They'll rust plenty with some use. Dying doesn't hurt Jim but since you're covering them up with dirt anyway I'm sure one could get by without it. Waxing to keep the rust in check is probably more important.
I'd elaborate but this isn't the trapping forum and I don't want to get anyone's panties in a wad.
Nuts!
Every time I think I have something figured out......
At the risk of hijacking this thread any further Jim think about it.....you're burying them in the ground anyway so what does it matter what they look like? Rust just adds color which doesn't hurt but you can do that in a half hour of boiling in log wood dye or walnut husks if you have walnut trees in your AO.. Just like any other tool with moving parts you'll be fighting that rust after a year or two....(that's why they sell wax).
