Well, I guess the header says it all. I’m building a scissor deadfall trap for fox, but I starting to worry that deer might enter the trap. Is there any tips to avoid this? I really do not want that to happen.

Maybe a scent to attract fox?

That is the plan, but I do not think that will stop the deer. My first idea was to put the entrance, so it will be awkward for the deer to bend its neck in. But then I was thinking that I do not really know what the deer find uncomfortable.

Why not set a snare for the fox? Put a cross timber just above the snare to force deer to step over it. Fox goes under and through the snare. I had lots of success with this method. Never got any deer.

It is illegal to trap fox with snare where I live. Which is why I’m thinking deadfall.

quote:

Originally posted by aresm:
It is illegal to trap fox with snare where I live. Which is why I’m thinking deadfall.

Wow, well, that's a bummer.

If you are building a dead fall big enough for a deer to get killed.

It way bigger then needed for fox.

No.2 sized leg hold traps work great for fox

No, it will not kill a deer, but it may be stuck, and eventually die. Which is highly unwanted, for obvious reasons.

Deer are always an issue at the trap site. They seem to be very curious animals and usually trip most of the flat sets and a few dirt holes that I place. I have only caught a few fox so I am no expert but I would get a MB550 and set that up as a dirt hole. Deer cant get trapped and it is much more natural looking then something as big and clunky as as a deadfall, meaning a greater chance of success.

Switch to a smaller deadfall with figure 4 sticks and meat bait.

I've got deer in a snare before, even with the stick above like Ann said. And like the Canadian said, some deer are going to nose under.

However, a deer in a snare is like the cartoon Tazmanian Devil, a minute or so of those gyrations will throw any log of 50 lbs or so off. Set the old timey deadfall if you are able to. A doe with broken legs from a car, threw my 90 lb Son off before he could get his penknife out. I envy your use of deadfalls.

Im with the Canaddian and have used steel traps tp get fox, dig a cave to fit a fox or a hole at an angle and set the trap backi] in aways, You will get a skunk or coon now and then..

Or tie a bird feather up about 2 ft. high where it will flutter in then wind and a #2 trap covered under the feather and set your trap where deer won't get in it, both work but keep in mind a trap has no prejucice towards skunks, coyotes, bobcats, ringtails or Lynx, no such thing as a fox trap, just a varmint set..