would have made 5 or 6 sets that In my opinion would be better sets.
But If you guys think It's cool to make log crossing sets by all means do It.

Might very well be true . However, would they be drowners for fox ?

I don't do log sets.

Nope I want my fox DRY

Wet dry what's the difference, wash that dry fox in cold water with a little laundry soap before you board him and see how clean he really was in the first place and how much off a difference a bath makes.

Everyone says set up at choke points and funnels to increase your odds. Read the sin, if the critters are crossing the log, that is exactly what you have and that is why you make your log crossing set.

NO you catch It before It climbs up on the log.
A true PINCH point allows for multiple animals to be funneled Into a area. ONE set On THE LOG only allows you to catch ONE animal In THAT ONE TRAP.
Don't get me wrong you can catch critters on crossing logs but you have more options setting the approaches (pinch points) then you do on the log It's self.
If I were going to set a crossing log I would only use snares or body grips and I would place 4 or more on the log If It were long enough. If legal snares would be my go to trap.
If the crossing log spans a DRY ditch or stream bed Is It as viable as a log crossing a stream?
What If there are multiple crossing logs In a small area do you set them all?


Washing In my opinion just makes things harder. You have a nice DRY fox you skin It now you wash It and then have to re dry It. Seems like a lot of extra work to me and your not going to get one red cent more for that hide. And since a fox Is so thin skinned and Is subject to tainting I don't want that animal to hang around any longer Then It needs to.
Take your DRY dead fox and brush It before skinning. Skin your fox then board It. Then turn It fur out once it loses that wet to the touch feeling. Re board and brush the fur against the grain and then hang by the tail end. This will allow the fur to set when dry and give you a fuller look around the neck area.
Once you remove the hide from your board do a final brushing a little borax use at this time will brighten things up a bit.
The other problem with washing Is your removing the natural oils In the fur and the fur will come out looking a bit dull.
Most of us that have been doing fur for over 50 years like to take a lightly greased rag and do a shine up On both the leather and the fur side of the animal. This In my opinion is a necessity when finishing beaver and coon and even rats.

Quality info Beav!

I set a crossing log today and am wondering if anyone sees what I could change to make this set better next time.
I've honestly never used a stepping stick before, so I am wondering what is supposed to happen and if it depends on the animal. Does the animal usually put its paw right next to either side of the stepping stick? Do you have to know which direction the animal is crossing from in order to use a single stepping stick effectively? Is making a low spot key?

A few days ago there was 4" of snow on this log. How would that affect the set?

I did make the two stepping sticks shorter after the picture and they looked quite a bit more natural.

This thread hasn't been up for awhile !

I've been coyote trapping for 3 yrs so I'm still learning a lot. This is my first year trapping this property and setting log crossings on a creek, which I took 2 coyote off 2 different log crossings within 2 weeks. Then they went dead for a couple weeks and I pulled my traps. Do the crossings normally go dead for awhile. Are they better in the center of the creek so there isn't no catch circle, being less refusals to cross. Should your trap chains be long enough to reach the bottom of the creek (2' of water), or just run my 12" chains. I'll be making a few more log crossings this spring. Wish I would of seen this thread this fall, thanks for bringing it back to the top.

Thanks D

I think that this is Archive material!

The Other thing I hate to see Is a live critter suspended by a foot In mid air.

This gotten off here some time ago....grass/vines have not been layed over them yet.

Here is a 4" lag screw welded to a MB bracket...for taller critters like fox/cats.

The person that posted the original photos said that he will remove all crossing longs for quite some distance in both directions, up to a mile, to make the log better. Even if a person wasn't actually setting the log by doing this, one would think that even more animals would use the log....making trails getting there even more active.

It all depends on what the log Is crossing. if the ditch Is 15' deep or If It's 2' deep. Or If It's dry or has water running through It.

For those that use body grips on those logs you can carry your cordless drill with you and drill holes and plant some small branches to break up the out line of those traps. And can also be used as guides on those bigger logs.

I still would set all the approaches to these logs then the log It's self.

I have made log sets in the swamps of Louisiana for over 35 years,there is some very good information in the previous posts,above. Beav gives some very good advice about setting on land,where the ends of the crossing logs are anchored,fur funnels,for sure that can be easily gang set,on both ends of the log,solid information,don't just set on the crossing log,itself. There are other crossing log situations that have not been mentioned,yet,I will bring them to your attention. First,are the crossing logs that are used to cross swamps or low lying,wet areas,these are usually a series of crossing logs that may or may not touch each other,but,a lot of animals,coon,mink,fox,bobcat,etc.,will use these intermittent bridges to transverse these swampy areas. You have to look for tracks where the animals are going from log to log or where they first start log hopping,scat found on these logs will confirm that these are the logs for your sets. Second,there are the crossing logs on the creeks and sloughs that are two logs opposite from each other,but,there is a water gap between the ends of the two logs,forcing the animals to swim for a short distance,they do swim,at times,to get from the end of one log to the end of the other log,on the other side of the creek. Sometimes,there is only one log,that extends into the creek and the animals are just swimming to the bank,on the other side. Once again,look for tracks at the ends of the logs and look for scat on the logs,also. Third,are the crossing logs that are really two trees,one on each side of the creek,that have branches which extend above,intertwining,as they spread over the creek,allowing the animals to climb the tree and cross from one tree to the other tree,on the other side of the creek,without getting their feet wet. The ones on my lines are coon magnets and the trails to them are very good set locations,on both sides. Not all crossing logs are exactly the same,look for the tracks and worn areas,on the logs that the animals are using the most and don't forget about scat on the logs,too,those are the logs to set. Good Luck

I also like to set the bush at the end of a crossing log.In this pic you can see the tracks where the cat came across the snow covered log and went for the bait in the small brushy cubby constructed at the end of the crossing log.

TTT

Check to make sure these sets are legal in your state. I know that they are in NY. With the new regulations in Maine they are not. Cannot be set above the level of the ground.

I used to grass 'em up, but found that to be a waste of time with 'coon. The way those #220s are set up is the way I set crossing logs for 'coon.

The intent is for the 'coon to fall into the drink below, thus qualifying for the extended check on a drowning set. That's why there's extra cable coiled on the log itself.

Unfortunately, with the MTP 4" screw ins I use for #220 holders, a small percentage hang up on the holder and do not fall into the drink, thereby not qualifying for the extended check. I've been tinkering with solutions.

The one I'm looking to settle on for this upcoming season, providing I trap 'coon, and that's a big maybe right now . . . is a #220 holder that has a small-diameter dowel glued into the center of it. Scenario goes like this: drill small diameter hole into crossing log, push #220 holder's dowel into hole. There will be a small wire attached to #220 holder that will be stapled into log. Attach #220, staple end of cable to underside of crossing log, and be on my way.

'Coon fires #220, dowel breaks, #220 and 'coon drops into the drink, #220 holder is hanging from log to be taken home and outfitted with new dowel. New #220 holder with dowel replaces previous one, drill new hole if necessary. With #220 holder breaking off, no chance of #220 hanging up on log thus nullifying extended day check for drowning sets.

A bit more screwing around, but these sets are gold for anyone running extended checks on waterways in conjunction with regular water sets. Might as well set up several bodygrips on the same log. Easy to check as you run by the set. Weather proof. And 'coon don't mind attempting to crawl through 'em. The elevated #220 is a must, IMO, and keeps the 'coon from wanting to crawl over the trap.

Same log as traprjohn is showing, note coiled 7x7 3/32 cable stapled to log.



Same log. Notice the #120 on the lower log for mink? It works too.

MUSKRAT,did that coon come from the upper log or the lower one? and thank you for the pics!

The upper log. You can see the cable leading to the upper log down to the trap. There are #120s on the lower log for mink.

Did you see the DP in the first pic in the foreground? Four of those set in this location, all hooked to drowner cables.

Gang setting . . . 2 #220s, 2 #120s, 4 DPs and a #110 was buried in the roots at the point in the first pic. Easy to pull up next to the log, check the bodygrips, then look for the DPs.

Muskrat- very nice set-up.

Definitely a plus with the gang setting.

I have set logs that caught quickly and set other logs with no luck...... , but I do check them all for sign.

Nice info Mike!

chris

Just wondering but here in Mo we are only allowed the 5x5 conis and cable restraints. I know the cable wouldnt be legal but would the 5x5 set on the log work for coons? If so does anyone have pics of how the would set them up?

Use a foothold^^

TTT

Where did you buy those??

^^

Sounds like he made them to me.
You can buy these from MTP though.

ttt

Moderator please archive !

this is a really good thread hope it sticks around , we dont have coon but im sure fisher , lynx and fox would fall for those crossings , may have to try baiting the logs in fall get them useing them . good stuff