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Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps and snow #7383001
10/19/21 06:33 PM
10/19/21 06:33 PM
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 10
MISSOURI
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TrapperD123 Offline OP
trapper
TrapperD123  Offline OP
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 10
MISSOURI
What's everyone's favorite way to set a freeze proof set? And what set do you use the most in cold temps?


This is what I've been trying I'm using dirt holes i dig trap bed like normal i use peat moss under the trap.Then I placed the trap inside of a ziploc bag that's exactly the same size of the trap Place trap in trap bed and cover with waxed dirt. Bedding the trap can be tricky but I bed it as best as I can then then sprinkle snow back over the set not enough to crust just enough to cover.

Last edited by TrapperD123; 10/19/21 06:50 PM.
Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: TrapperD123] #7383017
10/19/21 06:45 PM
10/19/21 06:45 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat Offline
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bctomcat  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
Snares.


The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.






Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: bctomcat] #7383054
10/19/21 07:19 PM
10/19/21 07:19 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 180
Pennsylvania
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patrapper1989 Offline
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patrapper1989  Offline
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Posts: 180
Pennsylvania
Simplify things and just use dry peat. Waxed dirt is great but its expensive, time consuming to make and heavy if youre walking much. Oh and it doesnt bed a trap well just like peat. Just seems overcomplicated in my opinion. Use them ziplocs for sammiches!

Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: patrapper1989] #7383064
10/19/21 07:28 PM
10/19/21 07:28 PM
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 10
MISSOURI
T
TrapperD123 Offline OP
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TrapperD123  Offline OP
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 10
MISSOURI
The only reason I use the ziploc is because I have freezing and thawing conditions It could be -5° one day and 40° in just a few days. I always seem to have problems with moisture and traps getting froze down. Should I not sprinkle snow back over my set?

Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: TrapperD123] #7383084
10/19/21 07:57 PM
10/19/21 07:57 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,225
Midland, MI.
Seldom Offline
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Seldom  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,225
Midland, MI.
Originally Posted by TrapperD123
The only reason I use the ziploc is because I have freezing and thawing conditions It could be -5° one day and 40° in just a few days. I always seem to have problems with moisture and traps getting froze down. Should I not sprinkle snow back over my set?

Patrapper is giving you some good advice D123. Remember a couple of things, peat allows moisture to run through it without absorbing whereas waxed dirt or sand allows the moisture to run off. When you say your traps are freezing down with peat tells me water is getting around or underneath your waxed dirt covering. With the peat underneath you are not giving the water a place to go except to fill your trap bed and cause your trap to freeze to the bottom of the bed. Using cable stakes will help with the draining of the water because of the driver hole in the bottom of the bed allows the water to drain away from the bed and peat.

In MI I absolutely love to trap in the snow and I do usually have plenty of weather changes from rain & snow to contend with but I’ve found it’s better to go with the flow and use the KISS principle rather than fight the adverse conditions.


"A few want to know WHY, the majority appear to be satisfied just knowing HOW!"
Youtube Channel- SeldomFales
Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: Seldom] #7383138
10/19/21 08:50 PM
10/19/21 08:50 PM
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 10
MISSOURI
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TrapperD123 Offline OP
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TrapperD123  Offline OP
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 10
MISSOURI
Thanks alot guys for the info I'll be giving that a try! Like i said still new to this late winter trapping.

Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: TrapperD123] #7383155
10/19/21 09:07 PM
10/19/21 09:07 PM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,820
Frazee, MN
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backroadsarcher Offline
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Posts: 4,820
Frazee, MN
I am usually using snares by then. But if there isn't much snow I have my dirt holes still working. Dig your trap beds before freeze up and your holes. I use waxed dirt and others are right it is hard to bed traps but can be done.

Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: TrapperD123] #7383176
10/19/21 09:22 PM
10/19/21 09:22 PM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,312
Firth, Nebraska
jabNE Offline
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jabNE  Offline
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Posts: 8,312
Firth, Nebraska
Waxed dirt or sand, and waxed traps here. Best defense against moisture and freezing ive found that keeps them operation to zero.
Hack out beds and dig dirtholes any where you possibly think you might need a set. Much easier to do this before freezr up than trying to hack one out in rock solid frozen ground. I do carry an old railroad pick and that cuts a decent trap bed in frozen dirt.
Ive tried just about every dry material around. Peat, dry dirt, coal shale, grass clippings dried,, dry bean chaff, you name it. Eventually they all fail with a frost or freeze thaw when temps go well south of freezing here then warm back up by day. Waxed dirt or waxed sand hands down is by far best thing ive used in 40+ years at it. I go heavy on the wax too. I love winter trapping but I always put up a generous supply like 50 or more gallons of waxed dirt or sand...its a real lifesaver on the winter coyote line.
Jim

Last edited by jabNE; 10/19/21 09:26 PM.

Money cannot buy you happiness, but it can buy you a trapping license and that's pretty close.
Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: TrapperD123] #7383185
10/19/21 09:28 PM
10/19/21 09:28 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 551
Iron Range, Minnesota
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Ringbill5196 Offline
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Ringbill5196  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 551
Iron Range, Minnesota
Buy Stan Forsythes video Footholds in the Snow

Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: TrapperD123] #7383365
10/20/21 05:03 AM
10/20/21 05:03 AM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 570
Communist State Of New York
Archeryguy Offline
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Archeryguy  Offline
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Posts: 570
Communist State Of New York
I run a very short trapline. I dig or pound out the the bed for the trap, put the trap in and sprinkle salt over the trap. Then pound the sides of the bed in toward the trap until its rock solid and sprinkle more salt over it. Cover with peat. By watching the forecast and living in the lake effect area of Western NY, I allow natural snow to cover the whole thing. Cold dry snow up to 6' and the set continues to work. All traps when pulled get's the salt washed off then hung in a dry building until treated again with wax. Not perfect but has as a rule been its been working for me since I started trapping in the 1970's. Nothing about winter trapping is easy but I love it.
The first photo was taken on a morning that was approaching 20 below zero but the traps worked flawlessly

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Last edited by Archeryguy; 10/20/21 05:09 AM.
Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: TrapperD123] #7383425
10/20/21 07:30 AM
10/20/21 07:30 AM
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 271
MN
K
K9BeavCoon Offline
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K9BeavCoon  Offline
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Posts: 271
MN
Tried peat, didn’t work for me. Waxed dirt works though. I’ve also kept sets running by bedding my traps with the Zagger method and waxed dirt. My theory is the big bowl under the trap helps close those jaws that might be frozen to soil. I used my waxed dirt to fill any gap in my trap bed and cover my screens with that or clippings depending on the set. Snares are easier and much more efficient. But it is a lot of fun running footholds in the snow.

Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: TrapperD123] #7383443
10/20/21 07:50 AM
10/20/21 07:50 AM
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,162
N.E. Nebr
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LDW Offline
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LDW  Offline
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N.E. Nebr
Use waxed sand instead of dirt. The sand beds great and packs good. It is heavy if you have to carry. A rotary hammer drill with a chisel bit is a life saver in frozen ground. No frozen chips flying, really stings on a cold face. Put the snow in your sifter and sift standing up, so it just dusts the set. Waxed sand is about as good as it gets

Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: LDW] #7383621
10/20/21 10:58 AM
10/20/21 10:58 AM
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 10
MISSOURI
T
TrapperD123 Offline OP
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TrapperD123  Offline OP
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 10
MISSOURI
Thanks for all of the advice! I plan to make some wax dirt or sand and use pete moss.

Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: TrapperD123] #7383737
10/20/21 01:13 PM
10/20/21 01:13 PM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,312
Firth, Nebraska
jabNE Offline
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jabNE  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,312
Firth, Nebraska
Also...if ground is frozen rock solid sometimes its all you can do to get the trap bedded and anchor drove in. You can skip the dirthole and get creative with bait sets.
Around here in bean fields I just kick the chaff into a pile and put bait under it and bed trap on bait side.
In corn fields I can bed the trap near a couple stalks and bend the stalk over to point at the trap. Take a knife and scoop out that soft spongy core material from end of the stalk and put bait or lure in that end pointing at the trap.
Can also put bait under a log, or stack a couple cow pies up and bait in between or under bottom one.
I do like rebar better in hard frozen ground. A big hammer and you can drive it right in but also when pulling it comes out way easier than earth anchors from the rock hard frozen ground. I cross stake with two rebsr stakes in case a thaw comes will still hold well.
Late season and extreme cold i do have good luck with bait and a good loud call lure, also some coyote or fox pee. Both work well on coyotes.
Also...once everything freezes solid here there seems to be new travel ways for coyotes. Little weedy or brushy creeks where water is frozen solid become highways and the snow on them is all pock marked with coyote and fox tracks. Hack out some coyote pocket sets along the edges and scatter the loose dirt right out across the ice in front of the holes. Has a ton of eye appeal. Some bait and bedded trap and this is a killer late season set for me. Like a coon pocket on steroids and frozen conditions.
Jim

Last edited by jabNE; 10/20/21 01:21 PM.

Money cannot buy you happiness, but it can buy you a trapping license and that's pretty close.
Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: TrapperD123] #7385976
10/23/21 04:09 AM
10/23/21 04:09 AM
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,672
Ohio
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Willy Firewood Offline
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,672
Ohio
For that time of year, I prefer using a call, a decoy, and a rifle.

Whatever you set, drill a pilot hole for the stake. Your wrists, elbows, and shoulders will ache much less.


FRAC LIVES MATTER
Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: TrapperD123] #7386158
10/23/21 10:05 AM
10/23/21 10:05 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,445
Southern Michigan
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trappergbus Offline
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trappergbus  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2012
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Southern Michigan
Toss the peat, use waxed sand and flat sets. No low spot over the pan for water to set and freeze. In fact I make it higher than the surrounding ground level. Blend with a dust of snow then let the weather do the rest. Snow is one reason we developed the Alpha #3. I get good pad catches with up to 6 inches of snow covering the trap. Winter snow conditions is when good urine really shines in conjunction with other sets at the same location. North facing locations that have shade so the snow stays powder are golden. South facing stay in dirt as long as possible. Just sweep them off with a broom after snow accumulates.
Snow trapping is an art in itself, if it stays cold you can bed and cover with just snow. Cheap thin bags work well. But a waxed trap with polly under the pan does too.. Seldom has a real good blind set vid on his U tube, all ya need is a track... Its a killer .

Last edited by trappergbus; 10/23/21 10:21 AM.

Common sense catches alot of fur..
Pay homage to all you harvest..
Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: trappergbus] #7386164
10/23/21 10:16 AM
10/23/21 10:16 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,225
Midland, MI.
Seldom Offline
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Seldom  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,225
Midland, MI.
Originally Posted by trappergbus
Toss the peat, use waxed sand and flat sets. No low spot over the pan for water to set and freeze. In fact I make it higher than the surrounding ground level. Blend with a dust of snow then let the weather do the rest. Snow is one reason we developed the Alpha #3. I get good pad catches with up to 6 inches of snow covering the trap. Winter snow conditions is when good urine really shines in conjunction with other sets at the same location. North facing locations that have shade so the snow stays powder are golden. South facing stay in dirt as long as possible. Just sweep them off with a broom after snow accumulates.
Snow trapping is an art in itself, if it stays cold you can bed and cover with just snow. Cheap thin bags work well. But a waxed trap with polly under the pan does too.. Seldom has a real good blind set vid on his U tube, all ya need is a track... Its a killer .

X2


"A few want to know WHY, the majority appear to be satisfied just knowing HOW!"
Youtube Channel- SeldomFales
Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: TrapperD123] #7386185
10/23/21 10:47 AM
10/23/21 10:47 AM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 512
NE
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plainstrapping25 Offline
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Posts: 512
NE
I did some of this last season. Deeper snow trapping. And loved it. U don't have of experience in trapping. But I learned that if you think outside of box. And experiment. It can pay off in a very big way. My snow sets were very productive for me. Caught a variety of pelts from skunk to coon to fox to coyote. I use to hate seeing big snows and it shut down my line. Now I can't wait for them. Outside the box thinking developed the pipe set. And look how productive that became. Thats the joy in trapping. So many options, methods, etc.

Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: TrapperD123] #7386186
10/23/21 10:47 AM
10/23/21 10:47 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,445
Southern Michigan
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trappergbus Offline
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Southern Michigan
I'm so glad your back Seldom my friend. Your knowledge is priceless, make um think!

Last edited by trappergbus; 10/23/21 10:48 AM.

Common sense catches alot of fur..
Pay homage to all you harvest..
Re: Trapping coyotes in below 0 temps [Re: trappergbus] #7386206
10/23/21 11:21 AM
10/23/21 11:21 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,225
Midland, MI.
Seldom Offline
trapper
Seldom  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,225
Midland, MI.
Originally Posted by trappergbus
I'm so glad your back Seldom my friend. Your knowledge is priceless, make um think!

You're very, very welcome Gary!
From what I'm hearing through the fur buyer grapevine about MI coyotes, instead of setting 11/1 like normal, I'm setting 12/1. I've been talking about it for the past several years and this looks like a good year for me to make the change. I'm hoping for good snow for sure!

Last edited by Seldom; 10/23/21 11:25 AM.

"A few want to know WHY, the majority appear to be satisfied just knowing HOW!"
Youtube Channel- SeldomFales
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