What is your opinion?

If you mean tracks on the pattern with no catch then I'd say it is a combination of trap placement in relation to lure/attractor/wind direction and approach route of coyote.

a grinner got there first! and some froze down traps once in a while. them two seem to be my biggest problem right now.

Trap stabilization. (assuming we are talking about the animal is committed to the set)

improper guiding

coyote didn really work the set, it was a one step, on sniffer.

get him later when hes more interested.

Improper guiding and trap placement. A certain percentage of coyotes are going to step up to examine the hole and sniff the lure and move onward without further working the set. This is regardless of the lure type or brand used, I've experimented with at least 40 of the best formulas available with the same result. This is why honing one's guiding techniques and trap placement down to a near science is essential to harvesting a maximum number of visiting coyotes. Ace

Asa, do you have a "usual set back and offset" ??

I know terrain and other factors come into consideration, just curious if you have a standard that you start with?

Oh, and the reason for my misses? Trap frozen in

As I said about honing, one has to work on trap placement according to the type of backing the set has, the amount of step down if any, the angle of a dirthole, etc. As a rule of thumb I keep my trap pans for coyotes back about 9" to 10" and offset to the right 1" to 1 1/2" from the hole or scent object. That is about where the stoppers stop when one peek into the hole or one sniff of the lure is enough to satisfy them and then they move on. Those who set crouded at the mouth of a hole will miss the percentage coyotes that turn away without further working the set and all but a few will step up at least that close. Again as example, this is assuming a hole dug at a 45 degree angle into an adequate backing. Holes dug more verticle might have the coyote stepping up closer to see down into the hole and holes dug more horizintal might have the coyote crouching from back a further distance to see into the hole. More vertical holes also may have coyotes peering in from the side or back rather than looking in from the front wher the trap is placed. More horizontal holes make it very difficult to figure where the target foot may be when an animal is crouched. Ace

Do most of you use hole sets for coyotes? I use more flat sets than hole sets for coyotes...on foxes, it's totally reversed.

Good answers though Ace and Billfrank...that has been my thoughts too!

Thanks Ace

I have found flashy dirtholes with loud lures work better on pups and yearling coyotes and well blended post and flat sets with milder lures work best on wise 'ol coyotes. That is why I mix them up when making a grouping of sets. Ace

Ace,
You are reinforcing what I saw/heard at a demo in Evart by a certain Biologist. Your set back is about the same, your approach as you described in your last post is the same. The gentlman said the he targets the alpha male and if he gets him, his chances at a double skyrocket. There was also mention of backing size and distance the animal will feel safe in approaching.

Thank you again for you insite

Humbly yours,

Freepop

free ya speakin of mark june by chance ??

Yes Gary.

To me, it was/is more than just a coincidence that two people have come up with some of the same conclusions.

I wonder if Ace has ever met him?

Common knowledge...I remember Mark June way back before he hooked up and got "let go" by Tom M.....What he's sayin' isn't new... maybe new to you...

When i switched from offsetting and trap back 9-10 inches, my coyote cacth increased dramatically. to the point, i wont ever go back to guiding for coyotes.

not saying asa is wrong by ANY means, thast just MY experiance.

I learned the remake walkthrough from Miranda. talk about increasing catches on remakes...

CKS, When i switched from offsetting and trap back 9-10 inches, my coyote cacth increased dramatically. to the point, i wont ever go back to guiding for coyotes......I learned the remake walkthrough from Miranda. talk about increasing catches on remakes... .....so you no longer offset? No longer 9-10 back? Do you mind explaining TM walkthrough after a remake, I have his book here, it's in storage....just curious. On coyote remakes......it's a weird deal.....some areas I'll catch multiple coyotes in the same trap.....other areas require a clean fresh set....just odd how that seems. I always try to have a clean-fresh set ready for Mr Standoffish...

Probably my favorite coyote pic, had a dear friend ride along that day...

Another favorite, love those pale coyotes!

All attitude....I hate mange!

Never met Mark June or even relate alpha males to my experiences. It those aged and experienced mommas with a liter of pups that are the most wary i've trapped.
As for set backing, I believe a backing should be low enough for the coyote to be able to see over. Wary coyotes are many times reluctant to lower their heads at the set unless they can see clearly around for a reasonable distance. Ace

Bristleback:



rebed your trap in the same spot.

now, take your hand and make a trail over the trap, make it like a ridge about 2-3 inches high on each side, right over the trap.

i place a new smell on the ridge and a shot of urine right at the trap.

make sure the ridges starts at one end and all the way to the other side of the circle...