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Wax or not to wax, that is the question! #7466049
01/19/22 04:32 PM
01/19/22 04:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 41
TX
B
BrianC. Offline OP
trapper
BrianC.  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 41
TX
Looking for some insight on everything wax. Who does wax their traps and who does not? How many feel the wax helps, how many think it hurts? Wax in cold, wax in heat, and the effects? Anyone gets diggers with wax and then caught maybe the same animals/area without wax (holding scent)?

Personally, I am becoming a big believer it's not worth the trouble.

Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7466052
01/19/22 04:34 PM
01/19/22 04:34 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Bruce T Offline
trapper
Bruce T  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Have never waxed my traps in over 60 years of trapping.Dye only.


Nevada bound
Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7466056
01/19/22 04:41 PM
01/19/22 04:41 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,975
Wisconsin
8117 Steve R Offline
trapper
8117 Steve R  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,975
Wisconsin
I dye and wax to keep the traps from rusting. I think it makes them faster too.


Steve
WTA
NRA
Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7466057
01/19/22 04:42 PM
01/19/22 04:42 PM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,820
Frazee, MN
B
backroadsarcher Offline
trapper
backroadsarcher  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,820
Frazee, MN
I haven't ever waxed my traps. The only thing waxed I use is waxed dirt.

Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: 8117 Steve R] #7466063
01/19/22 04:53 PM
01/19/22 04:53 PM
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,530
Fingerlakes New York
robert.d12 Offline
trapper
robert.d12  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,530
Fingerlakes New York
Originally Posted by 8117 Steve R
I dye and wax to keep the traps from rusting. I think it makes them faster too.


X2 for protection and speed


The beauty of the second amendment is it wont be needed until they try to take it. -Thomas Jefferson
Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7466085
01/19/22 05:17 PM
01/19/22 05:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,062
Marion Kansas
Y
Yes sir Online content
"Callie's little brother"
Yes sir  Online Content
"Callie's little brother"
Y

Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,062
Marion Kansas
I didn't wax this year for the first time. It appeared to me some years I'd have more diggers than others. Someone told me it was the used wax. I got to thinking about it and believe they may be correct. The years without much issues were years I waxed with brand new wax. Good results this year it no wax at all. Didn't really notice any more rust after using the traps either. Just dying them worked for me.

Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7466101
01/19/22 05:38 PM
01/19/22 05:38 PM
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,530
Fingerlakes New York
robert.d12 Offline
trapper
robert.d12  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,530
Fingerlakes New York
I wouldn’t be so worried about it but I use calcium chloride as an antifreeze and it is super corrosive. The wax keeps them from rusting at all until I make a catch


The beauty of the second amendment is it wont be needed until they try to take it. -Thomas Jefferson
Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7466137
01/19/22 06:10 PM
01/19/22 06:10 PM
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 87
Central Texas
C
Centex Trapper Offline
trapper
Centex Trapper  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 87
Central Texas
I decided not to wax this year. I haven’t seen any difference. I may do it next fall just because I like the way they look. It also gets me kind of pumped up for trapping.


Bridges Predator Control
Serving Central Texas
Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7466158
01/19/22 06:37 PM
01/19/22 06:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 41
TX
B
BrianC. Offline OP
trapper
BrianC.  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 41
TX
I’ve noticed a few more diggers recently and feel like it’s the wax. I know wax holds scent. I tried hard to keep the wax clean and once dipped all traps went into a container to keep away from any possible contamination.

I did have a beaver job recently that had a pair of old beaver that got me to thinking. The beaver were living in a pond on the landowner next door to where I was setting. They would come over to my clients pond and go back. I snared the male on day one but the female has been reluctant to come back. Client wants them gone. Got to thinking it would be beneficial to wax my water sets so I can leave them out as long as needed. Maybe reduce rusting and keep speed up. Thoughts?

Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7466202
01/19/22 07:17 PM
01/19/22 07:17 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,955
Northern Mn
rick olson Offline
trapper
rick olson  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,955
Northern Mn
Summer control work no wax for sure,I trapped for 44 years and have used both waxed or dyed usually up here it's wet in the fall so I have been waxing for the last 10 years prior to that just dye over all I would guess 30 years of waxed and 14 with dye.Have not noticed a difference other than more rust on traps on wetter years and a little more rust on remake traps.I think both will preserve the steel longer.

Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7466207
01/19/22 07:20 PM
01/19/22 07:20 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,420
SE SD
D
DWC Offline
trapper
DWC  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,420
SE SD
Had anyone ever done a frame by frame slow motion comparison of waxed vs unwaxed? Snapping both, theres doesnt seem to be a difference

Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7466222
01/19/22 07:29 PM
01/19/22 07:29 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,225
Midland, MI.
Seldom Offline
trapper
Seldom  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,225
Midland, MI.
Originally Posted by BrianC.
I’ve noticed a few more diggers recently and feel like it’s the wax. I know wax holds scent. I tried hard to keep the wax clean and once dipped all traps went into a container to keep away from any possible contamination.

?
If wax holds scents than it’ll hold ALL scents. When you put the trap in the ground, it should take on the scent of the ground it seems like. That is unless you’ve contaminated it with lure, bait, or urine which would be considered a “stronger” scent.


Last edited by Seldom; 01/19/22 07:35 PM.

"A few want to know WHY, the majority appear to be satisfied just knowing HOW!"
Youtube Channel- SeldomFales
Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7466394
01/19/22 09:43 PM
01/19/22 09:43 PM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 566
Iowa
trapperjdb Offline
trapper
trapperjdb  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 566
Iowa
I have been dye only for 4 years now. Use some good logwood dye crystals and you are good to go. Keg Creek has the real stuff.
https://stores.kegcreekbaits-lures.com/logwood-crystal-dye/


ITA, NRA & NTA member

Short liner and proud of it.
Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7466472
01/19/22 10:36 PM
01/19/22 10:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 41
TX
B
BrianC. Offline OP
trapper
BrianC.  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 41
TX
Seldom, that makes sense. If wax was contaminated it was due to poor handling on my part I’m sure. If there is the potential for scent holding in the wax then I was thinking of dropping it out of the equation.

Appreciate all the input so far.

Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7466473
01/19/22 10:37 PM
01/19/22 10:37 PM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,417
Idaho
B
bearcat2 Offline
trapper
bearcat2  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,417
Idaho
I generally wax all my footholds but not bodygrips. It helps protect them, I can notice a difference in speed snapping a waxed trap versus an unwaxed trap. And it helps (minorly) with traps freezing up. I do have some traps painted white for snow sets that I don't wax, would probably be all right with clear or white wax like straight parafin, but the wax I have currently has a yellow tint to it and I wanted the traps as white as possible. Also if you use your dye pot for wax, like I do, it will darken the wax.

Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7467105
01/20/22 03:26 PM
01/20/22 03:26 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,626
Flint, Michigan
bhugo Offline
trapper
bhugo  Offline
trapper

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,626
Flint, Michigan
I wax after dye. I don’t use calcium chloride anymore so the rusting is minimal comparatively. I would always wax or dip though. It’s protective and definitely speeds them up. If the trap makes a catch it’s often shined up from friction and the wax gets worn off in spots. When I use it in a remake of the set, I notice rust where the wax or dip was worn every time. I dip my water traps in paint. It’s more durable than wax or dip. I just can’t seem to get over the odor and try dipping my canine traps in paint. Minimizing rust is important, especially on springs.


Member MTPCA, FTA and NTA
Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7467566
01/20/22 10:20 PM
01/20/22 10:20 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,073
montana
R
red mt Offline
trapper
red mt  Offline
trapper
R

Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,073
montana
No wax just dye for me seem to catch stuff right along , I use wax dirt alot I see no reason for the wax on the trap.


Kenneth schoening
Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7467589
01/20/22 10:39 PM
01/20/22 10:39 PM
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 5,851
perry co.Pa
wetdog Offline
trapper
wetdog  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 5,851
perry co.Pa
When they are digging up my traps due to contaminated wax
I just mist the whole set with red fox pee
Works for me

Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7467627
01/20/22 11:28 PM
01/20/22 11:28 PM
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12,101
South Ga - Almost Florida
S
Swamp Wolf Offline
trapper
Swamp Wolf  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12,101
South Ga - Almost Florida
Dye and wax is more about protecting your $$ investment in your traps than to fool a critter's nose.

Is dye neccessary? Only for traps set exposed or visible in clearer water that need camo. I use water- based Formula One brown (OD green actually) for body grips and snares. It is the cheapest/quickest/easiest form of odorless camo you can use for traps.

Is wax neccessary? Not in arid soils and soils that are low in acid content. But, here in the humid and acidic soils of the southern US....yes. I wax all footholds, including beaver footholds once evey year....these streams and swamps are acidic too.

After some catches the wax can get rubbed off pretty good in this sandy soil. I tumble these traps in a cement mixer with blasting grit. Rinse off and re-wax....sometimes mid-season if I have several needing it.

I re-use wax for a couple of years before discarding. I keep it in a metal 5- gallon can with lid. Im careful not to scorch it during use as that will cause it to smell burnt.

Just my 2 cents.


Thank God For Your Blessings!
Never Half-Arse Anything!

Resource Protection Service

Re: Wax or not to wax, that is the question! [Re: BrianC.] #7467674
01/21/22 12:35 AM
01/21/22 12:35 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,753
Central, SD
Law Dog Offline
trapper
Law Dog  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,753
Central, SD
Dye and wax here the soil acids will rust your traps pretty quick if not protected and they come up faster just try to open a MJ with rubber boots in the snow slippery suckers they are.


Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!

Jerry Herbst
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