I bought some moss that said it was moist, does it need to be dried to be effective in freezing conditions then?

It should be dry. Any moisture in it will make it freeze.

just split the top of the bail and set in a dry place were it will not get wet and by time to trap it will be good and dry

thanks. is their dry moss you can buy?

Yes they have a premium grade that is available but is a bit more expensive and has less waste in it.Some of the cheaper grades may have a few gallons of sticks and bark material. You need to find the dealers that store their peat indoors and not outside like Lowes and Home Depot. These are usually always wet.

Even if damp you can open and air dry as suggested. I sift all my peat then dry it myself. This way it is sure to be dry.

Bob, do you have trouble with animals working the set differently when using it? Does it work better if you add about half dirt to the moss when setting? Maybe with a step down set there is less need for it to be bedded solidly? It seemed hard to bed the trap unless I had dirt mixed in with it. T.20

I wouldnt recomend using sphagnum moss for a freeze proof trap bedding material. Sphagnum moss readily absorbs and holds water very well and will freeze solid as a rock. Peat moss on the other hand allows water to flow through it and doesnt absorb the moisture making it a much better choice for a bedding material.

I store mine in large rubber container's with snap on lid's, can get them at wal mart, etc. Let sit in them all summer and it's dry as dust by fall.

Mixed with dry dirt does make it easier to use as far as bedding goes but in freezing condition's it's best to just use alone. Not as good as a well bedded trap in normal condition's but when the weather get's sour you just have to do the best you can, foot guide's, etc. will help put the animal's foot on the trap pan upon approach and not on the loose jaw, lever, etc.

Thanks for the tips J and Dave. I wasn't aware there was a difference. T.20

I mix 50/50 dry peat and dry sifted dirt. Have done so for as long as I can remember. Bedding alone in peat or hulls can be difficult for most but can be done with some assistance and practice.

I have used all kinds of peat dried havent seen any difference in my sets. If you get lots of rain and freezing windy temps just about everything will freeze even with salt added at times. Then it is constant rebuilding of sets on a daily basis at times.

Waxed sand and for the most part waxed dirt will stay freeze proof through just about anything mother nature can dish out. In my opinion a much better bedding material than any moss.

I agree both of the waxed materials mentioned are far superior to peat and peat dirt mixes and will work much better and longer without maintenance as I use them also in limited volume.

I use too much dirt to enable me to produce enough waxed dirt to use in a season. They are the better material but heavy rain and freezing temps will glaze over the waxed dirt if it puddles at all on the trap bed. Just have to flip the frozen pancake off the next morning and be on your way. The bed and trap will usually be in working order. Add a little more wax dirt to the top and you are back in business.

well ya know what I just don't wanna deal with the whole darn wax dirt thing, ya know? just lookin for a easier way, ya know? gosh. OOOOOOOHhHHHHH well guess if it twer easy every one would do it right? thanks for the insight fellas.