Hi, Chris. I’m from NW Ohio. I agree it is hard to keep decoys alive during the winter and monitoring the trap isn’t fun either. I don’t have my trap out right now but normally I have it out late fall into early winter and then sporadically through the rest of the winter months. I either cover the trap at night with an old heavy quilt or I bring the trap into the garage at night. Even then though the decoys just don’t last very long. Try covering it with something heavy and see how long the decoys live. I think it’s better if the trap is on the ground because the ground kind of insulates it and the cold air doesn’t surround the entire trap. Does that sound logical? When there’s snow I don’t bother trapping. Now you make me want to get my trap out again. 115 is a great number!! Congratulations.
Tammy