Good Morning everyone,

After a few weeks I think I am getting a grasp on this site and it is very helpful! Just ordered some DP's and 550's for my first traps. Plan on going to Cabalas today to buy some odds and ends that should get me pretty close to starting my trap line. Very excited.

One thing that I couldn't seem to find is advice on trapping in the cold. Do I have to worry about 550's freezing and locking up, along with Dog proofs? I watched a youtube video where the guy threw what almost looked like salt or some sort of anti freezing powder under his trap. Also read that wax dirt will help against freezing.

Just wondering if DP's/Footholds freeze or if theres any precautions I can take to prevent footholds from locking up/freezing in below freezing temperatures.

Thanks in advance
Dalton

Hey Dalton, welcome to the form. There is a lot of information in the archives. Take some time to scroll through it, then if you still have questions ask away!

Definitely, get some cheap livestock salt to drop in the hole for your DP's. Nothing worse than having one froze in with a coon in it. I always drove in a pilot hole with a stake, dump some salt in, then push in the DP. For footholds, waxed dirt is the best, but dry dirt works if you don't have alot of freeze-thaw conditions. Dry peat moss is good, also. Super cold, consistant, weather and you can sift snow over your traps. Waxing your traps will help immensely.

Welcome aboard

Cable restraints are less effected by freeze/thaw conditions. Winter trapping is definitely more of a challenge then soft ground and water trapping. I like to ream out the stake hole for my DPs so they are kinda wobbly. I make waxed sand which works find but my main frozen ground issue is digging/pounding out a proper bed. The archives cover alot of good techniques.

Waxed dirt works good if it stays cold. This year with snow, melting temps and freezing rain doesn't help. If I have decent amount of snow I go to snares here. I do keep a few food holds running. I use DPs before freeze up for coon. Body grippers work for many different sets. Pick what you want to trap and start there. Oh welcome aboard!!

In the right mixtures wax dirt works in the freeze thaw contains quit well