Coyotes out west are shot at from planes, trapped by government men, poisoned, and m-44ed almost year round. Our population per square mile is so far below that of the east that it's like comparing apples to oranges.

I stand corrected. I've never trapped out west. I sopke out of turn! I should have first asked...
What area did you gain your vast knowledge of trapping the metropolitan Eastern coyote?

Onecat wrote...A lot of the problem with you "eastern boys" is the fact that there are very few actual coyote trappers per say in the east. A bunch of fox trappers that got invaded by coyotes so now you have a group of people running around acting like coyote trappers. Your sets still look like fox sets, your locations are still fox locations, and your bait and lure methods are still those of fox trappers

That may apply in some places East of the MS river but definitely does not apply to Upper Michigan. Coyotes have been here and have outnumbered fox 5 to 1 for over 100 years. Michigan had State trappers and bounty wolfers chasing coyote relentlessly here for at least 50 of those 100 years. Anyone who doesn't think coyote have the ability to learn quickly and become wary of about everything concerning human has never trapped where hordes of trappers pressed them continually year around year after year. Asa

Yes, it depends on the area. Been trapping coyotes here since 1987. Fox before then and coyotes after that year. Like a lightswitch, the coyotes were here and the fox were all but gone. I/m a retard but I/ve managed to learn a couple things in the 22 years of trapping coyotes part time. Now, being the retard I am maybe onecat can tell me the HUGE difference in set construction (other than the obvious stuff) between fox and coyotes. I/m up for all the learning I can get my hands on.

Keep it together gentlemen,I too am wondering how you strictly target fox or coyote but in different ways. I have watched alot of videos and am a good listener on such topics and know there are alot of you regulars that put up plenty of canines each year which is why I asked the origial question "Are coyotes diggers"? Onecat, I believe you have an open invitation to express your thoughts. I sure would like to hear your experiences.

What is the obvious stuff to you?

I'll do a little listening and then we'll go from there possibly.

Most fox trappers are most likely going to be using a single small dirthole with a small exposed dirt pattern in front of it. In Pa and Ohio both we have high numbers of trappers more than likely high numbers of them using exactly this style of setup. If coyotes are going to have a bad experience with trappers then most likely this will be the set involved.

Bic there are places in the east with high numbers of animals and no competition also, along with guys who appear to be heros for racking up big catches in those places.

You don't know much about trapping if you think that's all there is to it. Looks like you'll never be one of the heros to put up big numbers.

I always laugh when someone thinks the "numbers" guys have it so easy. Yes you have to have them but you still have to know what you're doing more than most-have a heck of a work ethic-drive and a plan of attack. Nobody goes out and catches hundreds of anything with a lot of prior planning and more knowledge and work ethic than most.

Usually the ones who make it seem like the number guys have it "so easy" are the talkers and not the do-ers. Looking for an excuse why THEY haven't done it.........

Where do you figure it is going to be easier to catch big numbers, in a state with low trapper numbers or high trapper numbers not counting the animal numbers.

High number coyote catches have been done in alot of eastern states as well as western. I will not name names, but states... NY, IN, AL, MS, LA, TN, and plenty of western states.

It takes the motivation, know how, and of course properties and time. With effort and personality anyone can get enough properties to trap large numbers. That is the main key with large numbers of any animal- to get on as many different family groups as possible.

High number coyote catches have been done in alot of eastern states as well as western. I will not name names, but states... NY, IN, AL, MS, LA, TN, and plenty of western states.

It takes the motivation, know how, and of course properties and time. With effort and personality anyone can get enough properties to trap large numbers. That is the main key with large numbers of any animal- to get on as many different family groups as possible.

Onecat,do you have any pictures of your catches? Not calling you on this or anything like that but just like to see impressive catches.I agree with being versatile and expanding your properties to bump numbers but let's say there are 10 trappers who cover a 30 mile square area and are all experienced trappers. Do you feel under these circumstances that all could put up 100 canines in a single season? How many canines live in a 30 square mile area given there is cover,food,water,etc.? I feel to put up the high numbers there has to be a large population and low trapping pressure.

Would you call In, La, Al, Ms, Tn states with high numbers of trappers or low numbers of trappers?

No I am not hung up on big cathces, yes some are impressive because it is still ALOT of work.

I have not taken pictures in years.

It would of course take the animals in that area, and no area is the same. But yes they could with all those factors taking place.

As far as the "obvious stuff" (and I should have been more clear) that would be things like trap spacing, trap size, staking and "possible" lure selection.

To me lure is not the obvious. I think too many people think that ever snake oil out there is good and will work just because the guy making it says it will. Lure selection is to me the most important part of the set. I do not want a lure that makes him tip toe in or roll. I feel that lure plays a more important part in making coyotes look smart than anything else. Many people use 4 or 5 lures and never keep written records of what really worked and what didn’t. When they encounter a digger they just assume it is a smart coyote when in fact if they looked at records they may find it only happens with one lure.

That is a good point and possibility M. Howard! I never thought of it that way. I have had very little digging at sets in a lifetime of trapping but of course I only use one brand of lures. I'm not one to worry about rock solid bedding either like packing dirt in around jaws, etc. I simply place the trap into position and then grap each spring and scooch the trap back and forth a few times so it isn't easily tipped but not necessarily rock solid. Being I have never had a digging problem I think bedding may be rated too high on the totem pole of important factors for canine trapping at least. As I've mentioned before, I have trapped in deep snow for 60 years and many times traps are simply slipped into the soft snow with no solid footing and I seldom have a problem when setting that way. Catch a few toes now and then but as for as digging, very little to maybe none. Asa

I think the correlation from lure to digging is simply cross contamination (lure smell on the trap). That doesn't take much to do...as a lot of these smells become airborne as soon as you open the lure bottle cap. I also noticed this to a limited degree with fresh wax on traps years back...Had a couple diggers with fresh waxed trap. I now make sure they air out a couple weeks before planting them. Not saying your wrong, Howard. Always good to think about things. I think its important for the odor to be down the hole and not get on the trap bed. How many times does a drop fall off the stick right on the trap pattern. Maybe I/m the only clumsy one.

I agree that I think its quite probable that contaminated traps and equipment from transporting loud lures and stinky baits right with or in the same space is likely the most significant digging factor. As I said, I think trap bedding although being a factor is many times rated too high as a digging explanation. However, M. Howard's thoughts are something to be considered. Asa

On thought to be considered... How can trappers east and west wear the same pair of gloves for everything, setting, luring and dispatching and stiil catch fur and not just the bigtimers either??