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Post by natedawg on Apr 24, 2011 21:10:56 GMT -5
I have been wanting to try some walk-thru John Graham style dirt holes this upcoming year. Most I have seen use a large rock in front of the trap to make the animal walk through the set. I don't have any rocks like that here so I came up with a few different configurations using logs. I have cut up a bunch of logs 4-8" in diameter and roughly 18" long - the *plan* is to go out preseason and figure out exactly where I want all my sets, and the places that don't have adequate material around for the blocking I want or if I want to make one of these style sets I will lay however many logs I need to make the set. Just trying to speed up the process as much as possible so I don't spend any time looking for backing or guide sticks in places where there isn't much. Here are the 3 variations I came up, was wondering which one you guys would prefer or have the most confidence with. Target animal is bobcats, so I am not worried if the blocking causes some coyote refusals. There would also be more visual attractors there for the cat but these give the basic idea. Left the trap uncovered so you can see exact position. V Walk-Thru - The blocking in front of the trap is a 6-8" length of log stood on end, so it sticks up in the air 6-8". T Walk-ThruParallel Walk-Thru
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Post by mark572 on Apr 24, 2011 22:37:38 GMT -5
I do not have many cats here to trap but these sets produce coons, fisher, yotes and fox up here in Maine! all of them work,i like the v shaped logs with a smaller stepping block just my preference.
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Post by natedawg on Apr 24, 2011 22:47:51 GMT -5
Thanks for the info Mark! I was actually leaning towards the V setup myself.
Do you ever use any lure under the lip of the object that is blocking in front of the trap? So you would have lure/bait in dirt hole, and then maybe a different lure on the other side of the trap under the edge of that blocking?
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Post by mark572 on Apr 24, 2011 22:52:20 GMT -5
If i use any lure at all nate i would put a little back at the top of the v on top.here i use this set more in later season so i use a very small drop of gusto.
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Post by mntrapper on Apr 25, 2011 9:11:03 GMT -5
Natedawg great pictures I love your 3rd picture the best. For cats you would not even have to dig a dirt hole just put some feathers by the bigger log and urine/and put some gland lure /sweet skunk lure on the smaller log.That way you have odor on both logs means the more the cat will have to move his feet around.and second in the 3rd picture move the 2 bigger stick that are leaning over the big log and place them on each side of your levers that way the cat will have to step over them to get to the odor and he will be right on top of your trap pan. just my 2 cents worth!!
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Post by redeagle on Apr 25, 2011 16:33:45 GMT -5
I have done it the way mntrapper describes for a few years and have caught a bunch of bobcats that way. Forget the dirt hole, like he said. What I do is punch 3 holes, about 6 inches apart, under the side of each log using a rebar stake, and put a small amount of a different smell down each of these tiny holes- just what adheres to a q-tip. For instance- put catnip in one, beaver castor in another, bobcat gland in another, maybe weasel musk or mink musk down another, a food-based lure down another, etc. Really mix it up with several different smells. Urine goes on both logs. All these different smells sure keeps the bobcat's attention until he gets nailed in the trap. I have tried feathers but have had better success without them. Don't know why- just has worked out that way for me.
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Post by natedawg on Apr 25, 2011 18:42:40 GMT -5
Thanks MNtrapper, I was wondering if it would be beneficial to spread the lures out some to keep the cat stepping around a bit more.
Redeagle I really like the multiple holes idea! Interesting you actually did better with no feathers. Would you ever use any visual stimulus within the walk-thru, such as a bone on one side of the trap, or just rely on location and the scent of the lures?
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Post by redeagle on Apr 25, 2011 19:22:08 GMT -5
I just set right on the travelway itself and have just relied on the multiple scents to do the job. I haven't considered using a bone before. A visual attractor may be icing on the cake, but it isn't necessary and the variety of odors sure works magic on cats. What's neat is if one odor isn't attractive to the cat that day, others will be. Think of yourself, going through an all-you-can-eat restaurant smorgasbord. You may see an entree on the food bar that doesn't appeal to you that day, and if that's all there was, you would pass up eating there altogether. But there's also some other stuff on that food bar that's appealing , plus there's the stuff on the salad bar, the stuff on the dessert bar, etc. Because there are so many other things there at that restaurant that you like, you will decide to eat there, even though there are a few things that don't appeal to you. And you have to go back and forth from one food bar to another to get at the treats that you want to put on your plate. Same with using multiple scents on cats- one day they may like one smell, another day, a different smell. But, who wants to wait for the next time they pass through in order to see if they are interested in that one smell you have to offer? Give them several options all at once and chances are there will be something that appeals to them and they will hang around, sniffing back and forth, and hopefully step into a trap while doing so.
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Post by mntrapper on Apr 25, 2011 20:45:25 GMT -5
Redeagle great posts!!!
Natedawg if your making your backing wood why don;t you burn it so the wood is black. Know that will stick out for sure I have done that and put it in dry washes and it sticks out like a sorry thumb. And another thing if your bringing your own wood for a backing drill some holes in there for your lure it will last for along time if your in rainy weather.Just my 2 cents!
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Post by natedawg on Apr 25, 2011 21:25:43 GMT -5
Great explanation Redeagle!
MNtrapper I was thinking of doing just that, I figured the charred wood would stick out better and should hold the odor of the urine/lures better. Didn't think of drilling holes, good idea.
Looking forward to giving these a whirl. I'm too stir crazy for trapping season with it only being April lol.
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Post by mntrapper on Apr 25, 2011 21:39:05 GMT -5
Great explanation Redeagle! MNtrapper I was thinking of doing just that, I figured the charred wood would stick out better and should hold the odor of the urine/lures better. Didn't think of drilling holes, good idea. Looking forward to giving these a whirl. I'm too stir crazy for trapping season with it only being April lol. Natedawg it's always interesting to try new things on the trap line!!!!! The burnt wood will pull the cats a ways away but as you know set close to there line of travel and get your skinning knife ready. the John Graham style walk through I use 75 percent of my cat sets. It works wonders!!! I like this set because the cat has to commit into the v/walk through and keep going because very rare do they turn around and go back they walk right through the upside down v. Best of Luck!!!
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Post by redeagle on Apr 25, 2011 22:11:07 GMT -5
Good info and I like the idea on drilling holes for lures.
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Post by indianacoon on Apr 27, 2011 8:00:45 GMT -5
Im gonna try theese next year
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