Sitting here and reached for my drink and it started to fall off the desk. If it was my right hand I could of caught it.
But it was on the left side and my reaction was slower.
This had me thinking about are animals the same as with a dominant right or left? Would their left be slower to react if they stepped on the trap pan than if they was right handed?
Would offest to the left be the better choice or wouldn't it matter with animals?

Offset right, most animals are right footed. Left may be slower to react, but most lead into trap sets with right. We had this discussion about three weeks ago. Some fascinating reading on the first post!

I agree, most animals are right footed just like a majority of humans are right handed. I have watched animals from blinds for years and a good percentage of time when an animal like a coyote is stalled out in front of the set, when they decide to proceed forward they make thier first step with the right foot. I have been offsetting right for many years and myself and my past students all catch 90%+ of all catches by the right front paw. After what I have seen I would rather if not right I would go dead center than offset left. I think it is a small detail that helps add up maximum numbers one by one by one. Asa

Not to get all technical, but if they are working a dirthole and are make the first step with the right into the target spot, wouldn't that mean they are left handed since they are going to step up with the right and stand on that to dig with the left?

Like I said, either way off-setting right is still the way to go. In almost all my photos of catches, the VAST majority are held by the right front.

I have watched scores of fox and coyote approach sets. Some of course come running right in without hesitation so it wouldn't make any difference the exact position of the trap pan. Many others stop in front of the set (assuming guiding techniques are bringing them in on a direct approach and notfrom the sides or backside) and look over the area in every direction, sniff the set and air for danger, perhaps fidget around a bit nervously at times and then when they decide everything is OK they proceed cautiously forward. If the trap pan was back 9" to 10" as I set then they would have perhaps 3 or 4 steps to make until they were close up to the hole for digging. On the other hand when they make that right footed critical step forward that might be as far as they ever go to more closely peek into the hole or more closely sniff the lure and then walk away. No matter what brand lure one uses that will happen a certain percentage of times, its just the nature of coyotes to be that way and I have experimented with at least 40 proven formulas. When making hole sets I have learned to make a small pile of dirt right in front of the hole as this entices one more step forward to see over the dirt pile and into the hole. The pile of dirt is another small detail that shows a notable decrease in tracks standing just back from the trap that never went any farther before walking away. Asa

if you really wanted to catch them by the left foot, you might try setting back father than normal and offsetting, the only problem i see there is if they come from the side there is a lot of space between the hole and trap, but then you might get more back foot catches


hope you like my drawing

where the trap is located is normal placement, so if you target the left foot, you might want to put it where the left foot is at, the picture is just to show you what i meant incase you didnt understand it

Both dogs I test lures with in dirt holes use their left paw to dig and their right is farther back.

Cool pic kid!

I can remember a trapper from Maine who alwys off-set to the left, as he claimed coyotes dug at a bait hole with their right foot. He caught lots of 'yotes too!

That's why I questioned about that. I didn't have in mind on catching them as they aproached but more as they started to dig.
So if they had a more dominant left or right I would want my trap on the weaker side of their reflexes to get that good hold catch.

I never owned a dog that dug and I really never paid attention when one was digging. Do K9s keep the foot that has the weight on it stationary? Or do they move it around once in the while as they dig? Like reposition their crutch foot I guess I will call it as they dig?

I usually offset to the high side. From everything I've experienced and mostly read, they spend more time on the high side.
Not sure if it increases my catch or not, I just usually set on the high side.

jcb4x wrote...That's why I questioned about that. I didn't have in mind on catching them as they aproached but more as they started to dig.

Problem with that is you'll learn from years of experience with coyotes that all of them will not dig regardless of which lure/bait or how many lures/baits one places at a set. It is just the nature of some coyotes to step up, take a quick peek, sniff and walk away so all one will find is a track back the distance from the coyote's nose near the hole and the position of his paw which is generally a right paw print offset somewhat right of the set pattern center. Asa

ii usually put mine on the right side, i guess cause i'm right handed but i caught a cat this mornin by the front left foot.

That Cat, obviously didn't read the rule book or he would have step with his other foot!

Pic one - Would you predict a left or right paw catch?



Pic two - Again, Left or right?

I made some pre-bait holes to check for target animals several weeks ago. It took weeks but the k9 sign is starting to show up more often now.

One of the problems I had is I couldn't see the tracks clear enough due to the type of soil. I hauled a bucket of sandy loam from the other side of the field. I placed the soft dirt in front of the hole and behind to look for tracks. I placed another fresh half of woodchuck in the hole two days ago.
I doesn't look like it but the hole is 18 to 24 inches deep. The first night I was visited by a coon a nd a grinner. Last night I had a yote come in and check it out but didn't remove the bait.

Here is the hole after I first added the soft dirt.


Here is the yote tracks coming in from the left side. ( No guides added)

Thanks for the pics!

Here is a closer veiw:


Further away:


Here is a picture of the loose dirt that was dug behind the hole.

Another thing about wanting to catch the animals as they start to dig...
When the animal starts to dig, the placement of the feet is harder to control so you have a chance of them missing the pan. If you have no pan tension, you chances of toecatches or empty traps are increased as you won't have the animal's foot "falling through the pan" like when you catch them on the approach. Another possible outcome if you have your trap tight to the hole and not enough dirt above the trap, an animal could possible catch the jaw of the trap and flip it out of the bed.

I would guess right on both Denny. Because he would stop then lead with his right. Just a guess though.