Here is a question that may have been asked before, Has anyone used Johnny's Hole in the tree set ? I buy into the principle of it just wondering if anyone has any experince in its use ...

Yes I have used this set. As Johnny says it’s a woods set meant for the bush. I use it on occasions. Mainly it’s a fisher and coon set but it’s been known to take all walks of furberers. The best part about the idea is it’s quick and fast especially if you locate your trees and drill your holes ahead of time.

After watching ALL of Johnny's dvds...this set might be the quickest, most efficient set to set up. And can be used season after season. I used this type of set(s) unknowingly when I first started trapping....a dab of Hawkers Red Fox Gland lure in a tree hole, foothold out on it front, covered with loose dirt and saw dust from the tree where the carpenter ants, birds and critters were grubbing. I caught everything with it. Nothing fancy but effective.

Anyone have a pic?

You talking a set like this? Been driving by it for 3 years on the line. This year I figured I’d toss a beaver in there with a BG guarding it. Good for 3 fisher. Fox and wolf walked right by.
Don’t have a pic but here’s a vid…

The set is drill a hole in a tree and put a trap out front bed with whatever the woods lends you, then lure in the hole. Simple and fast. I would upload a pic but I really don’t know how

Just a word to the wise here , know your trees before you drill. A guy could loose his trapping rights if you drill a hole ( even a little hole ) in a market ready walnut. Just saying !

I think I would rather dig a dirt hole then drill a hole In tree. Trap placement would be far better off In front of a dirt hole.
You can use that drill with a large bit to drill the dirt hole.

Yes very true, most common tree I use is a small hemlock with hardly any value around here . Also keep in mind your rights if you are trapping state land this set is probably not legal on most state lands.

Thanks for all the replies Men , I am planning on using this in "The Green Growth " Hemlocks , Firs, Spruce ,etc. ... What appeals to me is that the hole 10-12 " off the ground can take some snow ...It would be one of 3 sets in an area of 15yds.+/- off the end of a beaver dam . The other 2 being a trash mound/cubby& Big Hole set ...

I can see an advantage with this set over a flat set or a dirt hole set. Since the scent hole is up off the ground, a canine is likely to forget all about worrying about where to put its feet.
An ole trapper told me one time about "The Balloon Set" for catching toe-pinched coyotes. Its just a typical, well blended flat set or dirt hole set with a balloon tied to a limb above it. I asked him what the balloon was for. He said, "It takes his mind off his feet."

I definitely like the idea of the set. But here's a question I was wondering: Johnny Thorpe used 2" fence staples to anchor the trap to the base of the tree. Has anyone tried that?

Far be it from me to question such an experienced trapper but I'd be concerned that some of the more powerful furbearers would be able to pull that staple out. Of course anchoring the traps can be done with your preferred method. But the weight savings of just having to use staples would be huge.

I sure have used 13/4 & 2" fence staples and they (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) sure will hold a Coyote here in Maine ...May be if you hook up a Bear there may be a problem but the is with most anchoring systems when it comes to Bear ...of course you can tie off with 1/8 in cable as an alternate choice ...I agree the simplicity and easy of making the set are very attractive to me ...

In the 80s I did a restoration job.
Guys neighbors barn burned causing
damage to his property.
I saw the invoice.
Among other things there were 4 white pines
and a hemlock that paid him 500 bucks each.
They are not just trees, someone owns them.
No turkeys or deer were harmed lol.

I wouldn't have to worry about bear where I'd be making this set. I think I might give this set a try this season. Thanks for the info!

I'd caution against using staples. Not saying it won't work but when your depending on an inch or 2 of staple to hold a coyote your margin of error is pretty small. Cabling off seems a much better option.

Hole in the tree has worked well for me on the right location.. One of my favorite flat sets is the hole in the stump...

Most kinds of sets you can modify to fit a need..

Jeckman is right on the money, two inch fence staple will hold coyotes if your concerned use two

I've caught fox and coon with the set, haven't really used it extensively.
When I took instructions from Johnny, he talked about catching a double on cats with the set, one on either side of a tree. The big advantage besides being quick, is that it's pretty weather proof under an evergreen tree. Of course you can do the same basic thing with a smear of lure and no hole and re lure more often i suppose.

Get the staples with the barbs on them.