I've been trapping coyotes along a small creek that has froze over. I noticed now they are traveling mainly down the middle of the creek as there is less snow there. Id like to hang some cable restraints, but wondering the best way to go about staking them on the ice. With some of the heavy snow we have had the trees and brush are overhanging the creek and there are some great pinch points they have been following and would be easy to hide a cable. Only thing i can think of is to just pound rebar into the ice, but worried that with only a couple of inches of ice that a fighting coyote may possibly be able to break it free. Any good way to go about this?

Cable extension and attach to a tree.

Not legal in WI. That would create entanglement.

Cut small hole in ice drop a cable with a large washer on the end, like a pogo anchor it will refreeze and hold the snare staked could also stick in support limb to hide your support cable etc

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But be careful of warming temps this week. The ice won't refreeze fast enough with temps in the mid 30s

A piece of rebar, pipe, etc, dropped through a small hole could serve as a toggle type anchor. A longer piece would spread the pulling load out over the area.
Again though, with the temps warming, you'd have to keep an eye on them.
On the creeks I am on right now, there's only about two inches of frost in the ground along the banks, because of the grass and snow insulating it. Have you tried just pounding in a stake?

Dang, I didn't know that. That can't be a fun rule to follow.

Sometimes you just gotta not set a trap.

I would see where the tracks go and find a spot where I could hang a snare from a tree. I like hanging snares on the bushline.

I’m not a fan of ice, and definitely not a fan of only 2” of ice.

Look for a tree laying across the creek, one that they are going under
If you don't have one you can make one if property owner allows it
Anchor to the underside of the downed tree, you can even attach your wire support to the tree
Just make sure that they can't get entangled on things nearby

Here’s what it looks like. I just pounded rebar straight through and it felt solid. I got some adjusting to do but I think I’ll give this a try

If those tree branches are froze into the ice, I'd clip them off at ice level. A warden might consider that possible entanglement.

Other than that, good luck.

Probably not a bad idea. I believe to be considered entanglement is anything over 1” diameter. I’ll have to double check

Find an area where the creek bends or makes an S configuration. Many times coyotes (and cats) will take a shortcut to walk a straight line. Set snares on the crossover trail. Very effective.

I believe the entanglement diameter is 1/2 inch.

I’ve made some toggles out of some 3/16 threaded rod before. Attached them to the end of a cable by drilling a hole thru the rod and crimping a stop on the end of the cable ran thru. I just pounded a rebar stake thru the ice and then drop the toggle down. On 2 inches of good ice it should hold just about anything.

I haven't anchored many traps this way. I have anchored many ice saftey lines using this method.
If you cut a hole whether done with a spud or electric drill with large bit. You can drop just about anything attached to a cable. That is long enough to bridge the hole. You create using the ice much the same as using a hollow wall toggle. I dont have pictures of the anchor I used. Some how ever were strong enough one thick ice. That we used them to anchor winches to pull submerged vehicles.

Personally my go to for the situation you describe. Would be to use my half inch cordless hammer drill. Pop in a1 inch hole with a long auger bit. Instead of the pogo washer type anchor. Think more along the line of the bullet type cable anchors. If the ice is thick and edges on the bullet stake sharp enough. Even if you can't drill all the way threw the ice. Shove that anchor to the bottom of you hole. Give it a quick jerk. You may find you that as solid as if was just frozen in ground.


Hope this gives you some ideas.

Mac

You must have posted this while I was typing mine seem on same page of thinking.
Ive used length of 2X4 with chain wrapped in middle. Shoved down 6 inch ice auger hole. Just have to think about the mechanics of it. How much pull has to hold.

Mac

I’ve been anchoring my snares in hard frost or ice with a 4-6” lag screw. Torx head of course

Wish we had snares in NY. Fox and yotes run the frozen marshes and swamps like crazy

I like this idea