I'm guessing I'll get some different opinions here, but I wanted to hear your thoughts. I have access to dry dirt in a couple of old buildings. Some stray cats also use the building and do what cats do in dirt. Would this dirt still be ok for dry and waxed dirt, or would I be better off finding a better source? I am mainly wondering for my coyote and bobcat sets. I'm sure it will work some as an attractant, but is the dirt where my trap is bedded the right spot for that attractant?

I don't think cats really care. Coyotes I'd be more cautious.

For coyotes no, Especially to bed the trap. You might be okay if ya spread it out for cats. I myself wouldn't use it for waxed dirt. Sands the best for waxed dirt if you have access to enough.

Maybe find a pocket gopher mound instead.

For wax dirt no problem your sealing in any foreign odors with the wax! I use barn dirt in the winter as top dressing over peat my barns all have ground hogs. If anything I feel it will add a attraction of curiosity. Ground hogs keep the dirt worked very fine. Now I do sift over a big area not just the trap they are in the kill area before they realize it.

A old timer told me about saving cat litter. He said to make your set as usual then give the whole set a light covering of your saved cat litter. It works.

Coyotes are very attracted to cats. Can't see where it would be a hinderance to use dirt that smelled like cat....and more likely a great attractor. Lots of guys use cat urine as a change up to coyote and fox urine. Or cat turds.

Thanks guys. Normally, I would get most of my dry dirt from other sources, but we have had a ton of rain this year and I started on things late. I plan to try it at most of my cat sets and maybe some on coyote sets if I am running low on clean dirt. I was most concerned about coyotes keying in on the trap bed specifically, but I’ll plan to sift it over the whole set like some of you mentioned.

Personally I quit using dirt from barns as it seemed to be causing some issues with animals digging at the trap beds. Coyotes will be attracted to the odor of cats but I personally dont want that attraction to where my trap is.

That's why you create a large trap bed. And by doing that your not pin pointing the trap.
I use to make trap beds the same size as the trap. Then I kind of figured that's a great way to indicate exactly where the trap Is. The critter say's well look here a small spot of freshly dug dirt maybe I should do a little digging here. Or maybe I'll just avoid this small patch of dirt.

Moist of the time It's not a problem but some times It Is.

I meant large set pattern not large trap bed.

actually the smell of cat should be gone after a coating of wax is covering the dirt. if not the philosophy behind waxing a trap is ruined! after its waxed it should just be waxed dirt

This doesn't compute. Wax actually holds odors, add scent to wax and it's there forever. There is no such thing as an odorless trap, IMO, so you want it to smell like something they don't want to eat or dig at or pee on. Of course, if your trap smells like fox urine, for example, it's not a big deal as long as the smell is spread out and not just on the trap, at least that is the theory.

I agree with wax taking on odors

Lets see we make a catch there Is this huge catch circle It's loaded with critter smells urine scat and maybe some blood. Do we worry about all these odors? Does the critter come In digging all over the place. Sure some critters are circle shy but most aren't.
When I move a dirty trap to a new location I carry along some of that catch circle dirt. When I make my new set the dirty trap and and the dirt I carried along all smell the same. I don't have any problems when doing this. Now If you had a dirty trap set In a clean environment that might be a problem.

For the work involved in making waxed dirt I dont think I would be wanting to be spreading all over the set.

No, but I wouldn't want to dribble lure or bait on the trap bed. Never saw any disadvantage to spraying fox urine all over the set area, although many say it's a no no. After a catch, hopefully the lure or bait is good enough that they are focused on it rather than on the whole mess. The ones that aren't will just stand on the edge. Maybe pee and leave.

I do agree to some extent but to scent wax it needs to be a good dose of a strong smelling substance. Im simply stating wax also seals in smells. Walnut hulls stink to high heaven but after a trap is waxed the smell of walnut hulls is very minute. I do agree your never going to be 100% scent free! But come on we aren't trapping mythical creatures

Yeah, I really think the majority can be taken with a smelly, rusty trap...but there are always some skittish ones, especially later in the season.

After all the skunks I catch, it's a wonder that my wax doesn't smell like pure Pepe from re-dipping them.

those skittish ones can repopulate the area. I like to think im putting a dent in the local population. But im not naïve enough to think I can catch every last one.I still firmly believe dig outs are poor trap bedding and coons. more so then contaminated equipment. If yotes were that scared of foreign odors they would never be abel to move! With all the human activety in the woods during the winter