Re: Why did my wax dirt fail?
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#7718778
11/16/22 06:04 AM
11/16/22 06:04 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,851 Pa
Wright Brothers
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,851
Pa
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Did you insulate the bottom and sides of the bed with WD? Think drainage. Being where you came from, I thought you would ace the new to you terrain.
If not enough wax, you might test that with WD in bag and water in the freezer. THE wax amount can be adjusted with the microwave. For troubleshooting.
Edit. I see the freezer was mentioned, we think alike.
Last edited by Wright Brothers; 11/16/22 06:06 AM.
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Re: Why did my wax dirt fail?
[Re: Wright Brothers]
#7719077
11/16/22 01:15 PM
11/16/22 01:15 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,942 Idaho Falls, ID
Grandpa Trapper
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,942
Idaho Falls, ID
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Did you insulate the bottom and sides of the bed with WD? Think drainage. Being where you came from, I thought you would ace the new to you terrain.
If not enough wax, you might test that with WD in bag and water in the freezer. THE wax amount can be adjusted with the microwave. For troubleshooting.
Edit. I see the freezer was mentioned, we think alike. Actually, when I lived in PA I never used wax dirt. I used salt, propylene glycol, ant hill dirt, etc. Started to use wax dirt when I moved out here. I thought I made it right but apparently still have some things to learn.
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Re: Why did my wax dirt fail?
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#7719151
11/16/22 02:39 PM
11/16/22 02:39 PM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 548 wisconsin
Muskratwalt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 548
wisconsin
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I would guess that you aren't using enough wax dirt in the bottom of your trap bed. The only time I have ever had traps freezing in with wax dirt was when I did not use any on the bottom and just covered the Trap itself. Now I use a lot more wax dirt in the Trap bed then I used to it is well worth it. I live in Central Wisconsin and usually don't trap coyotes until later in the fall and without wax dirt in good amounts at the set I would be out of luck.
Walt legge
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Re: Why did my wax dirt fail?
[Re: ttzt]
#7719206
11/16/22 03:53 PM
11/16/22 03:53 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,942 Idaho Falls, ID
Grandpa Trapper
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,942
Idaho Falls, ID
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Sounds I have had that happen when I used almost, but not quite enough wax. Water will bead up for a while, but over time will seep into the dirt. Now when I test I put some of the dirt in a small container and make a bowl shape in the dirt, fill it with water and put it in the freezer. I want to be able to lift out a chunk of ice with no dirt attached. This picture also shows why I don't want a low spot in my trap pattern when using waxed dirt, I actually want it to be a little high over the trap so melting snow runs off. Sounds like step down dirt hole sets are not a good idea when you have to depend on wax dirt to do it’s job. Do you have refusals when you have your pan set higher?
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Re: Why did my wax dirt fail?
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#7720160
11/17/22 04:33 PM
11/17/22 04:33 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,851 Pa
Wright Brothers
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,851
Pa
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I think all those demos and articles about the pan being the lowest spot hurt more trappers than it helped. Where does the water go that is going to freeze. Fair weather fox trapping maybe. Coyotes I think not. Ever notice tracks all around except the low spot? I have. Drainage man, drainage. The very best tip for freeze thaw, go South lol. Go get em Grandpa, we know you can. Cat prime time yet?
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Re: Why did my wax dirt fail?
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#7720397
11/17/22 08:41 PM
11/17/22 08:41 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,398 SD
Boone Liane
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,398
SD
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Sounds I have had that happen when I used almost, but not quite enough wax. Water will bead up for a while, but over time will seep into the dirt. Now when I test I put some of the dirt in a small container and make a bowl shape in the dirt, fill it with water and put it in the freezer. I want to be able to lift out a chunk of ice with no dirt attached. This picture also shows why I don't want a low spot in my trap pattern when using waxed dirt, I actually want it to be a little high over the trap so melting snow runs off. Sounds like step down dirt hole sets are not a good idea when you have to depend on wax dirt to do it’s job. Do you have refusals when you have your pan set higher? Step downs are never a great choice in any real weather. Collects water, snow, etc.
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Re: Why did my wax dirt fail?
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#7720704
11/18/22 08:32 AM
11/18/22 08:32 AM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,353 Firth, Nebraska
jabNE
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,353
Firth, Nebraska
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Yep agree step down or low trap beds are just little swimming pools waiting to be filled up with rain, melted snow, you name it. If the moisture can’t drain. The waxed dirt isn’t what failed it’s the moisture freezing that’s held in that low dish trap bed and can’t get away that freezes. You can try to add more wax when you make it next time too, always adjust to find the blend that works for you most of the time. But often the bed is an issue. Put waxed dirt i a small bowl and put it outside in the sun in winter. Eventually snow melt or light rain will freeze in that bowl because it can’t get away. Dirt may be water proofed but it becomes surrounded by moisture and that freezes like a rock sticking the dirt together with it. Either make a drain channel if you have a lot of moisture or put a low flattened top mound of soil up next to your dirt hole and bed the trap on the top of that low mound. You can set on a low hillside too, with moisture draining away from the set. I’ve had good luck too just scooping things out and resetting after a moisture spell. Waxed dirt below, waxed paper over the trap, and a little waxed dirt sifted over the trap. I don’t put any dirt from the set itself over it to blend it it. That will just crust over and freeze and defeat my efforts. Jim
Last edited by jabNE; 11/18/22 08:35 AM.
Money cannot buy you happiness, but it can buy you a trapping license and that's pretty close.
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