I am new this year to trapping. I have posted before, but my question is about snow and dirt hole/pipe sets. We are supposed to get 6"+ of snow Tuesday night and I don't want to stop trapping coyotes. I have been using waxed dirt from the start of the season and I just re-baited and re-lured on Sunday. Do you guys and gals just keep them out or do you pull them? Thanks for the help

I leave mine out as long as it nice fluffy snow . We got about a foot of snow last year that crusted over on top and I ended up having to break paths to the traps with my 4 wheeler and then took a garden rake and opened up the trap beds. I would rake out about a 8 foot area I didn't want it looking like a catch circle. My thinking was that I hoping they would be a little more comfortable entering a bigger open area. This is a pipe dream set I put in last year the coyotes were able to walk on top of the snow because of the crust. I busted out this area by this log and got this mangy dog about 4 days later. I hope these pictures give a little better idea of what I was doing.




J

Sweep it off or shovel it off,i make it 3' to 10' free of snow around the set.

You may want to mark your sets before the snow so you can find them.

A metal detector comes in real handy.

So does your foot.

I've been walking on my heels trying to fire a couple I know are there...somewhere, but I can't find them. Two different sets and I know I'm within ten feet or so of both of them. I guess I should have used more guiding.

I pull sets that may be difficult to get to with deep snow, otherwise I leave them. When I make a set, I use a 20' string to measure between the trap and a marker. When I want to locate the trap, I put one end of the string on the marker stick and extend it out to where I think the trap is like you would a compass. Things change alot with a few inches of snow and this is an inexpensive way to locate your set.

Leave em


These sets were made pre snow. They will work still.
This set was made pre snow then melt and it was raining the day she was caught. Have confidence in your sets it helps.

Can you trap coyotes through a couple inches of snow? Yes. It's usually pretty successful.

Should you try to run coyote footholds through a forecasted 7"-9" with 40 mph wind gusts, forecasted snow everyday between Tuesday and Sunday, and an estimated 3" or more inches this weekend? No...in my opinion. You might as well plan on remaking everyday IF you can get to and find your sets. Sure, forecasts are usually hyped up. But just think of the times they are right or underestimate the snow totals. Start up a line again when the weather stabilizes.

I have spent too much of my life walking to sets and dragging a rake around hoping to hear metal click. That turns an hour trapline into an 8 hour mess.

I made another post trying to be helpful but gave up on it. I would highly suggest taking advice from MN trappers when it comes to weather related topics.

If the forecast is for a lot of snow with high winds, I pull traps. Under those conditions I won't be able to get to them. Need to invest in a snowmobile. I have used a leafblower with good results moving up to a foot of fluffy snow. Blow off a large area so they will feel more comfortable coming in.

Thanks for all the help. I am going to pull all of the bad spots today that aren't sheltered or easy to get at. I will only have 12 sets out instead of 26. Kinda bummed that it is happening this early. I had just gotten #4 on Friday and I think I am getting the hang of it. Snow will be nice to see how they are actually reacting to my sets and to see where they are traveling. I am planning on snaring also.

Snow makes for a very humbling experience. Coyotes investigate sets more than you realize. We are predicted to get 10in of snow with 45 mph winds. Was going to start setting yesterday since deer season is over, but I'm going to see what comes out of this. Sure hope I'm not done for the year already.

I pulled most of my line yesterday, and glad i did. We got 15” of snow and 45 mph winds. Still have a few that i left, but i drive tractor with blade by them every day to feed cows.

1991 Mn trappers will remember the Halloween snow storm. 3 days later we had 21/2ft of snow on the ground. I had a line from Litchfield Mn to Littlefalls Mn. All land sets for fox. Culverts for coons. I debated to set with the snow coming down. What a moment. The fox trapping was great. If your willing to work you will be rewarded. The 220s should of stayed in the truck. Metal detectors on hwy 10 to littlefalls plainly sucked. Up to my neck in snow with a snow shovel digging 220s out. Thank goodness I had a partner that yr.to enjoy that line. I have pictures where the snow off the fence line was as high on the hood of the truck. I was 28 then. Lots of energy. Now in mid 50s. NO WAY. Lol. Keep them sets in during the storm. Checked everyday. You will see and learn a lot about storms and predators.

We had about eight inches of snow overnight. To get to the area where I trap, I have to follow the back side of a field and the wind really drifts and banks the snow there. My wheeler tracks had drifted over in places in under an hour between the times I passed through. Nothing in my sets and I didn't really expect there to be. Not much moved except for grouse and a fox or two. I dusted off the sets that needed it and moved on. Maybe tomorrow. My forlorn looking cabin.

So long as the dirt at your set was dry before the freeze they will continue to work. Like the others said you’ll have to clear away some snow but you’ll start learning over time where to set so that the snow blows off your sets instead of drifting over them. Don’t quit now, take those sets you pulled and put them back in somewhere more accessible, the coyotes are just getting really heavy now, the next two months is when all the top dollar coyotes are caught

Lots of good advice has been given. If you to keep on trapping and can access your set locations, good. Just plan on giving the old snow shovel a workout and clear areas like others mentioned. If you have not sort of lined up you sets with some object I think you may want to find a way to mark them before the snow. Even a small sapling driving in following some point on the compass is a help. Pace it off etc.
I have done a lot of shoveling trying to find sets. This year has been the worst weather I have seen a long time on the line. Even two inch snow blends in a flat set pretty darn nice, nice enough it is hard to pin point. Shovel, shovel, shovel. No raking around that storm, actually two like that, when the top inch is crusted from he follow up freezing rain. Got to love it.

Do not get discouraged. If you keep on trapping in the snow you will get a good education and see a lot of animal movement if they are around. Priceless education, but sort of flusters a man at times. LOL

best time to be out and learn follow the tracks, see the changes that the fur bearers make when it snows. If nothing else you will learn valuable information for years to come. Also the snow keeps coyotes and fox pelts from rubbing in brush and grass. Big baits and bait piles are like magic.