One
of My Favorite Sets
Article from Sep
- Oct 2003 Buckeye Trapper
by Zac
Coblentz
I just thought I would pass along to my fellow Buckeye Trappers
a favorite set of mine. Many of you may already use a similar
set yourselves, some of you may find this set odd and out of place.
Whatever the case may be, I must tell you that this set works
very well for me in my area. Although I use a multitude of sets
on my trap line, I often return to this "old reliable"
set, to make a catch as well as to remake a set; which I will
explain later. Before I go into detail on my favorite set, let
me stress that I am in no way a professional trapper. In fact,
I'm still learning and improving every season.
I call my favorite set the "chaff set dirt hole". You
may notice that this set is actually a combination of two well
known sets. I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel here, just trying
to improve it. In order to create this favorite set of mine, you
must have some kind of chaff. Hay and straw are the first things
that might come to mind, but actually grass clippings, leaf litter,
fresh dirt, and cattail fluff all make fine chaff for this set.
The idea of the chaff is eye appeal, you want chaff that is light,
fluffy, and spreads easily. For my chaff I use barn dirt. It consists
of dry and pulverized manure, hay, and soil, and is usually obtained
easily from any farm. I shovel and bag my chaff in old feed sacks
and transfer the chaff to the set via five-gallon bucket.
To make the set I find a likely spot where furbearers frequent
such as a field bordering woods, creek lines, and fence rows.
As with any trap set, location is the key to being successful.
To make the set I dig a dirt hole next to a natural backing, like
a rock or log, just as if I was making a standard dirt hole set.
I then take my five-gallon bucket of chaff and spread it evenly
in a circular pattern in front of the backing and around the dirt
hole. You do not need a whole five-gallon bucket of chaff, just
a few handfuls. The dirt hole can be of any size, but about a
three-inch diameter hole is what I use. Also I like to dig my
dirt hole strait down and rather deep, not at an angle. Now on
the outside edge of the chaff circle I make a trap bed, keep in
mind the distance of the trap from the dirt hole. For fox and
raccoon I like the trap closer to the hole than for coyotes. I
bed the trap and sift it over with natural dirt from the area,
I also use available ground debris to make the trap look just
like the surrounding ground. For bait in the dirt hole I usually
use flesh chunk bait, then sprinkle a little chaff in the hole
to cover the bait. Gland lure can be used at the lip of the hole,
but it's not necessary, to finish the set I mist the dirt hole
and backing with fox urine.
Most furbearers approach this set readily, but are reluctant to
step in the chaff. Instead they work along the edge of the chaff
and the dirt hole centers their attention over the trap. I think
the chaff and dirt hole keep the animals attention ahead and not
necessarily at their feet and the edge of the chaff circle, thus
they fall victim to the trap on the outside edge. I have successfully
taken both canines and raccoon in this exact set. Sweet lures
can be substituted if raccoons are targeted, but they usually
come readily to canine bait or lure.
This favorite set of mine seems to work well in my area, however,
it is not the only set I use. I have noticed that this set works
well in areas where furbearers are used to seeing dirt holes and
flat sets; the chaff just changes the whole look. I also have
noticed that this set works well as a remake when a fur bearer
has already been caught at a traditional set. The area is already
torn up with lots of dirt and ground debris, I just use this as
my chaff, make a dirt hole and bed a trap at the edge. The chaff
from the remake already smells like the animal you have captured
plus the lure, bait, and urine you used at the set originally.
Hopefully this set might make a welcome addition to your bag of
tricks. As stated before, it works for me in my area, and I'm
sure if made correctly it will work for you. Just remember location
and cleanliness are the keys to trapping; good sets just top it
off. Good luck and may your stretchers be full. ### Zac
Coblentz, 8019 Battin-Howell Rd., South Charleston, OH 45368
Editor's Note: Zac is a trapper from South Charleston,
Ohio who is a member of the OSTA and says he is an avid reader
of the Buckeye Trapper. He always thought it would be neat to
write an article for a magazine and when he saw us advertise for
articles, photos and clippings from the members, he thought he
would write and pass on his favorite set along with his drawing.
I hope he gets as much enjoyment out of seeing his article in
print as, I know, all the members will in reading it. Thanks for
sharing your idea with the members Zac. We look forward to reading
your next article.
|
