NO-MOLE TRAPS

Has anyone ever tried placing the dog on a No-mole trap closer to the end of the tongs to catch shrews and Star face moles?

I've always placed the dog about an inch or so back and have never had an issue with catching Star-nosed moles or shrews.

Man, this isnmt ‘on topic’ per se, but that trap has given me fits.

Eric
The instruction say to place the dog about a inch from where the wires cross. Is that what you are saying. I was thinking of setting the dog about 1-1/4 from the end for the trap.

Jason
Yes, they can be a bear to set some times. I carry a wooden dowel to enlarge the runs and to make sure the run is straight. I also run the trap in and out of the hole a few times.

Thank you GT. I also think the soil comp had a lot to do with success/failure. If fairly soft, the moles in my area tend to plow a lot of dirt right into and under the trap making it useless. I have the same problem here with Albano’s traps. If I am in heavy sod with clay or heavy soil underneath then no problem. Otherwise, it’s disappointing. Lol

I've attached a picture of how I set the NoMol. This one happens to be an old model that isn't plated, but the only difference I've noticed is that it takes a couple of more times setting the plated model before the "spring" is loosened up and not popping the trigger. Two things I do that makes a big difference are to preset the traps at the office until the trigger stays in place and the trap stops self firing and to make a mud ball and place it in front of the trigger when making the set.




On a normal job, I make the set by cuting a 8 - 12" opening in the mole tunnel (I only set surface runs with the NoMol) and rolling it back away from the tunnel. Next I ream both ends of the still closed tunnel to make them wide enough to insert the trap ends. Then I insert the traps (one on each end) until the trigger is about 1/2" or so away from the tunnel. Next, I make a 3/4-1" "mud ball" and drop it right in front of the trigger. This is the hardest part as you don't want the too much distance between it and the trigger, but you also don't want it so tight that you're firing off the trap while making the set. Lastly, I stake each trap end with a survey flag and close up the tunnel.

Interesting, so you can have dirt behind the trigger and a dirt ball in front of the trigger.
Thinks.

I struggled with same disappointment of using Albano's mole trap in soft soil on surface runs my first two years hunting this silky gent! It forced me to learn how to use the more productive OOS trap (upgrade version) on these type of "open" runs. I use the Talpex scissor trap for the same type of runs along house foundations and fences in the same soft soil. I still use Albano's mole trap when moles start tunneling deeper and start throwing mounds (not too common in my area). This little trap is deadly for moles tunneling under sidewalks or bottom fence rails! The big key for me re this trap is learning and now only using it "upside down." My success rate has improved dramatically when used in this manner. Unlike trapping gophers where I refuse to use anything but Albano's Gophinator trap, for me it pays to have a variety of mole traps to fit the different setting challenges this critter presents us.

Never got the hang of setting Albano's trap upside down.

Aggie73
Do you put the spring end of Albano's trap in the bottom of the run and push the tong end of the trap in the top of the run? Are they more than a 45 degree?

GT - Here is a pic I took of an actual mole run that I "cut away" specifically and only to photograph and answer your question. The pic shows the trap set assuming the mole is coming from the left of the spot where I dig out the run. Of course, I set another trap in the run in case it's coming from the right side. I have sometimes found as many as 3 tunnels at a dig out. I also now use the Mole Tunnel Pilot to help wallow out the tunnel before inserting the trap. This tool helps when using this trap in the deeper runs.

The Eastern Mole found in my southern area is smaller in size than the same species found in northern climes. Albano's standard mole trap fits perfectly in my mole runs. I try not to enlarge the tunnel anymore than I have to when I'm setting this trap. This tighter fit helps suspend the front end (catch tines) of the trap somewhat while the backend (winder spring) rests in the tunnel on the longer spring catcher rod. I only slightly put downward and forward pressure on the back end of the trap as I'm inserting it (opposite of bedding the trap when using this trap in the conventional matter!). This raises the catch tines somewhat helping the mole enter the catch zone vs. digging under after his nose hits steel. Hope this helps!

Aggie73
Thanks, I will be getting back with you I am off to check traps.

I've caught more shrews in them than moles, which is a shame.
The shrews are in those tunnels actually hunting the moles, which they will kill and devour !

Anggie 73
Set some traps upside down and works some of the time, but defiantly another trick in the bag. I still have one that really work me. Thanks for the heads up.