I used “salt” incorrectly here, I should have referenced “ice melt”. I use the noted below to freeze proof my sets. It works pretty good and have zero trouble with deer.

Welded a cold chisel to the back of my Sodbuster and put the nut back on my driver. Will see how things go when I set more this weekend. I tried out the chisel on the back of the hammer in my driveway and it worked way better than the stock wide spade that it came with.

I have plenty of snares out, but I'm a foot hold trapper. I just enjoy it more. Snares are pretty specific, whereas my traps take whatever predator comes along. As for hay sets I've never caught a cat or coyote in one. They're deadly on skunks and other junk critters, but they don't seem to work well here.

Hobbie Trapper - Appreciate the ideas. That rock would have to be near molten to thaw this frozen gumbo. It's some pretty miserable stuff.

I've used a Pulaski for frozen ground beds, keep it sharp and a few wacks and you've got a bed. Probably a little oversized but it's quick.

I agree with you about snares, I'm the same, especially with our cable restraint regulations. Our "no entanglement" rule really limits where they can be set.

It can take a while to set them because any entanglement, if present, must be removed