So the other day I was busting out trap beds with my trusty sod busting hammer. And after a few I thought there has to be a better way. I was going to build myself a cookie cutter trap bed maker. But then I thought why carry around more weight. So I was down to the hardware store and saw these chisels that were used to cut bricks. All kinds of sizes so I got the 4" size.
Today I gave It a try and I liked It. Drive It in and then lever It to the side then move and drive again ect ect until you have the bed formed. For the most part you can just lift out the dirt plug. It gives you perfect vertical walls to your trap bed and with a bit of practice you can make the perfect trap bed.
Should work good when you have that few inches of frost In the ground. Give one a try and let me know what you think. Cost Is around $10.00.

Been using one for 2 yrs. I wasnt too smart I built and carried a stupid heavy cookie cutter for one yr previous.

Do they have round ones for the good traps?

Good idea.

?????

Good idea, Beav.
I use a tile spade. I stand while cutting a bed, then remove dirt plug.

That is the kindest way for the body. And fast too.

Hey Mac, In my case- old body old knees

mine is actually an electricians chisel.i think i'll get in my toolbox for the flagstone quarry and see what others are in there.i
these are what we use in the flag quarries to split broken and cut stone.

Tile spade is great until the ground freezes

You still have to get down on your knees to bed the trap and drive the stake. But the tile spade would help one to get back up. LOL

I had to resort to chiseling trap beds in Kansas for a few years. The ground was physically frozen like a slab of black ice. Those were some of the most difficult seasons I have had setting out a line. Slow progress and it really limited where and how many sets you would put out. You learned to pick only the best locations and let the secondary locations go.

Had to go to a local farm store to buy chisels and safety glasses. I broke 2 trappers sledge digging hammers that one winter in particular. I always carry at least 3 so wasn't sure what I was going to do if I broke that last one.

I found the narrow blade chisels to work better for me. The larger blade didn't cut in as fast and took more hits to break the ice at least in the Kansas gumbo it did.

I had to resort to a 1 1/2'' wood chisel for the same thing. Once I got a trap in the bed though it did great. A slick can work well and it keeps you up off the ground a little further.

The Beav tried something different??? SILVER ALERT!!!!

must not a knew everything after all.

But I do now.

For the round traps get a piece of steel tube, sized for your traps, and cut down the middle. Or use flat steel and hammer it around your leg. lol