| The dirt hole set has probably caught more | | | | Decide if you want to use a stake or drag to |
| fox and coyote than all other setscombined. A | | | | fasten the trap. For stakes usere-rod between |
| properly made dirt hole set can catch every | | | | 15 and 24 inches depending on the soil with a |
| canine thatpasses, but the secret is learning | | | | short 6"chain. If you use a drag make sure to |
| how to make a good one. | | | | have 4 to 6 feet of chain, plus digyour trap |
| | | | bed deeper to accommodate the drag in the |
| The first step is to put your set location in | | | | bed. Sift 1" ofdirt over the stake or drag. |
| an area inhabited by fox orcoyote. In wooded | | | | Push the trap firmly into the sifteddirt and |
| areas, look for your set location near trails | | | | pack sifted dirt all around the jaws and |
| thatcross. In farm country, locate where | | | | springs. Having the trapfirmly bedded is one |
| fence rows meet, near rock piles and | | | | of the most important steps to a good dirt |
| oldfarms. Anywhere mice and other rodents are | | | | hole set. |
| abundant or an open area isnearby will work | | | | |
| also. The set location should be in an area | | | | It will be less likely to tip or spring when |
| that's open atleast 20 or 30 yards in all | | | | the animal steps on the outer areaof the trap |
| directions and relatively flat. Gray fox | | | | bed. The trap should spring only when the |
| don'tmind sets in thickets, but red fox and | | | | fox steps on thetrap pan. |
| coyote are too suspicious if set is notin the | | | | |
| open. | | | | Place a trap cover over the trap and sift 1 |
| | | | 2" of dirt over the entiretrap and trap bed |
| Clean equipment is a necessity. At a very | | | | area. Be careful to make sure there are no |
| minimum, clean traps andequipment free of | | | | small rocksor other debris that could get |
| factory oil, rust and dirt. Preferably, dye | | | | stuck in the trap jaws when the trapsprings. |
| and wax yourtraps and understand it's best to | | | | The covering over your trap should be flush |
| get your traps out before the deep freezes | | | | to slightly elevatedcompared to the |
| andheavy snows. | | | | surrounding ground. |
| | | | |
| Have two pairs of gloves with you in case one | | | | The final step is placing the lure, bait and |
| gets contaminated. Wearrubber boots as they | | | | urine. I perform this steplast so as not to |
| do not hold odors and can be rinsed off. Keep | | | | get any odors on the trap or bedding material |
| baitand lures away from traps and tools, | | | | which wouldcause the canine to dig and |
| either in a coat pocket or strapped to | | | | scratch at trap resulting in a sprung and |
| yourpackbasket. | | | | emptytrap. |
| | | | |
| The following dirt hole set described is | | | | A good gland lure is a must. Put several |
| targeted for red fox, but it can andwill | | | | drops on some fur and depositin the bottom of |
| catch raccoon, gray fox, coyote, bobcat, etc. | | | | the hole. Place a natural backing about 4 to |
| If coyote are yourtarget use larger traps | | | | 6 incheshigh behind the dirt hole and spray |
| with coyote scent. Place the trap several | | | | urine over backing. Use anything fromthe |
| inches from thedirt hole. Under normal | | | | natural surroundings, such as a piece of wood |
| conditions the 1 1/2 Coilspring trap works | | | | or rock. If you use baittry to use something |
| fine;however, in Michigan during fox season, | | | | slightly tainted, as rotten bait seems to |
| we have plenty of rain, freezing weatherand | | | | attract morepossum and skunks. |
| snow, so I use a lot of 1 3/4" and 2" | | | | |
| coilspring traps. The largertraps have the | | | | Your set is ready and only needs to have lure |
| strength needed to push through ground under | | | | added weekly or afterrains. Try making |
| adverse conditions. | | | | several sets in one location, especially if a |
| | | | lot ofsign is present. When you catch a |
| Set your trap before moving to the set | | | | canine, be sure to remake the set even ifthe |
| location and take large steps so thearea is | | | | area is all torn up. Just use a different |
| disturbed as little as possible. Place a 3' | | | | clean trap and beddingmaterial. As soon as |
| x 3' piece of canvasor tarp to one side and | | | | the weather starts freezing, mix trap |
| your packbasket on the other. Using | | | | anti-freezewith your dirt or use dry dirt |
| yourtrowel, cut out your trap bed | | | | that you saved during the dry summer months. |
| approximately 1" larger than your trap. Place | | | | |
| the sod and dirt removed on the canvas. Dig | | | | The last several winters have been pretty |
| the trap bedapproximately 4 or 5 inches deep. | | | | mild, which has provided us withsome |
| Dig a hole 1" in front of the trapbed, 3 to | | | | excellent weather for canine trapping. Be |
| 6 inches in diameter approximately 8 to 10 | | | | patient if your line getscovered with snow, |
| inches deep at a 45 degreeangle. I vary the | | | | because having sets out during a thaw is one |
| size of the dirt hole I make from a mouse | | | | of the mostproductive times and could result |
| size to gophersized hole. | | | | in your best catch of the season. |
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