Freezing footholds-- need some tricks

[dale7637]

Hey guys,
I missed 2 wolves last night, both stepped right on top of my footholds. Both failed to fire. I'm obviously doing something wrong with the way I am bedding them in the snow.

What are your tips and tricks for bedding in snow to avoid freeze up?

Thanks!

[Reddog]

what traps you using?

[nimrod]

An old Native guy told me he used, a high alcohol beverage like bacardi 151, to marinate bait in to not allow it to freeze, maybe traps would not freeze, if you douse it when set, like oiling it.

no joke about the 151 stuff

[nube]

I use wax paper on mine. If you use the light fluffy snow you can sprinkle it over top very lightly and it works well.

[KegRiver]

Wax paper,

Crumple and work until it doesn't crackle any more.
Cut it to just fit between the jaws, then set the trap and pass it under one jaw, over the pan and under the second jaw.

That keeps snow from getting under the pan and stopping the pan from moving and it keeps the jaws from freezing down.

[KegRiver]

Originally Posted by nimrod

An old Native guy told me he used, a high alcohol beverage like bacardi 151, to marinate bait in to not allow it to freeze, maybe traps would not freeze, if you douse it when set, like oiling it.

no joke about the 151 stuff

Works well on bait, but on a trap will get your trap dug out.

[philintheblank]

maybe put a few drops of mineral oil on the springs, not sure if it has a scent or not though. I have also used wax paper for leg holds in the snow and it works pretty good.

[Red Bullets]

Originally Posted by philintheblank

maybe put a few drops of mineral oil on the springs, not sure if it has a scent or not though. I have also used wax paper for leg holds in the snow and it works pretty good.

Mineral oil will get stiff. Dry graphite powder is a better winter lube for moving parts. I think a good dry trap,no lube, with wax paper is the way to go. Even wax paper under the trap to keep the pan clear of snow.

[spot and stock]

I have had good luck with putting my traps in the produce bags you get from the grocery store(the real light ones.) Leave lots of slack for the the jaws when you set it though. A light cover of snow and good to go, they dont make much noise when crumpled either.

[Flight01]

Have seen the plastic bags and wax paper being used often.

[Torkdiesel]

Make sure the trap is cold when set, crumpled wax paper over the pan, fluffy snow on top.

[pgavey]

Have you guys ever tried cat tail fluff? I used it with years ago for red fox.
make a bed of fluff, bury the trap in it, and cover with light snow. I also used crumpled wax paper also, both worked well.

[jmparker]

this thread helps answer a few questions i had about footholds in snow. does anyone have a few pics of snow foothold sets they could share for a newbie like me? i picked up a bunch of footholds to try out this year and would like to give it a shot.

[AlbertaAl]

I've had some success with coyotes using footholds in freezing weather.
My exerience and thoughts include...
Regular dirt that was well dried out and sifted in the summer and later mixed with road salt. The salt is white and blends in with the snow.
Mixture is about 3 parts salt and 7 parts dirt.
I always used wax paper to cover the circumference of the trap jaws.
I've never crumpled the wax paper but that's a great idea as others suggested.

To overcome snow drifting I like to set-up on the south side of a burm, old bldg., round bale or haystack.

If you're setting up on level ground, either build a large ANT HILL of packed snow or use a manure pile with the trap located at the peak. The trap will stay clean of snow.

Digging into frozen ground is a tough job.
I use long handed ice chisels or axe head that is pounded with sledge.

[dale7637]

Thanks guys. I will give these things a try.

i realty wish I could just hang some snares and be done with it, but the risk of catching dogs is way too high.

[KegRiver]

Salt will eat your traps and melt the snow making even more ice.

If you want freeze proof dirt dig up an ant hill. It's not 100 percent freeze proof but it's 100 times better then using salt.

BTW, You only need around 8 percent salt to keep moist dirt from freezing.
Your mixture is around 40 percent, that's what we spread on the highways to clear ice off the pavement.

If you can find an old ships auger, 1 1/2 inch or two inch are about right, they work way better for making dirt hole sets in freezing ground then any other method I'm aware of.

Originally Posted by AlbertaAl

I've had some success with coyotes using footholds in freezing weather.
My exerience and thoughts include...
Regular dirt that was well dried out and sifted in the summer and later mixed with road salt. The salt is white and blends in with the snow.
Mixture is about 3 parts salt and 7 parts dirt.
I always used wax paper to cover the circumference of the trap jaws.
I've never crumpled the wax paper but that's a great idea as others suggested.

To overcome snow drifting I like to set-up on the south side of a burm, old bldg., round bale or haystack.

If you're setting up on level ground, either build a large ANT HILL of packed snow or use a manure pile with the trap located at the peak. The trap will stay clean of snow.

Digging into frozen ground is a tough job.
I use long handed ice chisels or axe head that is pounded with sledge.