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