Has anyone made their own freeze proof dirt? If so, how?

I use salt with dirt in 10degres no problem yet

What kind of salt and how much?...does this interfere with the lure?

2 pounds of wax (parafin/canning) to 3 gallons of dirt. put dirt in pot, heat it and add the wax until it melts then stir so dirt is evenly coated.

Salt will eat your traps alive unless you have them in alot of wax. Deer are also attracted to salt so you will have alot of deer throwing your traps. What I do is wax my traps well and then put wax paper over the pan and use fresh dirt and hope for the best. But if you use salt use it in moderations.....CoonTrembler

Then what?...do you spread the dirt out and let it harden or what?

That is true i use the wax paper also. I dont use much salt

Thankd Coon, I was wondering about the deer thing. We have a lot of deer here. I am primarily a creek trapper, but I was wanting to try my hand at canine trapping too.

you can, or just leave it cool in the pot. If it sticks give it a bump or warm it slightly. Take the hunk out, throw something over it and break it up by tapping it with a hammer or something blunt.

CT, how long will the dirt last at the set?....

arg1, the dirt doesn't really harden it just coats each grain of dirt with wax. It won't freeze even in very adverse conditions. Just keep stiring the the hot dirt till all the wax is melted then remove from heat and continue stiring occasionally till cool. RD

Okay..Thanks R D!

Until you catch one and he tears the set up lol. No, it will last a long, long time. Like trapper rd said, pretty much every grain will be coated if stirred properly. Don't know for certain...never had it freeze up (I know this because I see it when I remove the empty trap after the season!).

Couple days ago someone posted on melting your wax first then pouring it on completely dry dirt like in a wash tub(somethin bigger than a pot) then just mixing it with your hands till the wax cools. Never tried it that way but they said only takes a few minutes and it's ready.Maybe its' listed in the archives. RD

That will work. I heat the dirt then put the wax on top till it melts--same thing. Don't think it matters how you get there.

Great ideas fellows...I appreciate your help.

Deer are attracted to salt to answer your question. They will smell it in the dirt and they will investigate the set most of the time throwing the trap and ruining your chances of getting your target animal. Deer travel through the creeks but they usually only cross they have certain paths in which they cross the creek. As long as you don't set your trap right on top of these areas(you'll notcie them) then your trap should be fine with a little salt if thats the route your wanting to take. Just use very little and don't let the trap set for to long or it will eat the steel I know from experience..Lol. But like I said wax and wax paper go a long way and wax paper helps conceal your scent on your trap not a lot but every little bit helps.

CT,how much are you doing at a time and how ya heating your dirt? Flame on the dirt pot or a wood stove or what? Thanks RD

what do u use to stir the dirt/wax mix with?

Put some rubber gloves on and reach in and start mixin.Use the gloves you set your traps with(if they're rubber) cause clothe ones might not go well if ya use the melted(liquid wax method I described).

Any one try using beaded wax? I've been seeing auctions on e-bay for beaded wax was just wondering how it worked compared to flaked. RD