Coyotes will often sneak in side trail when coming to a bait pile...
One (above photo) that wasn't sneaky enough...

Doubled swiveled, disposible staked 7x7- 5/64th Gregerson 14" loop on my #9 wire snare support on a grassy trail, going to a bait pile.
This was on a trail that the coyote made, as he wouldn't travel mine.
Netted me a nice coyote, next trip though.

....and there he is! (Above photo!)

Average day, late December.
No snow yet, but frozen ground.
'Coons picked up coming into bait piles.

I get PM's from trappers, wanted to know about accidental dog caught in snares.

White 1/16th in a trail..can you even see it?
It's dead center just under the duck stick!

Above photo shows a well blended snare in a trail by using native vegatation. The snare is dead center of the picture. If you look hard enough, you can make out part of the bottom loop...( but by then, you're caught! )

What's your average loop size for these eastern coyotes? I've seen you post 16 inches, 15 inches, etc. Is 10-12 inch too small?

A bigger loop isn't going to affect you if the bottom of the loop is the proper distance from the ground.The bottom of the loop is what catches the neck while going through the snare causing the top of the loop to fall or close onto the back of the neck behind the head.

So what is the best height off the ground?

A very good question!

Coyote sizes vary from region to region.
Here adult males can get 40-50lbs, (true weight) easily.
I have caught a number of 25-35lbers too.( More of those than the others!)

Rather than trying to figure all these things out, I would go with
a 14" loop and make the TOP OF IT 27" off the ground.

This can vary an inch of so of course, depending on the set and the actual trail.
Slanted trails will be different, as will crawl unders but then, we're talking about a level trail here going from A to B.
Don't worry about the bottom of the loop, just go with a 14" loop, 27" AT THE TOP and the bottom will take care of itself!

You go with that and you'll do well!

Thanks LT. Another question. You mentioned the crawl unders. I have a friend who wants me to set some snares at crawl unders on a fence keeping his goats in. He says the lowest fence wire is like 9-10 inches off the ground. How do you set these coyote snares at the crawl unders?

Lt.Grey, is that saying that you feel the top of the loop is more critical than the bottom from the ground? This question isn't written to feel like an attack on you,so don't take it that way.I was just curious with the 27 inches to the top.

These are ( photos of ) a trail snare and they are from both sides, coming and going.
Same set, different angle.
1x19 5/64th on a kill pole.

tbn, It works out to be the same really.
When a coyote stops a snare and stalls out, it's usually the lock he sees staring at him in the face! Too many trappers try to "force the coyote" through the snare!



WV, go unders..... These can be made and enhanced by the use of a tile spade and then left to age or used right away. ( I prefer the aged ones .)
With the space you gave, a coyote can enter at any point, so you will need to find a "swell" or low point as coyote natuarally use these 1st!

I will try to find my post that I had on the subject and hopefully help you out on this.

Yes, I can understand that. Since I always see coyotes on a dead trot on trail,not field or food source, then I just picture them trotting through the snare. Thanks for the reply.

Always glad to help.
Listen, my way, is just that, mine....it doesn't mean it's better than anyone elses and I do not wish to portray it as that...but, it does work for me and if another trapper can pick up a few pointers and use them on his (or her) line, so much the better!

That is cool! Like I said, I always pay attention from the ground to the bottom of the loop,but you gave me another angle to consider. I don't picture them stalling out like you brought up. Thanks

LT, we are limited to a max loop size of 12" here and 12" off the ground for the bottom of the loop, would a tear drop loop design be more advantageous to achieve your 27" height to the top or doesn't it really matter?