Gang,

I finished up 300 cable stakes since I posted my pilot hole question and have done a bit of experimentation in the side yard. Wow, what a difference that pilot hole makes on the effort required to drive the cable stakes. I just used my hand driver and was extremely happy. Thanks for all the suggestions. I made up 200 1/8" wolf fangs and I have to say, I truly hate 1/8" cable and a set of hand cutters lol. But i have a very slim chance of a wolf on the northern end of the area I'm setting and I want to prepared in case I do. The 550 will be the weak link there anyways.

I've been focused on getting equipment ready for fall and have all my 550's cable staked, cleaned, inspected and ready to dip. I've built 275 snares and 200 cable extensions. I won't use nearly all those snares this season, but I kind of got into the moment lol. Still going to build another 100 dispatch spring models before I'm done, but pressure is off. Oil is changed in the buggy, all my camping gear is organized and ready.

All I need to do is assemble and test out the diesel heater I bought (no filling the wood stove at night!!)buy some lure and cut pan covers, make waxed sand and then other than loading my equipment I'm ready to go to Idaho this fall. I've had a great time getting ready and planning this years trip. No deer hunting, heading out at the end of deer season and hoping to hit a good weather and moon stretch to get started.

ready for trapping season!!

Man you have been busy! Good work Larry!
Are you connecting your 550s with a j-hook to the cable stake?
Let us know....
I like using a quick link that I hand tighten.

Detailed preparation = high odds of success!

Half the fun of most outdoor activities is preparation and the thought of anticipation. The man who plans ahead usually gets ahead.

Mike, I'm running a J hook on all my cable staked 550"s direct into the swivel 1/8" cable. I'm trapping 100 % public ground so I want to make it as hard as possible to steal if someone finds the set or catch. If i was on private I'd absolutely use a quick link as I could get a 2-3 years out of a location most likely.. I'm going to use a larger auger bit and puller to get them up.. Or a set of cable cutters lol..I kind of look at this trip as an expense and not an income stream lol. Disposable stakes is not a correct term any longer due to the darn price increases!. But hopefully a whole lot of fun.. Planning 6 weeks down yonder if I can handle the weather in a wall tent that long.

Swamp, that's the plan, but now let's see how well I can execute lol.. And I'm hoping there are a good number of coyotes down there. Two years ago there was a good population and high small game numbers. I won't make it out to prospect this year (1700 miles one way).. So am going on the assumption no bad die offs or heavy control work done down yonder.. But we will try and catch what is there.

Bob, absolutely correct. I've skipped a lot of fishing here lately as I've been having a great time prepping for the trip. Me and the dog have spent a whole lot of time in the shop. The Boss has threatened to set my camp cot up out there a couple of times lol..