I trap a lot of coal strip pits and in the old haul roads that were compacted with heavy equipment travel. Does anyone trap this type ground and cross stake with 3/8 15 inch stakes? A single 18 holds if you can get it in and wolf fangs and cable stakes are iffy getting in and often times the ground is so hard they won’t turn in the hole and set. Looking for another option that’ll work most of the time. I trap off a UTV so weight of the stakes is not a problem.

Ever consider drags?

I use drags a lot. A lot of times the entanglement is not there and I need to stake at the spot.

24" x 1/2 rebar single stake is about all I ever used for any K9 sets when the ground is frozen solid here. They don't budge. Use a longer chain so they can't jack the stake and they hold in unfrozen ground good too.

Have you tried carrying a hammer drill and pre drilling your holes maybe use a drill bit a size smaller so they are pretty tight when they are drove in.I am interested in how you bed and cover your trap in that type of ground.I have an old dummy line that run thru a place I trap . Coyotes run this area pretty regular but I have not figured out how to bed and cover in gravel.

Smooth rod might be an option.

Get a hold of some beet (potato) chain.



I stake a LOT of traps with one 24” piece of 1/2” rebar. But I also run longer chains.

If your ground is that hard. I wouldn't worry about cross staking. One 18 - 24" stake should be enough in my opinion.

Thank you for the replies. Yes, it’s hard. I’ve seen cable stakes come right back straight up out of the hole. Won’t turn at all. Those big trucks with 50 tons in them really compact the ground but ten years later the animals are running the roads.

Could use a heavier drag instead of an entanglement drag? Cinder block, log?

I have had some success with drags and extra long chains and or cables.

I use concrete drags I made for those situations. I leave them in place and reuse them. I put bait and lure underneath. You can prebait under them with mouse nest material and bird seed to get rodents using them.


I quick link the trap to the chain imbedded in the concrete. The last bobcat I caught with one this year went a little farther than I would like. I need to replace that "rock" with a heavier one:)

THIS^^

Dan, I like your idea. Looks good and cats would notice it for sure.

Never ceases to amaze me what "Fur" harvester types come up with to capture some fur. I believe many guys on here are thinking the same but are keeping their "Thanks for the Tip" to themselves. I like the idea, it fits the area, the soil type, the quarry and "system" that desert trappers can use to harvest fur efficiently. In ag country where rocks start to disappear with each rain, and cover is scarce to cause a quick "hang up" it many have a few shortcomings but it is well suited for your needs. Thanks. ................................... the mike

Dan Barnhurst
thanks for sharing. I have been planning to make some cement traps.
Nice job. Pretty darn natural looking.

Mac

I would drag in a clog with your S×S and fasten to that....Clogs get overlooked nowadays.

A clog the animal will have to exert a lot of energy to move is perfect.

Really like a clog forked on one end, with the anchor point right in the fork....Like this - Y, but with a longer trunk.

Dans idea is optimum though if you have the time to make up some of those...Great idea Dan.