Hello, I’m new to the forum. I have been trapping all my life, mainly water sets. The last few years I started using dog-proof traps targeting nest raiders. I was curious what would have dug around the stake in the attached pic. As you can see the trap was not disturbed and I couldn’t see any clear tracks around it. Thanks.

Maybe your stake was contaminated with a lure or bait smell. Possibly a skunk. Its hard to say.

Skunks love digging like that around here

Some thief trying to steal your trap without any tools to hand.

If its a thief they are not very strong, just pull the stake unless the ground is froze.

Too me it is weird. All that digging and moving around that stake and the DP trap is not sprung, tipped over or anything. Not even worked on etc. Also was that you that was packing down some of the dug up dirt around the stake or is that what it looked like when you arrived. To me with that much digging all around the stake the trap and trap chain would have been moved etc. Don't see any distinct animal tracks or claw marks either.

Bryce

I appreciate all the comments. I don’t think it was a potential thief because the stake pulled up very easily with that much dirt removed. I am also was baffled how the trap and chain were not disturbed. The trap also still had bait in it. I took the pic before stepping close to the trap. The soil in that area is somewhat sandy and was damp at that time. I think that is why it looks packed. I do have a few skunks in the area.

accidentally drive your stake into a yellow jacket nest and a skunk/raccoon came by?

Had a raccoon get into one of my snares for nutria a couple of weeks ago. He did the same thing all around the cable of my super stake anchor. No chance that one had been in there and got free?

I'd be more intrested in knowing what smell u got on that stake. I'm guessing coyote, fox or skunk to dig like that.