This is in response to the post asking for pics of fox sets.


This is a pic of the equipment I use for fox sets. Leggett's bag, groundhog digging tool,stainless trowel(thanks YoDog!),whisk broom,sifter, pan covers, and lure.


First, I choose a backing and dig a hole angling back under it.


Next, I use the digging hammer to make the trap bed.


I bed the trap with the dog in the 6 o'clock position. I used my hand to illustrate pan placement. With the side of my hand at the edge of the dirthole, the otherside of my hand is over the center of the pan.


I lift the loose jaw and put my pancover in place and putting the jaw on top of it.


Then I blend it in, leaving a small spot over the pan a little more open. It make a natural place for the fox to place it's foot. Note that I placed a small stone just outside the dog of the trap. It creates a walk-throuh type of set, and a fox that comes from the front will step over it , placing his foot on the pan.

TAPERED DIRTHOLE



Notice I used the digging hammer to make a trench with the hole dug at the back of th trench.The front of the trap bed should be slightly lower than the back of the trench, and it should taper to ground level at the back of the trap bed.


The trap is placed with the dog against the back of trench. The trp will be on a slight angle with the loose jaw being just uunder ground level. Pan cover is used the same as any other set.


Dirt is sifted and pushed to the sides over the pan so you know where the pan is.The stuff left in the sifter is placed tight up against the trench on both sides. They will stop just short of the pan creating a stepping place at the ends of the ridges of dirt.

Sift more dirt over the trap again. Reach into the trench , pulling the loose dirt back left from sifting. This will leave a small trench that tapers from the hole to just behind the pan.Pour the rough stuff to the sides. Leave the front fairly open. This encourages th fox to approach from the front of the set. When a fox approaches from the front, he will step over the break in the ground, and into the trench landing on the pan. The pan should be about 1.5" below surface of surrounding ground in finished set.
Please ask questions if you have any on the sets or equipment! I hope this helps.

Is there a reason why you set the dog out on one set and went dog in on the other set? No lure or urine?

You could put the dog either way on either set. I feel that with the dogs the way they are in those sets, there is less chance of a canine stepping on the dog. That's the way I was taught , and it has worked well for me. There is really no right or wrong way to do it. I guess a guy should use what he's confident in. Confidence is vital to success. As for lure and urine, it is up to the individual trapper what he uses. Me, I put my smell or smells directly in the hole.

Zeke, outstanding post. Thanks. Looks like a great set. Lots of good tips there. Terry, good question about the dog. I wondered too.

Are you using Kleenex as a pan cover?


Great pics! thanks for taking the time to post these.

great post i emailed it to myself. plan on useing the sets this year

Those are actually a box of unscented tissues for cleaning glasses or optics. They are not soft or fuzzy like Kleenex. They are more like the paper that you get for picking up doghnuts at the bakery. They come 1000 in a box. The best part is I get them for free from my friend. When the weather is wet, I use jumbo cupcake papers. I wad the cupcake papers into a little ball and straighten them back out before using them.

KimWipes, they can be had from lab supply dealers.

I dont buy into the "blending" idea..You can blend and blend all day long.The canines will still smell the freshly dug dirt...So truthfully its not "truly" blended in....

Nicely put and detailed.

Nice set,Them Leggets know their business

My reason for blending like that is to hide the set from two legged critters. I do a lot of trapping on our State Game Lands. The fox will find it as long as the location is correct.

will this work for yotes (give me a break im a newbie)

Me too , when it comes to coyotes. I think it should work for coyotes. It might be a good idea to move the trap back a little if you are targeting coyote.

yes it would work for yotes most any set for fox work for coyotes ,i set mine alittle different ,but i go mainly for fox,my traps are set pretty snug to the whole ,i noticed you have some room in between the hole and the trap,that set right there would be ok ,maybe even alittle offset wouldnt hurt it ,but everybody does what works for them

Great post need more like them. Keep em coming!

The lip is to protect the trap from being dislodged if an animal should dig at the hole. On flat sets I do offset the traps a little.

zeke ,if the animal digs your introuble ,you want full attention in that hole and that foot to step on the trap ,once you get diggers ,have fun !

I was talking about fox digging out bait or lure, not the trap. You're right, if a fox starts digging the trap out, you have problems. LOL!

yes ,thats why i keep my traps snug against the hole ,first place it will step everytime will be right on my pan ,no time to dig at the hole