Froze solid?

Nope. Guiding too far from the pan. I gave it a place to step other than on the pan.

As good as on the stretcher tomorrow or the next day...

too much pan tension.......................

You sure are having a heck of a time Hobby.

Humbling ain't it.

The lure seems to be effective along with my application. Just need to learn how to present it better I guess.

Peat moss ?

They like to paw at that stuff, seen it before. I think some don't like to step on the spongyness, notice how he stopped just short of the peat. I had one similar to the pawprint pic yesterday, missed by inches.

in the bottom, waxed dirt on top.

Never ceases to amaze me how people make things harder than they need to be. And pay the price for it.

I don't have all day like some trappers so I try to make them where I don't have to change them when the weather changes.

Guess that's one you forgot to show me.

My goodness Hobbie its good to see your getting it wrong! I'm not going to admit it but I have seen very similar events from time to time. Based on your research I would recommend you bury an egg and pee on it! On a more serious note I have done/ do a couple things when those scenarios arise (you likely have done or do the same).
1. re make the dug out set and put in the exact same set about 3' away...
2. recently I have been just kicking the entire area flat hole and all and then re bedding the trap (pan being the low spot) and dribble a little urine where the hole used to be.
3. throw in some pipe sets with grass covering- still havn't figured out if it is weather or what cause- but I will have days when every catch is in a pipe set. Conversely I will have days when every catch set is in a dirt hole...

I might just make a "Bean Chaff/Hay Set/Easter Egg Hunt/Closed DH" set just for you Beaglador. lol

Maybe 4 traps, 1 NW, 1 SW, 1 SE and 1 NE.

If its not worth setting 4 traps it's not worth setting- you should know that! Don't forget the step down/compass/trash heap/ wet dream set!

Here you go Beag, eggs and fresh HTP.

Whatever lure you're using is getting it done though...

I've said it before, I'll say it again. You boys need to remember to set a trap!

Trying not to take it personal but it's getting ridiculous.




These are different farms so it's not like I'm dealing with one fox being difficult. lol

Your picking the right locations though....

Looks to me like a bedding issue. I had the same problem last year with a couple of wiley yotes. Ended up catching em both. Hope you take my advice as trying to help, I'm not trying to put you down. Good luck with em.

Digging from the back side I don't believe is a bedding issue. When I return after Christmas I hope to have it figured out.




On a brighter note, the view was nice this morning.

great pic Hobbie,i'm packing in the waterline when this cold snap gets here so i can learn fox and coyotes a little better.did see one of my dirtholes from fall being worked so i reset it yesterday.good luck and happy holidays sir.

And to you as well pcr2.

These are bedding issues.

I seriously doubt it.

Lure?

the best thing about fox trapping is that they will continue to give you more chances as long as you dont pinch them. he will probably be back tonight digging your best efforts right back out! lol I do feel your pain...i really do. Im not gonna admit what happened to me this morning. But last night i did catch the red i suspect has been stealing my free range baby chicks from my yard.

And the hits just keep on coming.

are your traps odor free? Bedded rock solid? Use a 40d nail to hold the trap down if needed. I am not a pro but I had similar things happen to me and once I started bedding more solid catch rates went up. I use peat moss and the nails work and don't take much time. If you are in a farm field you are going to make sure you find the nails after a catch. The farmer won't like a nail in a tire. I know digging on the backside isn't a bedding problem. Are you using the wind and setting on the down wind side of the hole. Last year I had one digging on the wrong side so I added another trap there and it came back and I caught it in the second trap I added. You'll get it.

I don't think digging from the back can be prevented sometimes. some animals just do it. When one does I remake the exact same set but with a trap added behind the backing. they generally are there waiting to be skinned in a day or two.