Ive only been trapping for a couple years but mostly for coon. I just got some real nice land that has alot of field surrounded by woods. The way the field lays is its kinds high in the middle and then slopes down on both sides to the woods, kinda like a rainbow. around the edges near the woods it is rolling with alot of dips in it. To the experienced fox trapper where would be the best places to set this, high or low? Thanks, Walt

Don't know what the land is like. Best try would be were the field ,woods and a road meet.Foxs like roads and edges!

set where there are droppins and tracks. LOCATION IS KEY

i found a small hill in a 40 acre hay field, set it, and caught 10 fox out of my 11 fox year, same set, same trap, and 4 yotes...

edges buddy edges or intersections

What kind of a "field" is it - agricultural crop land, or a natural, undisturbed setting?

If it is in a hay or stubble field (corn or soybean)....or even if not combined yet, set both the highest ground and at the lower areas on the field edges where the woods or a lane might intersect - all natural travel ways. Sign may not always be that evident, but if you know that you have fox in that territory set the corners/edges and the high ground.

Your effort will improve with practice, trial and error, and cultivating a keen sense of observation, learning how to find, interpret and translate the sign in any given habitat.

The examples below are prime red fox habitat where I trap with edges, lanes, high spots and wooded points into fields.

Jonathan

Soybean Field - Not Picked; Set At Tree Line And Crop Corners



Corn Field



Open Hay Field - Wooded Point



Old Hay Field Edge - Red And Grey Fox Habitat



Manure Pile In Hay Stubble



Wooded Point In Disked Corn Stubble



High Point Between Hay Stubble, Lane And Worked Field



Wooded Island In Disked Field



Corn Stubble And Wooded Point

Thanks!!! Its all hay field around here.

Find your intersecting crops or roads...crop changes are travelways for K9's...Any intersecting terrains are usually hotspots as well.

If there are any wooded islands in the feilds these are usually great places. Critters love em

This is another example of a main attractant in my red fox trapping territory - a brush pile "island" in the middle of an old hay field. It will have equal if not more appeal after it is burned.

Jonathan

Jonathan's picture of that brushpile is equally attractive to all other predators as well. Brushpiles usually mean food to predators whether it be in the form of rodents, rabbits, ect...

Hi guys.
I'm new to trapping. This is my first post to this message board. I actually got on here to ask a question specifically about this topic and rooted around to see if it had been previously discussed before posting a message.
I have been reading a number of books on trapping leading up to this first trapping season. None have been very good at covering the subject of where to place a set on a property. Is there a book that you can think of that covers this pretty good? Or, has all the locations been discussed here? (field edges, road/field intersections, islands/brush piles in middle of field)
Thanks
be careful out there.

Nick, I commend you for taking the time to check the website for your answer before asking questions. As far as books, you might start a new post and see what everyone's favorites are, be sure to be specific on what target species you want to learn about as there as lots of books out there.

I guess I did hijack the original post.
sorry about that.
take care everybody.

Nick, Not to worry about jumping in with your raised hand. It fit this theme perfectly. I cannot help you out with the "book" part. I have been trapping red fox for well over 50 years without reading a book or buying any DVD's. But, I learned about this stuff by reading sign and studying locations as a self taught student. And, I continue to learn more each day that I waddle around scouting.

Jonathan

ok i will make a location post...again
look for it it will be called red fox locations explained.

Here are a few more examples of classic red fox attractions in farmland travel way habitats and corridors. All of these that I have pictured are equally productive for coyotes.

Snowmobile Trail Through Woodlot Connecting Crop Fields



Apple Orchard Adjacent to Thicket With "Point" At End Into Hay Field



Hayfield With Wooded Point



Corn Field And Hedgerow Intersection



Corn Field And Ditch Edge - Set Both Sides Of Ditch



Soybean Crop Field With Wooded Edge And Point At End Of Field



While these examples are in my area, they may give you a feel for the availability of similar types of terrain and habitat to look for in your area.

Jonathan

In working through message boards, I am always hesitant to drag a thread slightly off topic, but this deals very specifically with the photos above.
I am sorry for an extremely "rookie" question, but this is something that hits me when I look at some of these pictures....

It is still relatively early in the season. There is still fairly heavy ground vegetation just about everywhere (as shown in Jonathans pictures above).

When you dig your bed to place the trap, you remove a 6-8 inch area of sod; place the trap; and sift fresh dirt over trap. When a dirt hole is complete, it doesn't look like an animal came in there and dug a hole for food. From and animals perspective, it looks like someone/something came in there and removed a hunk of sod and did "something" to the dirt. It would raise red flags, i think. Being a human, trying to think like the animal....it doesn't look natural.

Again, sorry for the rookie question, but I just want to throw it out of comment and see where it went.

good question nick ive always wondered the same thing. and another question is about the pictures. i have a few spots to set just like some of the pictures where the woods makes a point out into the field. my wooded point is narrow and is the ntersection of crop changes. would i set right on the tip of it or off to the direction of the prevailing wing a couple feet?
thanks and great post

Thanks for posting those. Good pictures help everyone regardless of experience level!

Nick11, That is a good "rookie" question.

Keep in mind that in order to set a buried trap that the ground is going to get disturbed in the process to begin with. The fresh sifted dirt over the trap, blended in or not, is attractive to canines, as well as other critters when combinations of lure, bait and urine are used at that fresh looking patch of soil.

It functions as an added visual element of curiosity to entice a fox to investigate and work the set. I have caught many red fox while on location at a dirthole set with exposed fresh soil contrasting with green grass in a hay field without using any lure, bait or urine.

The habitats illustrated in my photos were taken about a week before the season, and will change very little, with the exception of crop removal until all is buried in snow. The crop fields (hay, corn, soybean,) meadows, wooded edges and brush piles are virtual rodent factories where fox and coyotes hunt for food.

To give you an idea about what you have questioned, here are two examples from your fellow PA trappers.

Study the location and habitat types in this photo. Do they look at all similar to any of those I presented earlier in this thread?



This coyote was caught in PA not many days ago by T-man member
Magnum Hunter using a dirthole set in the hay field.

Master fox trapper, Phil Brown from PA, catches more red fox than any other man that I know with this season's catch for evidence:



And, this is the set Phil catches most of them in:





Those should help answer any questions you may have had about disturbed sod and contrasting fresh soil exposed at a fox/coyote set.

Jonathan

any reason for the different color of soil.

Would imagine that's dry dirt that was trucked in.

Is that trap set below the surrounding ground or level.

The different "color" soil is an attractant all on its own. It is usually from a combination of things arranged by a trapper's individual sense and instinct from experience for trap bedding and cover, usually weather directed in the name of freeze/thaw conditions at a set.

In some areas of the country, where frozen ground is not a factor, but wet weather is, different approaches are taken for the bedding/cover element to contend with.

In either extreme, the color difference is from importing dry dirt from another location where it is available, and often involves a mixture of some type to keep the trap bed dry on both top and bottom of the trap to keep it operational. Those possibilities may include a waxed dirt preparation, or a mixture of any dry dirt (anthill soil included) mixed with peat moss or either cover hulls from buckwheat, rice or canola seeds.

That is about the best that I can describe that consideration for now. A thorough search of the Archives should yield more information on detailed aspects of this topic as I have mentioned the options.

While thinking about locations, this is another one often overlooked - took this photo a couple of days ago to add to this discussion.



It is a "dead furrow" from a plowed field made earlier this fall after a crop was turned under. When one is near the edge of a dense hedgerow, thicket or wood line, it is the ultimate "Trench Set."

For this location pictured, I would place two carefully bedded blind trail sets in the trench bottom proper - blended in as best that I could make it look as natural as possible about ten to twelve feet apart; one trap favoring the right, the other favoring the left edge of it. Then, where the sod grassy edge projects into the plowing on the left, a dirt hole or flat set would be planted there about 6-8 feet in from the plowing.

Over the years I have caught many red fox at blind sets in the bottom of these dead furrows.

Jonathan

bowhunter1, I didn't make that set, and can't vouch for Phil Brown who did, but it has all of the characteristics of a "Trench Set" where the pan is below grade from the adjacent ground. That one is not as extreme in depth as this one from another seasoned fox trapper from PA, T-man member Deadfox. This is his version of a "Trench Set" that consistently produces for him.





Jonathan

jonathon was this set directly above used for yotes or fox or both? the angle of of that hole is pretty darn steep.

Thanks Johnathan for the great pics and info.

Auker, The trench dirthole set works for fox and coyotes. I am almost positive that Deadfox uses that set for either one that happens by as shown in that last photo, but I believe John's main focus for that set is for red fox.

If both of these species are in your trapping territory and are vulnerable to capture at any of your sets, select a trap size that can handle either one. This selected trap size for both is liable to open wounds for debate around here. That decision will have to be yours alone through trial-error and observant experience. I use Victor round jawed #1.75 and #2 coil springs, and just bought two dozen MB 550's to try for comparison.

A classic, basic dirt hole set has a hole angle of something close to 45 degrees, with the pan nearly level with the ground. The hole angles used at any trench set vary widely with personal preference, usually depending on the target species, the depth and length of the trench, the diameter of the hole, soil type and the distance from the hole where the pan is oriented.

For the lack of a better way to describe or express this detail, it basically comes from experience and the "feel" for what works best in your area. That aptitude doesn't come easily for most of us - it takes time and practice.

Jonathan

Big round bales in those hay fields are extremely attractive? i have read that they are and i believe it because of all the mice that live under them. I have a perfect spot where there is a (wide) point that goes in the field. on one corner there is a line of bales. the path for tractors goes right along the edge. hope to catch coyotes and fox at that spot this year.

Steep hole they have to walk in to look down it here's a look from another angle.




and a catch.



just another pic of how they work caught 26 one year by both front feet.

Grove, You are right about the hay bales. The large round, square or smaller rectangular ones are mouse havens and canine magnets. I have posted my comments about setting near them on this forum a few times over the years.

Up until recent years, many farmers did not have balers that wrapped the large round bales in plastic or some kind of water resistant fabric. Without the wrap it wasn't uncommon to find red fox droppings on the top of them - a sure sign to confirm being on location.

As you may well know, there are potential hazards of setting traps at the bases of any hay bales that are still scattered around in the field that haven't been picked up and moved for winter storage. Very few farmers leave them in the field as dropped, picking them up as needed later. Most move them either into the barn or line them up outside near it - some just line them up along the edge of the field.

The "hazard" of setting near those left in the field or those lined up next to it is that you never know when there might be tractor and loading activity around them that will more than likely end up with crushed traps. If you have a good rapport with the farmer/landowner you can work within and around their bale moving schedules to avoid trap damage.

The ideal is to find bales, intact or damaged that might be 2-3 years old or older on the edge of a field that will never be picked up because of spoilage.

Thought this might be worthy of mention for those who have never set at bales - something to consider before getting too over eager.

Jonathan

am i correct in saying all the pics in this post seem like remakes on catch circles?


Bud

great thread. good to see threads like this still going, it couldn't happen without folks taking time to answer (and i know its been done over and over) these questions for the "newbies" on this site.

jonathon, GREAT POSTS!

thanks for this post waltp.this was a very helpful topic.i for one as a rookie am very glad that help like this is around for us.and again thanks for starting this one.

Thank you.

Jonathan

I'm far from an expert fox trapper, but in these parts when it comes to red fox trapping setting the high spot in a field is a respected strategy.

south side of a hill works great there all ways sunny theselves in the morning shot and trapped alot of fox doing that

These recent photos were taken while scouting and fit this thread's hay field theme. They are natural " dirt holes" made by fox digging for mice, voles or ground squirrels in separate hay fields.

Jonathan

Great post guys

Deadfox, Thank you for dropping by. I was hoping that this thread would have caught your attention, even though I didn't start it. Your photos of the set/catch additions certainly will significantly contribute to "waltp's" learning curve - it did mine! I knew about your red fox catch successes with trench sets from a few years ago, but was not aware of their larger size as just illustrated.

I was hoping that T-man member FlatSet from Wisconsin would have seen this and chimed in with his version of a dirt hole set. Yours is close to being a midget compared to his.

Jonathan

I am new to this forum and i must say i am amazed at all the knolage here. I realy like the picture of all the fox that phil cought. thats a lifetime of fox for us here in alaska.
I dont know of a place where you could get that many fox up here. I use the snow hole set its just like the dirt hole set but in snow and insted of setting the borders of the feilds
i use the edges of lakes and streams. My ?? is i am looking for a good lure to use from Dec to Feb. What did fox pelts go for last year. Johnathan i am glad to see that you are willing to share all your expert advice to all of us keep it comming.
Lance..

looks like you have alot of choices on good places to set

deadfox, what are the dimensions on that set. im talking about as far as the depth you dig it and how much the fox has to step down. how far back from the hole is the trap? do you have any more pictures of your sets. i know you have posted quite a few but i am very interested in that type of set.
thanks

ttt

good informative topic, this should be archieved


bud

Thought this thread died awhile ago. It is encouraging that it resurfaced for oxygen I have subsequently taken photos of the round hay bales and their arrangements in farmer's fields that I mentioned earlier.

Let me load a few of those images into my Photobucket account and I'll drop back with my notions on these gems for fox trapping review.

Jonathan

Is there any more interest in this topic?

Jonathan

Jonathan due you still have those hay bail images

Jonathan, in the course of my studies, Mr. O'Gorman uses a very similiar set and calls it his Mafia Set. Make them an offer they cannot refuse... It is a trail set as such combined with a scent post/ flat set characteristics. Trail set with a little urine, little gland lure on something slightly protruding into the trail, narrowing it down. They are already there on their trail, why not make it more enticing to investigate and squeeze them a bit?

Andy, I didn't know that set had a fancy name. I have just called it my dead furrow set - been using variations of it for over 50 years.

Travelintinner, Here is an assortment of the round bales. Most photos taken within the past month - several earlier this week.

Jonathan

where do you set on them ends,middle what about the ones in plastic?How about older ones do you think fox still frequent them i have about 6 on the edge of some woods have trails around them but no droppings or anything in july/august i was cuttin hay @ 11 pm and could see the fox at the edge of my headlights probably eatin mice so i know they are there

TL, From my experience, fox seem to frequent the older bales sitting from last year, or from this year's first cutting groups rather than those from more recent third cuttings.

You can set anywhere around the edges of them. Depending on the layout of the habitat adjacent to these rows of bales, I like to set at both ends and anywhere in the middle with dirt hole sets.

Where there are ruptured bales like the one shown in photo #2, you can pull some of that loose hay down flush with the ground and make a flat or scent post set at it.

I have never set at the single or "sausaged" plastic bales, but if that was all that were available, I wouldn't hesitate to do so if they were stacked in foxy looking habitat.

Jonathan

Be careful setting around those hay bales, it can lead to lots of smashed traps when the farmer comes to pick up his bales!

PA skinner, I made specific mention of that precaution earlier.

Jonathan