Here is northern IL I use waxed dirt to keep my traps from freezing. If I pack dirt that isn't waxed around the outside of the jaws will the jaws freeze open? I am having a hard time getting the trap solid with my waxed dirt. Thanks.

Dig your trap bed to fit trap and your problem will lessen. Wiggle the trap to seat it in the waxed dirt and that is about all you can do.

When I’m having trouble getting a trap bedded I’ll take pebbles and stuff them under the jaws and frame till it gets where I want it. To answer your question, it may freeze your jaws down. I don’t use waxed dirt. I use calcium chloride as antifreeze, it works great. I just use the dirt that’s there and give a sprinkling of antifreeze and good to go.

Next year, try waxed sand. It packs super good and takes much less wax. Just sift a very, very light layer of your native dirt over the sand. Easy peasy.

Thanks for the replies. Waxed sand is in the future after I get the 100 gallons of dirt used up.

I’m planning on packing some wooden golf tees along to pin traps solid that want to be a problem. I know guys use nails but that makes me nervous

You can buy wooden dowels pretty cheap and cut them to size. Golf tees would be a little short, i would think. You could also notch the dowel to help "hold" the trap down.

After I sift with waxed dirt I find the trap frame and jaws, wiggle the trap down in to it, then sift some more, find the jaws, push with my knuckles down hard as I can in on the jaws and lever area without firing the trap and sift some more. They just never seem to get real rock solid in waxed dirt.

Add more wax to the next batch so its packable. If any part of the trap is touching the native soil it will freeze to the trap. 4 coiling helps negate that. Surround the trap with waxed dirt to get the full benefit. Bedding the trap deeper helps too. Seems I have the best waxed dirt with a mix of sand and natural soil, 3 gallons of sand to 2 gallons of natural soil. Tap around the outside of the bed with your hammer after the trap is in place can help in some soil types and sod. A bit of subtle guiding works too.

..as in Jim Cudiffs' Power Bedding book!.........im bout to sell my copy at 1/2 price since improving my technique.

I assumed they would be fine...I buy them that are 3 1/4" long for actual golfing. I think that is same length as a 16d nail. Will find out this year, I guess.

Kevin give me a call , I think we are dealing with similar soil conditions. For sure it sounds like the same waxed dirt.

I sent you a PM