I’m going to try and set up a few log crossings sets this year with foot holds. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions on how they set there traps on a log. I saw one video where the guy cuts a notch in the log then uses moss to bed the trap. Just wondering if anyone has any other suggestions on how to do this.

A foothold on each side of the big dead fall log will connect with a wolf, but not on top of it. Guessing you ain't targeting K9 though?

forget about the log just make some flat sets or dirt hole sets at the approach to the log. Or if your targeting coon just put In a few DPs.

Or if there Is a trail leading to that log and if you can use snares just hang some snares in that trail.

Gang setting will get you more fur.

I would avoid setting traps with light pan tension at the ends of the log or on the log itself for you are more then likely going to end up with many none targets using that log such as squirrels, rabbits, birds etc.

Set footholds on either end of the log crossing, a snare in the middle of there's a way to support it

I do, ON TOP of the crossing logs! I make lot's of crossing log sets in Alaska for wolves and coyotes. My friend spots them from the airplane and tells me where they are. I ride a sno-go close and hike down the frozen creeks to the find the logs. If the creek is open from a spring, I walk in the water to hide my tracks from people (rare) and wolves. There are usually 3-4 along a mile of creek. This is only what I do up here. I am not telling you how to do it in your area.

I use MB750's and Alaska #9's with 15 foot of chain (mix of #5 and #7 on the drag end). I use really big blacksmith made drags. I started by trying to trap the wolves that are using them first. I caught coyotes by mistake with the wolves. They use cottonwood mostly, as long as it's big across the diameter and spans the creek. There is usually about 2-3 foot of snow on the logs. They always have tracks on them in the snow before my season even opens. They use it as soon as the creeks are frozen. I don't make sets on the ends of the logs on land. I only make sets in the wolves foot prints in the snow on the logs. I drop one in #2 track as soon as they are on the log. I put in 3-4 on a log. I always put one in track #2 on each end of the log, but I make sure they are about 3-6 foot out on the log before I drop a trap in the foot print. I go down one side of the log, drags on that side, then I set traps on the other side of the log, in the odd footprint like #3, #5, etc. Whichever print does not have a trap in it already from the other side of the log. I like the snow to be about a foot deep at least. 2 feet of snow is okay, more than that and they don't work well. They slip, fall, and knock the traps off since they are all over the log trying to stay on top without falling down onto the frozen creek. Keeps them in the tracks after they get onto the logs. Young or small wolves will mill around at the ends too, not using the log at all. I want them committed not educated. They are not afraid of the crossing logs. They even use them in the summer so they don't have to get wet in the creek. Muddy prints on the logs.

I don't set at the ends for specific reasons. The wolves will come from slightly different angles and trails, some following the next wolf, some by themselves. Some jump onto the logs, some jump off the logs before it reaches the land. No real perfect spot as they all enter and exit from about a 6 foot area. I don't block them. I like blind sets for wolves. I use nothing but wax paper to hide the trap. No scents, no flags, nothing but blind traps. I didn't want them to stop using the logs, so I just trap on the log itself. They have not figured it out yet. They jump off the log and get hung up within about 30-50 yards depending on terrain. This is along a major river, that has a lot of open water springs along it. All the animals use the open water along the river all winter. The wolves are using the logs to get back across the creek and over to the main river, which is their highway or freeway. I don't use snares on the logs because they can see them. I trap wolves BLIND. I believe it is the best way for me. I have a lot of SOLO wolves, old, smart, alone, know all the scents and have met all the trappers around me. They are extremely wary. Always on guard. Packs are usually about 5-9 wolves at most. Lots of singles. I do run snares, but that is another story and not around the crossing logs.

There is another trick they have taught me. How to jump from trail to tree in very deep snow to get out of the river or to the river. What ....? They come off the main river, run up the bank, hit the deep snow (4+ foot deep) and jump off the trail and land on the edge of a Spruce tree, right where the tree enters the earth. Less snow, good foothold, wolves been doing this for over 20 years on my line. Right where the river get's pinched down to the open water. They leave because of the open water, have to go around it, up the bank, through the trees and back to the river. They use the same two trees every year. Just lay 2 Alaska #9's there, side by side, with about a inch of snow over the trap, jaws touching the base of the tree. They will land right on the traps, jumping about 10-15 foot to get out there too. So they hit the trap with full power, all their weight on it. I set two on each tree, one solid and one on a drag. I only set the few trees they do this on, at the same spot each year. They are hunting moose and rabbits in there. They did it one year about 4 times. I started setting them the following year and it worked!

I use the spring creek open areas to drop in Alaska #9's similar to a South East Tide Water Set. I just drop about 4 Alaskan #9's in the pools, two on each side. I set from in the water, in waders, yes in Alaska during the winter. I just position the traps about a foot from the bank, under water from about 6 inches to about 2 foot deep, right where they will enter or exit the spring pool. Most pools are about 10-20 foot across, up to about 3 foot deep at most. Most of the pools are 1-2 foot deep, perfect. The tracks in the snow show them using them, so I set them all up blind first. Thats why I use blind sets with big footholds on crossing logs for wolves in Alaska. Coyotes use them all day everyday up here, right after the wolves put in a good track across the log, coyotes follow in their tracks. Good luck, hope this helps you catch them.

Should have mentioned that I’m targeting fox, coyote, bobcat and fisher. Last season I found so much sign on log crossings that I really need to be setting these. Thanks for all the help

Super Wide. That is one of the best posts I've read in a while. Thank you

x2

Super Wide, thanks for the tips! I haven’t found any logs they walk along here but you gave me some ideas with the springs that are open. The wolves around here have seen it all too. They don’t even like snowmobile tracks. My lucks been within 100yds from a small bait pile (a beaver or 2 about a week before I think they’ll be by) or straight up blind sets.

Thanks Turtledale and Shakeyjake, you guys are welcome. It works for me, but not sure if it will work down there. Hopefully something I mentioned will help Butch2828 catch more critters.


Shakey, they run my snowmobile tracks in some areas for 20 miles straight. Other areas, the wolves jump across the snowmobile tracks like they are full of acid or something bad. They are scared of them. I believe they saw something they didn't like. In example a Alph wolf getting caught in a trail set. That would do it. The spring pools sets are fantastic sets. One of my all time favorites. I used a trail cam to gather evidence, who, what, when, how long, etc. I found moose, wolf, wolverine, coyote, fox, lynx and tons of small critters drinking from them all winter. I saw where a lot of the animals were walking around in the pools. I had a whole wolf pack that drinks in one of them all the time. My problem was the dog mushers watering their dogs in the same pools. The game cams gave me a lot of info. I had no idea that I had 5 bull Moose drinking from the same spot all winter and about 20 cow moose. Next pic was a pack of wolves, then something else a few hours later, then more and more animals in the same pool. That camera info. gave me a lot of ideas when I had nothing to go on. I tried a stick with lure on it just barely above the water, about 1 inch sticking up 6 foot from the bank. Wolverine went right into the water. Wolves ran for their lives. I don't use lure anymore. The day I saw wolf tracks underwater on the bottom of the creek, I knew I was on to something. I fill every spring hole on my line now with traps. I thought they wouldn't get their feet wet in the deep winter. I was wrong, they party naked in the hot tubs all winter long!

The crossing log sets. I forgot to mention that I just hang the chain off the side of the logs. I then use my bino's to see if one of the chains is missing, so I don't have to go too close. The creek below has snow on top, so it hides the giant drag well. You can only see the chains hanging off the logs. I thought that would blow the whole set. They don't see the chains because they are on top of the log and trying not to fall off. I usually just use the bino's most of the time. I don't hook up the drags into the roots anymore. I had a coyote just make a hole underneath the log in the bank and was camping out under the log. Glad the wolves didn't find her. If I make a flat set or trail set, I slide a small stick into the links of my chain, stab that stick into the snow. If my stick is missing, I need to go check my traps. If my stick is still there, I just ride on by. Bino's work great for this. I cannot hide tracks in the snow so I use bino's instead. Hope this helps someone.

More great info Super Wide! And with the pool sets, the MB750s should work good, no snow or ice to power through. I’ll keep my eye out for big logs also.
OP was saying he’s targeting fox & stuff….much more apt to follow a log around here too. Good thread!

Pa. late season creek bottom
land sets freeze often
and can be difficult.
Good tips above, read those again.
Wood chisel for fine tuning.
Dry fine leaf litter.
Long chain to metal drag to clog,
OR, where's he going after catch.
Stiffer than normal pan trigger tension.