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.