I always try to prepare for "the problem child"...the skittish K9 that had a trap snap in its face - the old RF vixen who's sole purpose in life is to dig OR run every time she comes across fresh dirt. trappergbus hits the nail on the head saying "you'll need to find your own system"...this takes time. Example: for yrs I've been trying to come up with a good record keeping system. Pretty sure I've come up with a simple system that's fast and stays waterproof...need to finish the waterproof part. If I'm successful I'll gain priceless knowledge of my line. Same for trap bedding and set making equipment - it's ALWAYS stored away from lures and bait - I handle it with gloves...gloves never used with lure/bait - All of this stuff is stored in my woodshed, and when I'm using it is always separate from smells whether its in the truck or 4-wheeler...I have a system and I follow it...it's now natural and I don't spend a lot of time thinking about it...I just do it.

For the last 3 yrs, I have used straight waxed sand. Traps bed great and packs like a dream. I live in an area where sand is in unlimited supply. Also takes much less wax than dirt. One downfall is its heavy, but I trap off of a side by side. Store it in 35 gallon plastic trash cans away from any contaminants. I put in 5 gallon buckets for trapline.

If given the option, I would prefer waxed dirt over peat.
That said, I've used both successfully, including cedar fiber (O'Gorman's)
I like aluminum trash cans over plastic, although, plastic is far cheaper, (and absorbent) and can crack in extreme cold weather.
Bone dry pre-sifted dirt, granulated (or flake) wax and a cement mixer with a propane torch is 'my' preferred method of making a lot of product quickly and easily.
If you have the access, a 'lean to' type open(one sided) barn is preferred to store your dry dirt in.
The same style many farmers use to store loose grain with a concrete floor.
As long as you can keep the rain and snow out, it will keep and one can back a pick up truck right up to the edge to load up as needed.
Dried grass is also stored easily in that manner. I use it quite often to cover traps.

Is the cedar fiber comparable to fine pine needles? Does it absorb any water?

No, it's much finer.
It is, to my understanding, used in the 'oil industry' for compaction.
It is very dry and is used with glycol thinned with urine.
I haven't ever noticed it absorbing water, although, nothing is 100 % all the time.

Interesting, thanks.

Something to think about. Randy Smith mixes urine 50/50 with glycerine. During and after setting, he squirts a thin line of this mix into and over his sets. The urine smell has to outweigh any odor the dirt might hold. Randy’s Video: Combines and Coyotes shows his catch and it’s obvious the coyotes don’t seem to think there’s anything wrong with this approach. You may be over thinking the odor in waxed dirt thing

I don’t mean to beat a dead horse but this is my first time making it.

I sifted and dried 20 gallons yesterday only to find out that it yielded 12 gallon. Although this is something that I should’ve expected I didn’t even give it a thought. It was certainly surprising to me to say the least. I’m only going to try the 15 gallons for my first time and season. I just hope that I get it right and I also hope that I use it and don’t hoard it.

My sand is drying right now. I’m hoping that a thunderstorm doesn’t pop up while I’m gone.

Now to just get some wax.

When you make the first batch put some in a plastic cup and pour water on top to make puddle, then place that in the freezer over night. if the puddle is froze on top then you gold. If it is gone then add more wax to the next batch. I like to overwax so it holds its shape when squeezed but falls apart when touched. Make more than you think you'll need so you won't use it sparingly. All parts of the trap must be surrounded or its a mute point.

If you have anymore questions feel free to send a PM..

Thanks GBus, I’ll do just that. That’s an ingenious idea

So if you add one gallon of sand to 5 gallons of dirt; how much wax would that require approximately? This year will be my 2nd attempt at making wax dirt, and im using the solar method. Last year i scorched the wax heating it on the stove top, resulting in odor, resulting in avoidance or digging. Lesson learned. Also last year i used wax from Michaels, no Hobby Lobbys here, this year im using flake wax from a trapping supply co.
Sure need waxed dirt here if you want to keep traps functioning into freeze up and bad weather.

Start with 3/4 cup per gallon, a lot depends on your dirt type. More sand less wax. Then adjust from there.

Thanks for that trapperbgus. I noticed while beaver trapping early this year a major flood had deposited tons of beautiful sandy loam along the river bank. Thatll be where im headed.

I was thinking about just throwing a pound per gallon in, would that be a fair assessment? I’ve heard others say that. Again, I’m only making 15 gallons total which are 4 gallons of dirt and one gallon of sand each.

should be good.

Try using the oven , middle rack, set around 150* (wax melts around 130*) and stir often. A stove top will tend to get to hot on the bottom and scorch as you found out.

THEBIG1, stop up the house and I will show you a very simple bedding method with peat good year round. Just giving you an offer.

Thanks Fox, I may just do that.

just finished putting up my waxed dirt - great weather for putting up waxed dirt but boy was it hot...drank lots of Gatorade and water!! Used the solar method again this yr. and will consider the cement mixer/torch method for next yr. I must be getting old!