Hey y'all,
I am very new to trapping, I have been doing some coyote sets using waxed dirt, so they don't freeze. I have been targeting coyotes; however, I have had no luck. When I go to pull the traps after a week or so I try to set the trap off with a stick on the pan and it takes an extreme effort to get the trap to fire. Then I reset it outside of the trap bed to test fire it and it goes off with very gentle pressure. I got a pan pressure measuring tool yesterday. My traps have very little pan tension, like less than a pound. So today I am going to adjust the pan pressure to 3.5 lbs. for coyotes. I am worried though that with very little pan tension so far, they take so much pressure to fire. I could use some guidance in this area. I am just curious why when in bedded in the set it takes so much pressure to fire the trap. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.
Driftless Hunter

Sounds like dirt under the pan.

It's possible you can have a pan bolt binding issue. This is caused when the pan posts aren't square which results in inconsistent pan tension.

But most likely is the first under the pan issue. Dift will compress to a point but if you have a long pan throw on the traps the pan might hit a wall before the dog releases. Using a pan for cover or underall will stop this problem end save you dirt and money

Most likely this^

Are you using pan covers or any filling under the pan to keep dirt out underneath the pan?

It’s cold and we’ve had a lot of snow and ice. Freeze thaw sucks. Don’t let the levers or jaws freeze down to the beds.
Put in a layer of waxed dirt; the the trap, and cover with waxed paper and another thin layer of waxed dirt.
May have to redo all your sets from time to time but keep them operating. If it’s hard for you to set them off redo them and be glad you did or you just waste your time checking empty traps in winter.
Jim

Thank you all for your input. I have tried pan covers and natural material under the pan. I know the Coon Creek Outdoors guy likes pipe insulation under the pan. Might try that. Thank you for all of your input.

Get a bag of poly fill and use some under your pan. A bag will last for a long time. Eric

A REAL long time, lol! It doesn’t take much at all either.

What brand of trap?

I use poly fill. I bought a $2.50 pillow at Walmart. 3 or 4 years ago and still have some.

I have Bridger and Duke

its hard to keep a trap working in the winter, with freezing and thawing , good luck,

Yes, allowing waxed sand to be pushed or bagged under the edge of the pan will prevent firing especially if you are one of those who pack inside your jaws. Secondly, many trappers scrimp and being very light-handed on using waxed sand in the trap bed. If parts of the trap are touching the dirt in the trap bed two things can and will happen. The trap will freeze to the dirt ALSO the lack of sand to envelope the trap allows water in which will aid the trap freezing down.

Using fiberfil is fine but if you’re not using your waxed sand properly it will freeze as well. I strongly suggest going back and looking at your bedding process with the waxed sand and make sure you fill the bed with enough sand that absolutely no part of the trap is even close to touching the dirt!

Sure is...keep at it

This^^

I prefer a pan cover to prevent anything from getting under the pan. I also prefer waxed sand over dirt, seems it will hold up forever, and it is heavy and packs itself, just pour over the trap and level out. You will need to blend it LIGHTLY unless it is going to snow over it, in which case the snow will provide the blending. I will stress what Seldom says though, DON'T SKIMP on the waxed sand/dirt!