Hey I just got done making a dirthole set (practice) I don't even stake down or anything but I was taking pics as I progressed. Let me know if it would catch a fox coyote or bobcat

I dint use bait or any urine like that and ain't working about location just practicing making a set.

How it looked before I started:

Here's the trap bed:

Here's the trap in the bed. (Does it matter that the bed is bigger than the trap? Or does it need really tight?)

Here's the trap bedded with no wiggle.

Here's the trap with dirt sifted over than I found the pan and packing down dirt even tighter to make sure no wobble was here:

Here's the dirt sifted over and blended.

Here's the dirt hole. It would be 10x more deep in real set.


Here's the distance from pan to hole:




Here's the finished set



I did forget to put guiding sticks or rocks. I only put two sticks/rocks just incase a shy coyote.

Thanks

Give me any tips

That set looks good. Put a big rock or log or something behind the hole to get the fox at the front of it where the trap is.

And make sure you’re not packing dirt under the pan. A fox will step on that trap and won’t even set it off if there’s too much dirt underneath it.

find a rock or a log for backing. I'll start the discussion . You got the jaws turned wrong for me. I want the animal stepping between the jaws NOT OVER. Over raises the foot up some before jaws close. It worked for Stanley hawbaker so I started doing it in 1977......


Wait a few tons will tell you why i'm wrong.

Looks good

For testing lure and bait make the same set without the trap and use a stick to make a circle where the pan will be
You will learn from that where you're trap needs to be located in relation to the attractors
Videoing yourself making a set will let you critique yourself from a different angle

Looks pretty good to me. Practice again, this time use the stake. You need to bury/hide/blend the anchoring system also.

And digging a smaller trap bed will save time when it comes to bedding and packing. Less dirt you have to put back in and pack. Ideally, the bed should let the trap just slide down in.

You need more protection from dirt under the pan . I use polyfil just past the outside edge of pan. A pan cap is a very helpful tool.

I'm a water trapper. When I make a pocket set, which is a dirt hole set, I have the jaws set in the opposite direction as you have shown. That way the firing of the trap can't throw the foot out of the trap which could result in a toe catch, but catches the animal higher on the foot for a more secure catch. I've really never did much land trapping. So, maybe it doesn't matter the way you have the trap positioned.

I use undercover for the pan it's like foam

You can make a pan cap from a soup can. Just cut a notch for the dog

That'll catch 'em..

So the jaws only lift the foot up if it’s stepped on from the front?

Either the fox is stepping over the front of the jaw or the side. A guiding stick laying just in front of the jaw will help prevent them from stepping on the jaw.

Also a foxes paw is small enough that they rarely trip the pan and have their paw lifted out by the jaw. A wolf on the other hand can have that happen more.

I cover the pan so rocks don't stop the action. I use coffee filters you can buy alot in the dollar stors.

I know in todays world it's all about you tube videos. But get yourself a copy of Trapping North American furbearers by Stanley Hawbaker. First gets you off the phone. Second tons of info and a basis to start.

Agree with Trapper 7. Also a guide stick, sticks outside the jaws.

Way I have done it. TONS of info when I started why to turn the jaws that way. Sure tons to have it other way. Trapper 7 said he sets like me. . You and Bucks n bra first cousins?

What's the best way for the trap to be in the bed?

Like I had it or like side ways.

What u mean is this: I bedded like this: ---------- should I bed like this? / or |

You'll catch more than you'll want to skin by doing it exactly like your pics show.

Looks good and glad to see you doing something to improve your trapping skills. One thing not mentioned yet, is in the 4th pic down, some of those dirt clods are bigger than I'd like to have in the trap bed. True, usually dirt clods when caught between the jaws would just crumble, but I've actually had dirt clods caught in the corners of the jaws prevent the jaws from closing all the way. And with clods as big as some of those you could even have a small stone inside one and not know it. Probably not a big deal overall, just one thing I noticed that would bug me if it was my own set, lol. Everything else looks great.

Blending a trap in to bare dirt is relatively easy. Next you should try blending them into different areas... woods, grassy field, sod, etc.

You did a good job. You can also my them a bit more messy like these pics.