So what's everyone doing when it comes to setting the the classic pipe dream set and making their own variations ? What have you tried ? What have ya learned ?

I use a couple of ideas from this. 10” of sch40 1/2” pvc. It’s raccoon proof. They can’t get bait out of a 1/2” pipe.

I do not have many set ops in my area for this style of set but when I find a spot to set it, more than not I catch in it. I do modify the bedding I will bed by sifting and packing in the trap with dirt, once it is solid then I will come back over with grass clippings.

I’ve used it just as diagramed. Don’t think any variations would be called the Pipe Dream Set, unless just adding a pipe makes one think it’s the set. In my opinion, the actual bedding of the trap is what makes it a waterproof dream set, not the pipe.
I guess if you bed the “normal” way and used a pipe bit would just be an above ground dirt hole set.

Otto Puskas from Quebec invented a great weatherproof trap bedding method about 25 years ago.


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One could argue that = James Mast had the first = version of pipe dream set in 30-40. Was a blacken small cow horn buried. I think next. As far as published was around 60’s. Wiley Carrol used a bamboo pipe in front of a grass clumb. I use a version. BUT in front of the attraction. And I like to drive it down flush. Or a inch or so below grown level. Bait with fish oil and muskrat meat. BUT this year. Want work good. Just to many ants. Make set an 12 hrs latter. They will even cover bamboo bait sticks here

I've learned to quit messin' with perfection. . .that's what I've learned !

I see these guys on YouTube making ( their version ) of Zagger's Pipe Dream Set and I get sick watching them butcher it.
Most are half -assed trappers trying to steal a great idea and make it there own and we all know in this industry, that is fairly common.

Why not just make it the way it was intended ?
Or don't call it a Pipe Dream, because honestly, most times, it's more of a nightmare.

And, to the last 'Poster' , who brought out that
similar things have been tried and used.

Dried bamboo stalks was mentioned, which yes, works well.
O'Gorman showed how to take a 1.5 inch wide slat , about 6 inches long, and drill a hole in the top.
You then drove it into the ground, leaving an inch above it, filling lure into the hole.
Empty shotgun shells, yep, I've done that too . . .

But, Zagger showed his version, which is a top-notch set, and I for one, will respect him enough to
NOT get on the 'air waves' and butcher it, so somebody will watch me and hit the 'like button'.

He deserves more than that !

I say we stop making 'our versions' and give credit where credit is due !

I don't want anyone I trap near to even hear about that set !

I can honestly say = I didnt know Mark Zagger had a = Pipe Dream Set till a few years ago. I read = Wiley Carrols book in the late 80s early 90’s Thats my version. And it works well for me. Bamboo was free back when I was younger. Only reason I use a pipe now. Is because i can cut up hundreds of them at a time. Put them in a 5 gallon bucket. And go from job to job. Ever set has been copied OR is a basic = reinventing of the wheel. But I agree. The old ways are being lost. Lots of good sets out their. That are = time consuming to make but are killers sets. BUT todays trappers want everything =‘NOW

Why is it every time the pipe dream is brought up we have to go though this " no no no who really made it was ..." Thing ? Seriously every post dealing with this set.

You know mark did some podcasts in this and he talked about how people where using the idea in different ways. Guys out west shoving pipes in rock crevices and the like. I swear I listen to mark talk about it it's never a huge hoopla. When you talk to the man it's the same. (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) happily just explain and other things. He also said he didn't 100% come up with it. I mean if the man him self said this why does it always trunk into a wizzing match ?

Fun fun fun!

Gosh, where do I start?

Yes, when I wrote the article introducing what I call the "Pipe Dream Set" I said it was an combination of several ideas, all put together, to come up with what I think is a "weather-resistant" option for land trappers.

Obviously, generations of trappers have used bones, hollow sticks, dowels wrapped with wool/fur, for canines.....and, most certainly, the M-44/Getter Guns have killed zillions of coyotes with the "bite and pull" concept......

I often joke that I wished I had left the word PIPE out of the set, since that's what everyone focuses on.........

That said, I WILL say that I'd never seen anyone pound plastic pipe in the ground as a lure/bait holder FOR COYOTES prior to this.........for sure, raccoons, but NOT canines.

Then, once I wrote the article, I've seen a few people come out and say they've done that for years, or knew guys that did, etc.

It would be both naive AND arrogant to think that NO ONE ever did the same thing before me.......but for sure, I think we can say it was NOT a common thing in trapping circles.

The bedding method, deep bed, hammer bedding, steel screen, grass covering all work IN CONCERT with the pipe to make what I CALL my PIPE DREAM SET. All those components are just as important as the pipe.

Yes, I see the variations and adaptations and changes...........mostly involving the pipe itself vs. the other components........i don't get a huge amount of heartburn over it except for one thing:

Guys trying to change it BEFORE trying it they way I presented it! LOL

In the end, generations of trappers (me included) probably had it in their mind that a coyote would NOT work a plastic pipe and/or be terrified of it and run for the hills......

I think me, and it seems, many many others have certainly dispelled those thoughts and now deploy these with regularity and confidence.

People who DON'T trap in tons of rain or snow probably don't see the value and I've heard people say its "unnecessary or a gimmick set"........so be it, to each there own.

BUT BUT BUT, I've seen several guys who THOUGHT it just that, a gimmick......BUT then it finally rained monsoons in their areas and they deployed the set with success.........

I guess you don't buy a snow shovel unless you have snow.....so I can certainly understand why people in milder-weather areas might not see the need until their hands are forced......

Thanks LT Grey for the kind words........I truly appreciate it.......and Wolfdog, I appreciate the clarity you add to the mix. In the end, regardless of who thinks whomever "invented" what, I've been somewhat successful in attaching my name to this set and approach to coyote trapping.......without patents or trademarks or DNA tests applying, I guess I can live with that!

Zagman

When you have to replace pipes because they actually chew it up, you know its working. When you pull a set and forget the pipe for some reason, then the manager finds it in the quail woods while hunting and it looks like it’s been a chew toy, you know it works. And to top it off, it was 300 yards away from any set and 3 months since I’d last trapped that property.
I figure if I place 2-3 sets at each location and one is a pipe dream set, then I KNOW for a fact, no matter how much rain we get, I’ll at least have one working, covered set.

Oh come on Mark, admit it, you were too cheap to buy DPs so u used pvc and footholds instead and when u started accidentally catching coyotes u named it the pipe dream set and went public.

I was leery about using a plastic pipe on a coyote set, and as Mark alluded to in his post I was not alone! Then I tried the set exactly as designed my him(I thought) with the exception that I was using Bridger #2s and very quickly started catching fur with it. After watching one of his demos at our state convention I realized I was using too much grass cover and also not hammering the pipe in as far as he does. I now use less grass and hammer it in more and it still is the set that catches the most K9s for me although now I primarily use NoBS Jrs as the trap. Also now bed most all of my sets using his deep hole/hammer bedding technique. Only real adaptation to the set I use is if in a wooded area I may use a light layer of finely chopped leaves instead of grass for the cover and my backing may be a small bush, stump etc.

I have some pipes that are barely recognizable any more.....in fairness, non-targets chew on them too!

The pipe is a wonderful way to "protect your stink" and get it above ground.......I find that to be a huge advantage with monsoons and flooded hole sets and when we get 3-6 inches of snow......if you put something in the pipe they like the taste of and want MORE of, they will spend a lot of time there trying to get to the center of the Tootsie-Pop (just dated myself there!). If your trap is operative, awful hard NOT to catch them.....

Yup, in the woods, I adapt the same way: no grass in the woods, just dry local leaf litter.......AND one more thing: in the woods I usually DON'T have to dig the deep bed like I do in a hayfield......the reason? The trees in the woods and their vast network of roots around my bed do a GREAT job of sucking up extra moisture. I just don't get the flooded beds and such in the woods like I do out in the open......

I was thinking about writing an update to the article....not because the components of the set have changed, but rather to highlight different applications, unique experiences/stories I've had with the set, along with anecdotes from other trappers and their successes (and failures/challenges) with the set.......

I'll be at the NTA next week if anyone wants to swing by and talk about laying pipe! LOL

MZ

I'd love to see you update the article. I use your set as described and have had a lot of success with it. Everyone should try it just the way your article describes and they'd be better off.

I hope everyone was paying attention, the bedding method is the dream, the pipe is just a lure holder. I think the bedding method is the best thing that’s come around in the 32 years I’ve been coyote trapping. I’ve learned to use a version of it on every set I make accept one. I use the pipe when I can hide it well enough that it kinda blends in , it’s a bait holder , not an attraction in my thinking anyway.
If I haven’t said it before , thanks for sharing Mark !