How to Make a Sifter to Trap With

A dirt sifter is used in dry land trapping. Land trapping is generally for coyote, fox and bobcat. Trap sets are made in the dirt and then the trap is covered over using the surrounding dirt. A problem arises when the dirt contains small rocks and hard chunks of dirt that can get stuck between the trap jaws allowing the animal to escape. To remedy this problem, trappers use a screen sifter to sift dirt over the trap. A dirt sifter can be made at home using 1-by-4 pine wood and wire mesh.

Things You'll Need

  • Pine board, 1-by-4 inches, 3 feet long
  • Wood glue
  • Finishing nails, 3 inch
  • Hammer
  • Staple gun
  • Staples, 1/4 inch
  • Wire cutters
  • Wire mesh, 6 mesh size
  • Wood sealer
  • Paint brush, 1 inch
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a 1-by-4 inch pine board into two 12 inch lengths and two 6 inch lengths.

    • 2

      Spread wood glue on the 1 inch end of one 6 inch board. Place the board so the 4 inch side is standing upright and press it against the inside corner of one end of a 12 inch board with the 4 inch side upright. Adjust the two boards so the bottoms, tops and corners are even.

    • 3

      Drive three finishing nails evenly spaced through the outer side of the 12 inch board and into the edge of the 6 inch board. Hammer the nails completely, sinking the heads into the 12 inch board.

    • 4

      Attach the second 6 inch board to the opposite end of the 12 inch board in the same manner as the first board.

    • 5

      Lay the second 12 inch board over the ends of the two 6 inch boards. Attach it with glue and nails the same as the opposite side making sure the tops, bottoms and corners of the boards are even. Allow 2 hours for the glue to dry.

    • 6

      Paint a coat of wood sealer all around the frame and allow it to thoroughly dry. Once dry paint a second coat of sealer on the frame and allow it to dry.

    • 7

      Lay the rectangle frame on the mesh wire and cut out a square of mesh following the outside of the frame. Place the screen on top of the frame, square it all around, and anchor it in place by sinking staples through the mesh and into the 1 inch edge of the frame. Place staples 2 inches apart on the 12 inch sides and 1 inch apart on the 6 inch sides.