I was thinking about making up a batch of sun-heated waxed dirt as its finally getting hot outside. However, I recently heard a couple wolf trappers say they quit using wax dirt because they feel that wolves smell the wax and they had a lot more sets dug up when they were using it. They'd rather have a trap bed get frozen and not educate a wolf versus having a working trap that gets dug up. Anybody else find this to be the case with canines?

Nope

I can only speak on Eastern coyotes. However, I know if you overheat the dirt & wax and it gets scorched your in trouble with odor. The key temp to melt and get a good blend with the wax is about 136-139 degrees. I only use an flaked trap wax and have not had any issues.

Sometimes I wonder see if it matters when u store them in totes. I noticed that plastic smell in them really heavy when in open lid off. Couple that with the wax and that's why I try not to store it inn totes.

I used it last year for the first time and love it. In our constant freeze thaw cycles it's worth it's weight in gold. I make mine in a roasting pan over low heat and keep stirring. I store it in 5 gallon buckets that were full of the dry dirt, so the bucket smells like dirt and not plastic. Coons and skunks do most of the digging at sets, k9's either commit or leave.

Wax smells, at least mine does. I put mine in a large container under a lean to where it can air out for months before season. I spray coyote urine on it then mix it up once or twice a week. When I make a set I blend the dirt and maybe spray a little more urine around to blend the smells and nock down my scent .

Those wolfers had other problems.
Of course the canine smells the wax, I can (before it's ever heated so not scorch smell).
The thing is the canine don't know that it is wax and unless it's contaminated wax don't smell like food or sex-it smells a lot like wax- so it has no special interest to them. I suspect the wild canine can smell the burrito you ate last week in the breath droplets that collect around the set while you are there just breathing, but, if you give them something else to be more interested in they will be. Bait or lure needs to hold more interest than anything else near the set.

This.

Waxed traps have been catching fur for centuries.

If the wax isn't scorched then it's not the wax that caused the avoidance..... TJM is spot on! The yotes full focus needs to be on the attraction. Do you blend the waxed dirt slightly match the surroundings? It doesn't take much..

Wax collects odors. Maybe it collected something interesting to a wolf.

I heard that too at the rondy and have to disagree with intentionally letting stuff freeze in. I'd rather have the trap bedded in waxed dirt and catch the wolf!!!

I take a lot of care with the dirt making and storage though and have never had a wolf dig up a trap, although I have had foxes dig up my wolf gear, right after getting it set. Generally I think the scent dissipates and it shouldn't be an issue, especially when talking about the length of time gear will probably be in the ground before a wolf shows up and all the fall rains we get.

The solar method of making WD is great. If it's going to be hot/dry for extended periods I just leave it on the tarp for a week or so. Learned the hard way to wrap it up at night or it attracts every barn cat for miles to the giant litterbox - and even then I haven't had issues. I store all my dirt in washed out metal trash cans in a shed, so there isn't really any chance for scent contamination. Making sure the dirt is absolutely bone dry before waxing is important too. Again, I leave the dirt sit for days in the hot sun and stir it over and over to make sure there's zero moisture. Not sure if that helps with the scent, but it'll prevent mold.

Personally I think the risk of using WD is far outweigh by the benefits of having a functioning trap.

I am not a wolf trapper but with the uncertain weather we get in November-December, in Wisconsin and I am trying to catch coyotes, if I miss one because of wax dirt, I probably caught 2 more because my trap fired properly.

Zim

Waxed traps have been catching fur for centuries.


Centuries?

You beat me to it,Mac

Anyone try natural soy wax? Sold as candle making product

Waxed traps and waxed dirt ROCK!!!
Jim

yes i've used soy wax with no problems honestly I don't think its the smell versus the difference in texture kind of like walking from grass to concrete.. My solution was keep my traps and bed small. For yotes no wolves in misery!

Lol , I must of had to much coffee, I was thinking years then thinking of the 1830's fur boom. Which brings up the question when exactly did trappers begin waxing traps ?

"Lol , I must of had to much coffee, I was thinking years then thinking of the 1830's fur boom. Which brings up the question when exactly did trappers begin waxing traps ?"

Have studied trapping and the history for a while. I remember reading in one coyote book that Garold Weiland helped with that discussed how some old timers used salted baits and noticed that the ground was not frozen under the baits and some started using salt or salt type products for anti freeze.

Not sure about the first person to use or come up with the idea of using waxed soil. Do remember that back in the early very early 1970s that Oscar Cronk started selling a freeze proof method. The methods was by Gordon McGown (spelling) of Maine. It was a waxed soil method. Do not remember hearing anyone else talk or write about it but many may have used the method and kept quiet. In the old days people held a lot close to the vest and were not so quick to give away information. Back in those days guys trapped for money not for pictures on social media to show their pals. Different breed of trapper. Also pretty sure I remember reading Garold Weiland's second fox book in which he described his anti freeze method. Seems like he mentioned that he knew about wax soil but it was not his preferred method. People started actually selling waxed soil, seems like in the 80s.

Would like to hear from others when they learned of waxing soil.

Mac

McGowen advertised his waxed dirt method in the early 80's. I was a bit skeptical at first but it sure worked. Bought all the canning wax for a 20 mile radius then when flake wax came on the scene around the early 90s I was all in.. Weilend used calcium chloride so I tried that too. It always left a wet spot and it rusted traps bad after catches. Never really liked it and noticed some avoidance so back to waxed dirt. The waxed traps take on the odor of the soil it's bedded in pretty quick. Most of the time if an animal digs at the trap bed the trap moved or the loose soil makes them think that's where the food is. Fresh dug dirt means food to wild canines......


ALL the freezproof methods have their weak points but for here in Lake effect country the best is waxed dirt. Traps go snap unless an ice storm hits then nothing works..


Jabne is spot on waxed traps and waxed dirt Rock..