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fox loop...

2K views 16 replies 5 participants last post by  TrapperShrek 
#1 ·
Any suggestions on loop size/height on loops for red fox???

I had 8" loops between 8-9" and had a red fox walk down the path and make it through....hard as heck for it to goto either side....either went under it or through it...??

Any suggestions? I kept the same loop and lowered it an inch or so....its a regularly used trail...he'll be back....
 
#2 ·
Mauser, I know the book says 6-8" diameter 6-8" off the ground for fox and 10-12" diameter 10-12" off the ground for coyote. I have mostly red fox but also a few coyote in my trapping area and I'd really like to catch one of the coyote.

I decided 9" diameter 9" off the ground would be a good compromise.

Since hanging cables about a week ago I've only caught three red fox but all were neck caught (as opposed to neck/shoulder in a too big loop).

Here's pics of the last two (last one from this morning):



 
#3 ·
If just for fox I have better luck running 7" loop 8 up. For combo I run 9 and 9 and put something a coyote has to duck under. You'll get most fox by the neck but some by the hips
 
#5 ·
I like 9 and 9 as well, but I did miss a gray fox today with that loop. Newt Sterling told me personally to set 5 and 5 for Grays!
Lugnut, I picked up a tip to use those tiny, micro binder clips from Staples to hang snares on #9 wire and it's been working great. Another benefit is that you can pinch a few blades of grass or a goldenrod stem in the clip as well.
It helps to hide the lock and clip, but also allows you to place a "duck" stick/twig/stem over the top of the loop.
For the bottom of the loop I just fluff up the grass directly under the loop to act as a chin lift.
The great snaremen say there is no combination size for fox and coyote, but I'm trying my best to prove myself wrong.
 
#6 ·
By the way Mauser, I used your idea of using a stick for a snare support. I ripped down some 1x material to about 1x3/4 and 18" tall. I drilled two 1/4" holes toward the top and looped #9 wire in one hole and out the other, leaving about a 6" stub for the support wire.
I make a pilot hole with my stake driver and then pound the stake into the hole. Extremely solid anchor and it makes the locks work so much slicker! I think that little Gray is in for it now. The support stick is weak enough that it should get knocked right over during a catch, and it gives them something other than the cable to chew on in the catch circle.
Thanks for the idea. I made up about 50 of them in 15 minutes yesterday.
 
#7 ·
Wow! Kinda odd responses! Now my head is sore from scratchin it! Lol. I've read Newts advice online...he likes small loops and says many guys run loops too low...bottom of the loop is key...if it hits them below the chin and you got a good loaded cable, its far too late...so long as your loop isn't crazy big...and you force them into the loop not around it...

The 2 cables the fox went through/past all have grass over them and to the sides.....

My thinkin is it was following my scent and nose to the ground....that's my best theory....


#17, you stole my idea for after this season! I was thinkin of doing something similar so they are pre made....grab a bucket full with cables and go...making my support stick in the field takes more time than making the set lol....my only worry about any kind of lumber would be it doesn't look natural like a stick....


I caught a coon today that tangled my stick bad...another wrap and it would been done....I thought maybe I drove it too deep...after I was done I easily pushed the stick right over...didn't get below freezing last nite so it wasn't frozen in...I alwaysmake sure they will do their job and support my loop but make sure they aren't permanently in....I know they can act as a kill pole if they don't break/fall etc....

I like it much better than the straight 9ga wire...too flimsy for my liking...I want my cable to slam shut when a critter hits it..no bouncy support..
 
#8 ·
I've had luck going 7 inches up (ground to bottom of loop) and a 7 inch loop. Make a surfers "hang ten" sign with my hand for a measuring tool. From tip of my pinky to tip of my thumb is 7 inches (somebody showed me that trick I think, kinda handy). Although I did catch a fox that got a leg through the loop too and opened it back up and got away.

Everybody develops their own technique to loop size and height which is good. Thats how new techniques come about.

I like the idea of a support wire stick. Gonna have to try that one. Thanks
 
#9 ·
I've been using the same support system this year except with a 5" piece of wood pounded about flush and a longer piece of #9. I think using anything stickin up higher is askin for trouble, especially in frozen ground IMO
 
#10 ·
Shrek, good info on measuring with fingers...I do it often....but, with the "law" I like to know I'm legal....I've lost a half dozen rulers last season....this year I took my dremel and cut slightly ring into my pogo driver at 6,7,8,9,10,11, and 12 inches....time saver for me...I always have my driver when making sets....
 
#12 ·
furdog, you might be right...after seeing the coon wrapped up, I know I gotta change somethin...

I just don't like #9 wire itself...bouncy and flimsy for me..but never tried it off a post like you do...might help stiffen it up...my 11ga ran off my sticks is nice and ridgid...I don't run it long though which helps...less than a foot...I like my support off the trail a few inches..a few pieces of small grass or weeds between my support stick and my loop for fencing and I'm gone...

But, can't have my support stick acting as a kill pole either...going to experiment after the season....


Lugnut, that's kinda funny to me..I was kinda proud of my idea...I carry enough stuff...lost a bunch or rulers...even plastic bright colored ones! Lol. My driver never changes length and I always have it...need to get rid of a few more tools!
 
#13 ·
mauser06 said:
#17, you stole my idea for after this season! I was thinkin of doing something similar so they are pre made....grab a bucket full with cables and go...making my support stick in the field takes more time than making the set lol....my only worry about any kind of lumber would be it doesn't look natural like a stick....
You would be surprised that you can make even new lumber disappear with a few blades of grass ran down through the the loop of support wire. In CRP they do disappear. I was looking for one I set yesterday with binoculars. Didn't see it, so I walked the trail looking for it possibly knocked/blown over. I found it alright. I walked right through it on the way in and caught my foot in it on the way out.
Next year I'll let the support stakes out in the weather and let them get nice and gray.
That is the way to go though. Super rigid with a short piece of #9, yet small enough to get knocked over or snap when a catch is made.

My thumb to little finger is exactly 9" and that is how I've been setting my loop sizes for the past few years. If I leave my hand behind, I'm really in trouble. lol.
 
#14 ·
Leaving them out all year is a great idea! I do the same with my sticks now and run a few pieces of grass/weed between the stick and cable...another reason I like them opposed to straight #9..I also use the wire/cable to hold grass and weeds for fencing/camo...

Nothing heavy...but a few pieces to break things up and get the critters head in the loop...
 
#15 ·
Fairchild #17 said:
My thumb to little finger is exactly 9" and that is how I've been setting my loop sizes for the past few years. If I leave my hand behind, I'm really in trouble. lol.
After reading that I just had to measure my hand (with the tape measure hanging on my pocket LOL). And I'll be darned if it ain't nine inches and one eighth tip of thumb to tip of pinky. Guess I won't be needing my tape measure on the trap line anymore?
 
#16 ·
I'm remodeling a basement for a couple right now and they had old rough cut lathe boards nailed to the block wall, to which they attached paneling.
The masonry nails rusted out in most places and the lathe was pulling away from the walls and it all had to be removed.
Old, dried up, rough cut, gray colored lathe boards??? Yep, they are getting recycled into snare supports.
Last week they would have all gone into the dumpster without a second thought.
 
#17 ·
Fairchild #17 said:
I was looking for one I set yesterday with binoculars. Didn't see it, so I walked the trail looking for it possibly knocked/blown over. I found it alright. I walked right through it on the way in and caught my foot in it on the way out.
Fairchild #17 said:
Hahaha had to laugh cause I do the exact same thing every morning. Staring through binoculars for a cable 20 yards away is tough.

The hand thing is a useful quick way to measure, surfs up dudes. lol
 
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