#563987 - 02/06/08 01:37 PM
Trail sets
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trailblazersteve
trapper
Registered: 12/26/06
Posts: 498
Loc: Eagle River,AK
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How about a little talk aboout trail sets? Being a road/snowshoe trapper my whole life, I would like to learn a little more about making sets in my snowmachine trails for next year. The local trapper in my area uses these as his primary sets for k9's and cats and does quite well with them. So lets hear it, trap sizes, trap placement, trail condions, and drags. Also would like to know about being able to run over your set with your snowmachine after a set is made without setting the trap off.
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#563995 - 02/06/08 01:46 PM
Re: Trail sets
[Re: trailblazersteve]
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white17
"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
trapper
Registered: 03/17/07
Posts: 5070
Loc: McGrath, AK
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If I was after cats or wolves, the trap would be in the center of the trail. I'f I was after fox it would be in the lowest part of the trail.
I bury my drags in the trail rather than off the side. Wak ahead of the machine and bury the drag but leav a piece of cable accessible. Walk back and drive over your tracks. Set the trap off the back of the machine or a sled. I don't drive over mine. I walk forward and remove them with a shovel. Drive past and replace them. I'd use an MB750.
_________________________
Mean As Nails
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#564021 - 02/06/08 02:04 PM
Re: Trail sets
[Re: white17]
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trailblazersteve
trapper
Registered: 12/26/06
Posts: 498
Loc: Eagle River,AK
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Sounds good Ken but seems like alot of work on check day to keep popping up and resetting the traps. I am guessing like setting at a cubby that you would want to keep the dog of your trap to either your right or left. The local trapper tells me that every year he needs to wait for his trail to "set up" which doesn't take long before he can start setting. He also uses mostly #3's and says he likes to kinda turn the trap at 45 deg to the trail someting about being able to disperse the weight of his snowmachine that allows him to run over the set without setting it off. He says he is good to go untill he gets a 3-4 inch snow fall.
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#564023 - 02/06/08 02:07 PM
Re: Trail sets
[Re: Kusko]
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takotna
trapper
Registered: 12/22/06
Posts: 496
Loc: Takotna AK
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For wolves I use #9/MB750, I try to set where the next time I'm back I can "plow" over some thick willows on one side or the other, sometimes I'll leave my trail a 100ft or so and when I circle back set my trail where I left it and when it needs resetting I can do it from the side of the machine.
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#564028 - 02/06/08 02:11 PM
Re: Trail sets
[Re: Kusko]
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DW @ North Lk
trapper
Registered: 01/15/08
Posts: 69
Loc: Alaska
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Steve~ . When I set wolf traps in the middle of my sno- go trail. I carry two pieces of 2x4 about a foot long with me and lay them down, one in front of the trap and the other behind the trap and carefully go over it. It works about 95% of the time, Then you stop and hang off the back of the machine and re arrange your stepping or guide sticks and retrieve your 2x4 sticks . I run a Tundra which is pretty light so it might not work with a bigger machine ,But would be worth a try. And of course super soft snow screws every thing up . Good luck next year
Danielle
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#564049 - 02/06/08 02:20 PM
Re: Trail sets
[Re: DW @ North Lk]
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trailblazersteve
trapper
Registered: 12/26/06
Posts: 498
Loc: Eagle River,AK
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Yeah Clinton but mine and probably everyones eles's luck(except yours,lol) would that the critters would take your trail that goes "next to" the one set!
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#564065 - 02/06/08 02:26 PM
Re: Trail sets
[Re: trailblazersteve]
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takotna
trapper
Registered: 12/22/06
Posts: 496
Loc: Takotna AK
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That's why I plow over thick brush, they never follow it and since I "fall" off the trail all the time it looks natural on my line LOL
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#564112 - 02/06/08 02:53 PM
Re: Trail sets
[Re: akntrpr]
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Hupurest
trapper
Registered: 12/26/06
Posts: 3905
Loc: Las anchorage
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steve,
I did like White said about fox and the low point. I set the trap in the ski trail and then drove over it, and it didn't ever go off, but when the fox stepped in it it did.. I also set some in the middle of the trails and drive over them without setting them off. I do have a wide track so that may be why they don't go off
I also like to use pee posts on the trail...
either I drive right by a nice looking stick or bush, or I use a clump of dead grass I bundle up in the fall and "plant" it off the trail. then you can either add urine to it, or let them do it on thier own..
_________________________
Beaver for everyone VOTE  DOBBINS in -08
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#564127 - 02/06/08 03:00 PM
Re: Trail sets
[Re: akntrpr]
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takotna
trapper
Registered: 12/22/06
Posts: 496
Loc: Takotna AK
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That looks great AKNTRPR, was just thinking of the few snares I have in the trail, the iron dog is comeing through soon and have to move them, they sure chew the trail up and a few have some wild wrecks, once I changed the trail sharply to one side before a ditch out in the open cause it was a cut bank both sides and the leader slammed right into it, they were there for a while looked like.
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#564168 - 02/06/08 03:24 PM
Re: Trail sets
[Re: takotna]
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northway
trapper
Registered: 01/25/07
Posts: 223
Loc: Tok, Alaska
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I try to set my trail set in the brush, so on the next check I can do a half circle with tight turns through the brush. Basically I am going around it, but through the brush. Most animals always follow the easiest and straightest trail. That way I don't run over the trap and I can always reset it by walking through the brush to the edge of the trail and reset if needed. I usually leave untouched unless a lot snow falls or the wind blows.
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#564193 - 02/06/08 03:33 PM
Re: Trail sets
[Re: northway]
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Pete in Frbks
trapper
Registered: 12/28/06
Posts: 539
Loc: Fairbanks, Alaska
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I endorse the "set on the low side of the track for fox" tactic that W17 mentioned.
In fact, when breaking trail, I often deliberately put all of the weight of my fat butt over onto one side of the machine for a few yards to "prepare" a slanty piece of trail to set on the next time through.
Pete
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#564211 - 02/06/08 03:43 PM
Re: Trail sets
[Re: Pete in Frbks]
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trailblazersteve
trapper
Registered: 12/26/06
Posts: 498
Loc: Eagle River,AK
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Great information guys, thanks!
Akntpr- Great pic! Thats alot like the local trapper sets his trails. For the record though I am trapping near Glennallen where it is very dry and COLD! You would be surprised of some of the temps in some pockets of the Nelchina Basin. That is probably why the local waits for his trails to "set up" before putting out his line. What size traps are you using and is there anything to "positioning" the trap in the trail?
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#564314 - 02/06/08 04:35 PM
Re: Trail sets
[Re: trailblazersteve]
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Bushman
trapper
Registered: 12/28/06
Posts: 314
Loc: Alberta
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I like trail sets but hate having to move footholds or snares to pass by. The new snowmobiles with the big lugs seem to set off traps rather than pass over them. I'm more inclined to follow Takotna strategy. I put most of my trail sets on rivers and creeks. I believe that wolves in particular are less spooky in open areas where they can see all around them. I'll cruise along laying a nice trail and then veer off up over the bank into the willows or trees for about 20 yds. before returning to the creek. Then I lay a foot trail connecting the two snowmobile tracks and place a foothold just off each trail. This set must be familiar to to many of you as I've seen a version in your manual.
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#565759 - 02/07/08 10:47 AM
Re: Trail sets
[Re: Bushman]
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spotter
trapper
Registered: 12/31/06
Posts: 20
Loc: alaska
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I like to set a nine in the middle of the trail with the dog pointed to the side. dig a hole the size of your set trap and about 1/2" deeper than your trap . I also trap on a river and a spud a little hole in the ice and coil about 2 foot of chain in it alternating snow and water on it packing it in the hole tight. About 1/2 hour it will not pull out.Cover trap with wax paper and when you drive over trap with snogo lean over the gas tank a little and it will not set the trap off if the trail is set up and no big paddles on machine. The track itself will put about 1/2" of snow on trap so when you initially cover trap do so very lightly just to break the out line. This set will be operative for about three driveovers then you have to lift trap and cover again. These sets are about impossible to see when finished so make sure you remember where they are when it comes time to pull them. Good luck.
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#565767 - 02/07/08 10:53 AM
Re: Trail sets
[Re: spotter]
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piperniner
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 586
Loc: Alaska
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It's about time you offered some of that expertise Spotter. For those of you who want to take the Wolf class, Spotter is one you could learn a lot from . Thanks for the post.
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#566985 - 02/07/08 10:21 PM
Re: Trail sets
[Re: piperniner]
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spotter
trapper
Registered: 12/31/06
Posts: 20
Loc: alaska
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Thanks piper, but just like everybody else there is very little that I do that someone else did not show or tell me and the rest is alot of trial and error.
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