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