I dont mean to hijack the thread, but I'm in a similar situation and would like some input. I think its relevant to the OP. This is my first year trapping.
I live on 22 acres. I have 2 dirtholes and 2 flat sets out. One dirthole and one flat set each at 2 locations. The dirtholes have been out since around 12/20. I added the flat sets around the first of January.
Dirthole #1 produced 1 coon on 12/22. Nothing since. We got a little snow about a week ago and I saw Fox tracks approach the hole but did not work it. Besides that there has been no activity at this set. I know this location is spot on. I keep a game camera here year round and have seen plenty of coyotes and Fox using this logging road. The flat set 20ft away on the logging trail has produced nothing. Both sets are directly on the logging trail.
Dirthole #2 is probably 75 yards down the logging road next to a lake. This location has a lot of predator activity, but due to it holding a lot of water I couldn't set on the logging road. I had to pull off the logging road probably 15 feet, between the road and the lake. I know predators work the logging road and the edge of the lake. I've got coyotes, bobcats, coon, and even mink on camera within 15 feet of this set, but nothing has worked it. I added a flat set closer to the road but nothing has worked it either.
- Should I try a different bait/lure? If I do, should I try to remove the old? I'm assuming if they aren't interested in it now, it shouldn't matter if its still there when the new is added? I really tried to not over do it with the lure...could I just need more of the original?
- For location #2, should I try to get more on location? I have a spot in mind, but should I be concerned with too many dirtholes too close to each other? Again, I'm assuming if they aren't interested in the original set now, it shouldn't matter if its still there when a new one is added? I dont want to keep adding sets and make the area hot.
- Or should I just wait it out? I read a lot of guys pull after 2 weeks of not catching, and I'm way past that on the dirtholes. If I didn't have animals on camera in these locations it would be easier to pull, but I know they are there.
Thanks