I trap a property I trap that has a “bridge” over a small creek. The bridge is a telephone pole and it is intended for wildlife use. I’ve always noticed a lot of muddy tracks going across it and know that it is used by coyotes, bobcats, and coons. In the past, I’ve made sets around this crossing and taken several predators. I’ve been thinking about how to blind set this crossing to pick up anything that I miss in the standard sets. Due to roots and a lack of pinch points for accessing the bridge I don’t think I could make sets off the sides of it without blocking heavily. Even then, I’m not sure I would be able to get the trap underground. I have also considered long springs on the pole itself, but blocking heavily would be required for that as well (I would think) and I wouldn’t be able to notch this pole either. Anybody have something similar they deal with or ideas for blind setting this spot? Snares are not legal here

Can you post a pic of area ?

Might bring in dirt before season thinking summertime, build up the dirt to near the top of the "bridge" and install some stakes for blocking. Wouldn't help this season but might be good for many years. Just an idea

I realize this probably isn’t extremely helpful, but it’s the best I’ve got until I go to set at the beginning of the year. This is how the scenario lays out. The creek flows to the east in this diagram and flows into a swamp. The swamp is bordered by a highway which is about 150 yards from this crossing. This crossing is the only route for an animal paralleling the highway to take short of going around to a pond dam 350 yards away. Not sure if any of this is applicable information, but there it is.

You can also see that the pole extends a few feet past dry ground. They do/can exit the pole as soon as it turns to dirt and they also go off at the very end. It’s pretty thick on both sides where the trees are drawn. I considered cutting some saplings and blocking off everything besides one path once they come off the log. I didn’t want to do too much that would deter coyotes from using this crossing though just to pick up a cat or two

Could you hang snares right on the log itself?

3 nails and a bodygrip,crank the springs up and thread a spruce branch thru the spring eyes and over the trap and down each side.
You could make several sets like this on the log,like the old style over/under marten set.
I wouldnt set snares you wouldnt want live animals hanging/struggling from a pole-not humane at all and a black eye to trapping if noticed by the general public.
Snares would be fine at the ends or approaches.

I have set crossing logs like that with a snare jackpot in cover right at the approach at one end.Good set for cats.
If its a wide open area your sets will be limited.

Snare, hands down best imo on a crossing log!

Couple of them even.

In his initial post the op stated snares are not legal where he traps.

Check the current GA trapping regulations. In the past, snares have been legal for beaver, only, and within 10 feet of water. Not sure about catch restraints. Maybe SwampWolf will see this post and add a response.

Chainsaw out a couple trap beds on said log bridge..

In that case, blind set the entrance/exit of the crossing even if you have to block it down some.

Depending on the target animal using the log, I would set a well camouflaged foothold at each end of the pole.

Yes, no snares. Conibears are legal if 280 or smaller so I may try that route on the crossing although I would prefer to foothold in case a domestic happens to cross. Not my property so can’t notch the log. I did consider putting a long spring on the crossing, then brush for a couple feet, then another long spring to try to get them either on the plant or landing. I felt that it probably wouldn’t work for coyotes, but maybe cats. I’m not sure how much brushing/blocking either on the pole or on the ends, if any, would cause a coyote to ditch this crossing and take a 150 yard detour.

I wouldn't use any brushing or blocking. But, set a little to one side of the pole. Good luck.

Why set the pole at all? Three sets leading up to the pole on one side as well as three on the other. Based on your drawing there would have to be a trail of some sort or if only a pole for animals to cross I wouldn’t think it would be that wide leading to the pole. If your not wanting to divert/spook anything that would be the best bet. Set each side of the trail for different winds and do the same on the opposite side.

WB, I always set traditional sets on the side closest to the food plot. I’ve never set the other side because I don’t like testing my balance going across the pole. I pick up some predators in those sets, but also see where I’ve missed others or they cross without working what’s there. I was looking for a way to blind set them in this scenario to pick up any additional animals that may or may not work my sets. The ground right up where the pole stops at either side is hard to make a set due to cypress knees. The exit trail opportunities on either end of the pole are between 10-15 feet wide with several routes branching off from the end of the pole. I could narrow the exit trail by laying saplings or brush across, or I could find a way to set the pole itself. I guess I am mostly looking for high odds foothold blind sets and experience with how much brushing I can use to make these blind sets without causing animals to avoid the crossing

I’ll bless you with more of my pretty artwork. The dotted line represents the path of travel leading to the log that I’ve seen in the past. I have never been able to determine a most likely path of travel up to or off of the log thus far

If I was an animal crossing and the first guy in line gets his neck snapped or slips off the side in a foothold I ain’t crossing there again, lol. Just keep them backed off so even if all traps are filled others can cross and you get them next time. I can tell you this, if I knew deer wasn’t using that crossing I’d have 6 different sets back aways from that pole and leave when there were no more tracks crossing it.

Have you placed a trail camera at the pole?

Do you cross on the pole?