What do you guys do?

[multibeard]

Originally posted by model 70
as a rookie, can someone please explain these carps and covers and what they're used for?

The pan cover is used to keep dirt from getting under the trap pan so that the pan is unable to travel far enough to allow the trap to fire. I always used wax paper that I also wrinkled up before putting over the pan to stop any noise when the paper is stepped on.

A trap cap is a device that goes around the trap pan when setting. You can pack the dirt solid around it while setting without the trap firing. IMO If you are setting in sand like I have around here it wouldn't pack solid enough that it wouldn't sift down under the pan in time.