The approach I took was to modify my trap placement. I have always had to deal with a high population of whitetail’s that would snap my sets no matter what attractant I used so I looked for ways to naturally discourage where deer would step. Started using step down sets that mimicked a canine digging out a bait hole and began placing the trap on the downward angle slope in the trench leading to the bait hole - notably cut down the amount of deer snaps. I make the trench as narrow as possible to fit the trap (MB-450 or MB-550 is my choice) and I move the majority of the dug out dirt away from the set - that fresh dirt is as much of an attractant to deer as any lure. I auger a 2” diameter hole 15” or more in the bottom of the trench for the bait and will still use urine at the top of the trench just above the hole. Deer still come to the set but rarely step in the trench with the urine up at ground level.

I am going to try narrower and 3" deep step down.

How are you making post hole sets. Looked on line and several totally different methods.

Step down sets will cut down the amount of deer in your trap.

In my experience it also cuts down the amount of coyotes in the trap too.

What I found to work best for me is a trench 15-18” long angled down to around 10-12” at the deep end - too shallow and they will paw into the bait hole from ground level off to the side of the trench. Keep it narrow as deer don’t seem to like stepping into a trench that is only narrow enough to naturally place one of their feet.

Throw in a blank dirthole, no bait, no urine, just fresh dirt. You can add some non-smelly object that will still be interesting to coyotes but not to deer. A piece of sun bleached bone, or a few feathers down in the hole. I’ve had good luck with this to avoid deer and also rabbits at coyote sets if you are setting near a trail.
You can also make a dirthole set with no trap but load that hole up with something very smelly like rotted fish. Then put a post set nearby but don’t use urine or gland lure at the post set just a plain post sticking up and bed and blend the trap there. After they roll on that smelly set they will want to pee on something so give them an obvious post to pee on nearby. I’ve had good luck with that to avoid deer and rabbits too. Also about the most coon and possum proof set I make in my area too. When you get a coyote in the blank post it will smell like the rotted fish from the dirthole nearby with no trap. It works. Play on the canine behavior to your favor.
Both of those are straight out of Charlie Dobbins land trapping book and I’ve used them on my line when I needed to avoid deer and other non-targets. Just get more canine specific.
Even a blind set in the trail with a duck under stick over the bedded trap works OK too. No bait, no lure, and no urine.
Jim

I kinda just accept that it is going to happen and move on. Usually after 1 or 2 snaps they satisfied their curiosity and I don't have any more issues.

Blended aged flat set. About 20’ away dig a big flashy dirt hole with no trap. May help some.

Boone said it well, as usual.

LIGHTLY tainted horse or burro meat is killer and has almost zero ungulate attraction. Make sets with LIGHTLY tainted horse/burro, and then go some distance away (30-40 yards) and put your perfumey lure in the top of a bush. The hoofed critters will congregate over there and not where your set is.

Anybody here ever held a deer in a trap? I've had them snap a trap many times but I've never held one. But I don't use big traps either.

Yes I have

Deer and Rabbits!

If you find out, let me know! I probably have 50 or 60 stepped in by Deer every year

Canebrake, I held one. #3 B&L longspring. Had a (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) of a time turning it loose too.
Haven’t held one yet in a coil. I don’t run anything larger than a #2 coil now.
Jim

I've held them in wolf traps, depends on the brand of trap. front foot catch and no horns, I don't even bother with a pole, pretty easy to turn loose. Now if they have horns or were hind footed, I'd use a release pole. Unlike some animals (moose) they won't come after you when they are released.