I ordered a trappers cap for my 1.75's and have not tryed a practice set. I thought that I would get my answer by asking those that have or do use a cap.

Q: once you have the trap bedded and all that shows is the trap pan, will the sifted dirt that is used to cover the pan get under under the pan enough to keep it from firing?

I am thinking this is a dumb question, but maybe ONE other person wonders this as well?

two unders? to much coffee. LOL

Ok, to the back yard I go. I was thinking maybe regular dirt would be ok, but the wax dirt I have is so fine I think it would roll under the pan.? I'll find out

Some will not agree on this...but I used a trapper cap and still used a small pan cover to keep any sifted dirt from falling under the pan. Now, the reason I did this was to bed the trap as solid as I could without the worry of setting off the trap (packing inside the jaws). After removing the cap, there is still a small crease that dirt could fall into and under the pan. I use a small wax paper pan cover to prevent this. Just the way I do things. I'm sure I'll get heckled for it...

Thanks for your input.
I bedded a trap today with the use of the cap and found that some dirt will get under the trap.
I also found that I could bed the trap better than I have been able to in the past.
I am thinking that I will put something, not sure at this time what under the pan, along with the use of the cap. Because of how firm I can pack the dirt around the jaws. (inside and out)

I will use wax paper on my other land traps, and try to get a better bedded trap this year. This will be one improvement from last year I am sure. Which will hopefully bring more catches.
I want to be a better trapper in all areas compaired to last year.

try the poly-fill a little gos a long ways ,real inexpensive like 2.88 or so at wally world may be the trick that your needing

I'll second the polyfill! A little under the front of the pan and you're good to go!

polyfill is the way to go.

polyfill, polyfill, polyfill! If you can't find it just buy a cheap pillow and store it outside for a couple days before slicing it open. Put loosely under pan, don't pack it in. Guaranteed, use it once and you'll throw that pain in the neck waxed paper in the trash.

Here's a neat trick I learned not long ago off this site:

Before you put the Trapper's Cap over the pan, put a cupcake paper over the pan, with a little slit in it to accommodate the trap dog. Then put the Cap on, sift the dirt, and pack it inside and outside the jaws like usual. The skirt of the cupcake paper will keep most of that dirt out from under the pan after you remove the Cap. Works slick as a gut.

Wow, I got to try that.

Nice tip Jim, Now I need to make me trappers cap to try that one. Tom

Excuse my ignorance, but how do the trappers caps work? I've seen them in magazines, but can't figure out how they would work.

I was wondering if there is any problems with scent on the poly fill or if you do something with it to clean if first? I was thinking of trying it but thought there must be some scent on it at first. I'm probably just being paranoid.

A trapper's cap goes over the pan of the trap while you pack the soil inside the jaws. It is then removed and the set is covered with a light covering of dirt. It leaves a hollow under the trap pan. Polyfill really has no odor, if you're concerned about it put it in an open container outside for a few days. It's synthetic so it doesn't really hold odors well.