The first set I caught a coyote on was a dirthole, and instantly that was it, that is the only set that i need to make to catch these dogs!, the flat set to me seemed inferior, how in the world would a coyote be interested in that? There is nothing there! I have made some flat sets before and have posted pics of them on this site a few years ago, but caught very few yotes, so obviously my confidence to say the least was really lacking. and a every year i would make a few flat sets just because that is something you are "suppose to do". I had read posts and watched youtube videos and still didn't get it!, I had better luck on blind sets.....so riddle me this, I had more confidence in something that had no smell or sight appeal that i did in flat sets.....

Although i haven't really trap a whole lot in the past two years or so, i did fool around with it, and decided that all i was gonna put in were flat sets, NO DIRTHOLES FOR ME!!! ...I declared!, i was determined to get it right, and i had some success, i would say just as much as with dirtholes, Honestly I was surprised,


But what are the real reasons why coyote men put in flat sets? is it that they are more appealing to a coyote?......Nah, I don't think so.

Is it that it was taught to trappers out of tradition, and the dirthole was unknown 100 or so years ago......Nah, I don't think so either, because i think trappers or "Wolfers" were using some kind of hole either pre-made by another animal or one they made it themselves, it would be hard to convince me other wise, and please don't give a "fun fact" about the origins of the dirthole, it is irrelevant

Is it because some men or women for that matter just want to be different, ya know do things the hard way?......That is what I was thinking before but I knew that was false as well

Is it because they are fast, efficient, energy saving and require less equipment?........Nah, the answer couldn't be that simple, or could it be? Could it be that I just completely "missed it", was I concentrating on too much of what I was doing and not enough on what wiley was doing. Why was I altering his environment so much? Was I doing it for me? or for him?

Those are just my thoughts on the subject. And please let's keep the "dirtholes have their place" comments to a minimum, that is not why I wrote this, I don't want this to be another Flat set vs Dirthole thread

The more you traps predators the more you will learn that you will have many more misses with flat sets than you will with dirtholes. It's a foot guidance thing...and proper alignment...so to speak.

flat sets are good in crap weather when DHs fill with water and freeze.

good post-DILLY DILLY

I can understand that

I caught 4 fox on one flat set this year and none in the dirt hole within 10 feet. Other years I have caught in the dirt hole and not the flat set. My problem with flat sets is simply if you disturb the dirt to bed a trap but there is no hole to go along with the fresh dirt smell wouldn't that confuse the target animal? Maybe I am over thinking that part and that is why I always put in a hole...... Sure, in a week the fresh dirt smell may go away, who wants to wait a week before a set is good? These are just my thoughts and personal oppinion. Maybe I lack confidence as was said earlier. My season is coming bro an end here at least on land and I didn't get to play as much as it had planned. Next year I hope I get more time....I hope I make more time I should say.

I always have a hard time finding flat sets when I go to pull them. I blend them in so good they are hard to find later on.

I think one advantage of the flat set is that it may be effective on animals that are shy, educated, or nervous around dirtholes.

What is Dilly Dilly?..LOL

I think the flatset was developed in areas where digging a hole is not a option, there are other reasons but that's the main reason I use them.

If you're in the right spot, either will do the trick but my flat sets consist of two punch holes so maybe I'm getting the best of both worlds?

I’ve got to be honest, I have little confidence in flat sets alone. When I find a location I want to set I will typically put in a flat set but I consider it secondary to the dirt hole or hay or chaff set. I hope this thread changes my mind as the flat set IS faster to make .

The reason I always include a flat set is I feel like it is a more subtle set that will hopefully entice that second coyote. Yes I know that I don’t know which trap caught first, lol !

I have caught coyotes in flat sets. But I have had far more success with baited dirtholes.

Just my experience.

Mike

Maybe we should determine everyone’s definition of a flat set. I am pretty much self taught and as it turns out what I was calling a dirt hole was actually a cash set. I didn’t learn the dirt hole until some time much later. I would be interested in learning everyone’s definition of a flat set, just to make sure I’m on the same page .

Yep, once there is a foot or more of frost in the ground, I'm not digging any more holes. Heck, once the top 2 or three inches is frozen, I'm not digging anymore. If you live north of Kansas, you will soon learn how to make flat sets, or you will not be trapping many yotes with footholds.

Please explain a little more in depth your reference to the smell of fresh dirt.

The reason I am inquiring is my dirt holes are disturbances however the dirt that should have come out of the hole is not among the disturbance because I punch a hole vs digging a hole.

I use punch holes for my flat sets, and once I started using turds for stepping guides things got better

Come dig a dirt hole in October in this baked MS red clay and you'll see why I like flat sets, lol.

Has anyone heard the saying: dirt holes are for fox and flats sets are for coyotes...lol....I don't think that's entirely true

When I started trapping I made both. Records showed I caught far more coyotes in flat sets. I slowly fazed out the dirt holes and it hasn't hurt my catch a bit. Do I miss some in flat sets? You bet, but I missed some in dirt holes too.

Have not used a true dirt hole for years my main set is to find a backing I like (corn stalk/rock/ clump of dirt/ post then make a stake hole at the base of it then set it and blend it. The walk through sets come on the remakes, the location should tell you what the sets that will work the best rather then forcing a lesser choice out of habit.