Dirt Sets: What Do U Use For Anti-Freeze

[Snareman]

My first anti-freeze I ever used was cattail fuzz when I was mink trapping. It worked ok and had good success. Also, I liked to cut up grass and use that for anti-freeze too, but this also was used around water for coon and mink sets.

There was also a time in the early 80's I used a lot of the styrofoam beads and I really liked them. Lately my anti-freeze of choice is the cover hulls. They've worked well for me both in the snow and dirt. To use the coverhulls, I would sprinkle them on the bottom of the trap bed, set trap on top, then lightly nestled the trap into place and topped off with a light layer of the hulls followed by a light covering of dirt and/or snow. This method works good enough for me for my conditions. I have had big interest lately in making some waxed dirt, but will need to work on a plan for that.

What's your preferred anti-freeze method?

Snareman

[snaresRcool]

Use a snare! lol

I have always liked dry dirt and calcium chloride, but it creates a wet spot so I just sprinkle it around for 2-3 ft. and seems to work ok.

I too would like to do the waxed dirt thing, but would need a plan to do it. Sounds like a hassle.

sRc

[Creek]

I`ll hunt dry dirt. It can always be found. If I have to use an antifreeze I use salt. Its hard on traps but it works for me. Last winter I tried cover hulls but the coyotes kept digging up my traps so I quit using it. I may give peat moss a try this winter.

[ADC]

I am going back to salt and dry dirt this year too. I tryed to use several commercial "trappers anti-freezes" to try an avoid the salt smell that is attractive to deer and rabbits but I wasn't impressed. I am also trying to talk myself into making waxed dirt again, I haven't for years, but it is alot of work to make enough to make lots of sets.

[BrianKRoberts]

Nothing but waxed dirt for me , no avoidance, bulletproof, no rusty traps.
Easy to make and affordable in my eyes.....B.....

[conibear]

Brian i have question for you is wax dirt hard to put together, i'm thinking of try the stuff this year. I've always used gopher mound dirt and dryed it. And the last few winters i've used ant hill dirt, they kind of have a wax build up in the dirt so they dont freeze in the winter, but very time consuming to find in the fall and dig in the winter.