I put a few sets out this afternoon.

I used peat moss, thinking of trying some table salt mixed in tomorrow.

What are you guys using to keep your sets working?

the peat moss will work just fine. i would try to stay clear of the salt we did this last year and it really rusted the traps bad. it works great but the rust is horrible.

I reset all mine today w/ peat moss. With a big freeze next week I needed something dry. I was also told that salt will work BUT it will put a serious hurting on the traps.

Although I hear we have more weather coming in tomorrow for us. See what happens.

walnut hulls also work real well plus they are wax coated. you can get them at hoosier trapper.

I don't use peat moss. I can't get the hang of bedding a trap rock solid in the stuff. I also noticed when the traps get a soaking rain, or a big snow melt, and then the temps bottom out, it freezes up also. I use pre-dried and sifted dirt, and calcium chloride from the feed store. I keep a tote full of dry dirt in the barn, and put it in a bucket as I need it. The calcium chloride come in pellets or flakes. I just take an old blender, and chop it up really fine. Once I get the trap set, I pull it up and put some CC in under the jaws and spring levers. Then I layer it in as I bed the trap. I put a little more over the top and cover with the final layer of dry dirt. Dad and I have been working off the same bag of it for 4 years, and haven't even gone through 1/2 a bag.

I have never notice it rusting the traps. I dye my traps in logwood, and wax them. There shouldn't be any CC getting to the metal.

I use dirt from ant hills in the area. When my Grandfather was alive he told me of this little trick and I continue to do it today. It seems the ants secrete a natural anti-freze into the dirt which keeps it from freezing. Next time you are running your trap line keep your eyes open and take some home with you to try. Remember where you gather it because it will be in the same location next year.

If positioned right ant hills are used by yotes and cats as a scent posts. Ive seen my male beagles catch scent, stop, hike their leg and pee on the ant hills. Ive seen this happen many times so I know the yotes do it and once while deer hunting I saw a cat back up and scent an ant hill. h.h.

I know exactly what you are talking about. We don't have them in our area though. That would be a good idea!

Back when I was trapping fox(1970/80's), I'd get dirt and pulverize it, put in on a deep baking pan and put it in the oven to dry it out(my mom was never home when I did this)... when I made a set, I used a anti-freeze powder I got from the supplier ......

used peat moss to bed, the problem was it did not look natural and the coyotes did not want to work pattern.


I remade the set with dry (pre salted) dirt from under a bridge



Another set made with dry dirt.


This is some nice free bait. I froze these guys solid, then quartered them up with a hatchet. I will add some RK Predator Plus and Hoosier Trapper top dog bait to them then down the dirt hole they go!

Nice looking sets Chevy!