Dirt Hole Set - Ticket to Canine Success

The dirt hole set has probably caught more fox and coyote than all other sets combined. A properly made dirt hole set can catch every canine that passes, but secret is learning how to make a good one.

The first step is to put your set location in an area inhabited by fox or coyote. In wooded areas, look for your set location near trails that cross. In farm country, locate where fence rows meet, near rock piles and old farms. Anywhere mice and other rodents are abundant or an open area is nearby will work also. The set location should be in an area that's open at least 20 or 30 yards in all directions and relatively flat. Gray fox don't mind sets in thickets, but red fox and coyote are too suspicious if set is not in open.

Clean equipment is a necessity. At a very minimum, clean traps and equipment free of factory oil, rust and dirt. Preferably, dye and wax your traps and understand it's best to get your traps out before deep freezes and heavy snows.

Have two pairs of gloves with you in case one gets contaminated. Wear rubber boots as they do not hold odors and can be rinsed off. Keep bait and lures away from traps and tools, either in a coat pocket or strapped to your packbasket.

The following dirt hole set described is targeted for red fox, but it can and will catch raccoon, gray fox, coyote, bobcat, etc. If coyote are your target use larger traps with coyote scent. Place trap several inches from dirt hole.  Under normal conditions 1 1/2 Coilspring trap works fine; however, in Michigan during fox season, we have plenty of rain, freezing weather and snow, so I use a lot of 1 3/4" and 2" coilspring traps. The larger traps have strength needed to push through ground under adverse conditions.

Set your trap before moving to set location and take large steps so area is disturbed as little as possible.  Place a 3' x 3' piece of canvas or tarp to one side and  your packbasket on other.  Using your trowel, cut out your trap bed approximately 1" larger than your trap. Place sod and dirt removed on canvas.  Dig trap bed approximately 4 or 5 inches deep.  Dig a hole 1" in front of trap bed, 3 to 6 inches in diameter approximately 8 to 10 inches deep at a 45 degree angle. I vary size of dirt hole I make from a mouse size to gopher sized hole.

Decide if you want to use a stake or drag to fasten trap. For stakes use re-rod between 15 and 24 inches depending on soil with a short 6" chain. If you use a drag make sure to have 4 to 6 feet of chain, plus dig your trap bed deeper to accommodate drag in bed. Sift 1" of dirt over stake or drag. Push trap firmly into sifted dirt and pack sifted dirt all around jaws and springs.  Having trap firmly bedded is one of most important steps to a good dirt hole set.  It will be less likely to tip or spring when animal steps on outer area of trap bed.  The trap should spring only when fox steps on trap pan.