Shurshot, I purchase Peat at Lowes or local hardware store, largest bundles.
Peat always seems moist and wet in those bundles. I like to dry Peat before I sift and use.
I purchase now or early spring (for next season's trapping). I cut panel out of large side, leaving about a 2" edge around sides and corners to keep Peat in place. I then store opened bundles in loft or out of the way place. While stored for a long period, Peat (bundle) will dry out with this opened panel I created.
Dry bundles will save me time. Now I don't need to spread out Peat in Sun to dry. Plus dry Peat sifts easier.
Buckwheat Hulls vs. Peat
Every trap covering has their advantages and drawbacks.
Peat may be inexpensive and ready available compared to Hulls.
Peat & Hulls work about the same in the field.
Clean, bagged Hulls is less pre-season work. Open bag and ready to use.
Peat is cheap covering but requires work to ready for season. Some folks sift Peat at set. I sift before the season. Personal choice here.
So one has to use different trap coverings to find what fits their needs.
There is no perfect covering for all weather conditions.
A story...
Back in the late '80's, Andy Stoe introduced clean, Buckwheat Hulls in a bag. I used them right away for winter trapping. I missed alot of Fox that season.
Next year at a Trappers Rendezvous, I talked with Andy of my misses using his Hulls. He said,' Come around to the back of my trailer.' Andy got down on the ground and began to give me personal instructions on how to bed with Buckwheat Hulls!! He made a small trap bed, placed Hulls in bottom of bed, bedded trap, then placed Hulls inside and outside jaws. No Hulls on pan. Then finished set with sifted dirt.
My problem, Andy pointed out, was I was covering my pan with Hulls. Fox foot was skidding or moving or slipping on Hulls/Pan. Andy said Not cover Pan with Hulls. To top dress set with sifted dirt or grass clippings.
That tip solved misses in years to come.
