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