So we are finally getting late snow here in Idaho… I’m having the problem that after a good snow, my set is completely covered. Guiding sticks, the dirt hole, and unless it’s a tree usually the backing too. On one hand I want to dig it all out, and on the other I don’t want to add a bunch of human activity.

I’ve been unable to far to connect with a wolf, so I’m hoping for some coyotes because I hate hiking in to check empty traps. Today was a 15 mile slog pulling my sled and all I had were empty traps somewhere under a bunch of wet snow. I’d say I “fixed” about half of them by dragging my collapsing snow shovel over to remove all but the last inch or so of snow over the trap.

I try to set under trees to give some snow cover but it isn’t really helping all that much. What do you winter trappers do for coyotes in snowy areas? All my traps are firing, it’s just a matter of the set being under a solid layer of white. Should I just leave it? When should I shovel out? I know ‘yotes are neurotic, and I feel like anything I do will be unnatural and scare them off.

Advice?

Don’t matter if every animal on the place jumps on the pan if it won’t fire or grab them you ain’t catching. Remake but what do I know. Seen times any activity such as dirt / dug up is a visual attraction.

When I remake I try and make it look like something dug up the area, usually I’ll throw a little lure in there as well. I’ve been baiting with beaver meat and organs. A couple times I’ve accidentally fired the trap with my shovel and then the entire set looks like a waxed sand bomb went off.

Was pretty successful in the early season, but since the weather has set in I haven’t caught anything in my land sets.

switch to snares for coyotes when you get more than 3-4 inches of snow. 3-4 inchs leave everything alone till they quit working.

yes switch to snares , in winter,

If you’re want to go for wolves, patience comes into play. Webb in Wyoming waited 52 days before they came back to mark and he connected. But snares rule in winter. Here we have a recommended 24 hour check-mandatory 72hr check for restraining traps. I don’t wanna be going in there to check all the time, and I can’t see my sets from a distance as they’re in the bush. I’ve had bad luck with cameras too, if it’s quiet outside, I can hear mine click so I keep it a few hundred yards away. More just to let me know if they’re back.

It is supposed to rain for 3 or 4 days and then get below freezing again. You will be remaking everything next weekend so 6 to 1 or half a dozen to the other.

Rain then freeze is no good for snares either.

Ranger, that's the joy of wolf trapping here in ID. Pretty much 6's like Sundance said as far as digging out, waiting for snow to melt or remaking everything later. Snares should be used with extreme caution especially this time of year since these first few big snows will be moving a lot of game down. Snare pens around a bait are better once the snow sets up for the season and you can get a sense for travel routes. The reality is that you probably won't be able to keep a lot of dirt sets operational. Personally I don't shovel much, and opt to let things melt or only run a handful of sets in areas I know they stand a chance of getting less snow covered. Cats are fun in the meantime and typical sets are less prone to getting decomissioned due to snow.

Welcome to the Armpit! If the weatherman is accurate, he is your best friend. Some winters here, are just a waste of effort.

Boco, you ever tried Vaseline on snares to keep them from freezing?

Thanks! I have some cable in the mail to start making snares, and some big baits ready to go. As far as snare pens do you mean do some major blocking or throw bait out, look for the travel routes and then set snares on those?

When I shoveled I tried to leave an inch of snow on the trap, with the warm weather coming in I figure my trap should melt out the first day of rain. Of course that means that my trap is going to be the only bare dirt, so I’m not sure if that’s good. Oh well, fight the weather the best you can, right?