By Joe Kosack furbearer steps on the pan between vertically closing jaws. Ensure the trap is bedded firmly underwater, in the mucky dirt you've excavated from the hole. Push around the circumference of the trap's open jaws to confirm it's stationary. To increase a pocket set's curbside appeal, splash some water on the pocket's perimeter and slick it down with a wet hand to a glistening finish in secluded areas. Doing this where there's human traffic could draw thieves. Using a dishwashing liquid container to squirt fish oil up the bank from the pocket's entrance also is effective. Fish oil, however, again can draw skunks and opossums. Traps can be anchored with a shortchain and stake, a drowning wire, or a drag. Traps chains should have a minimum of two swivels. It's a good idea to hold off making pocket sets until muskrats and minks are in season, because the potential to catch one of them in this set is substantial, regardless of where you trap, including in freestone streams. The pocket set also is a good choice for taking raccoons in waterways after freeze-up: moving water helps keep traps operational. JANUARY 2019 35