So I have a question. I had a coyote check out my set 3 times and he didn't shy away from the trap or set or anything and worked it like he was supposed to(trailcam). The thing is his feet stepped all around the pan but not on it. Any answers or solutions. I have pics so if you want to look at them just ask.

I would say trap placement.

I don't know if that is really the problem. I couldn't really have known where the coyote was going to step. This set is blocked on all sides because he was leery at first but came right in these times.

Could you send the trail cam footage?

What kind of set, dirt hole? If so, give a shot of urine an inch to left and throw a coyote dropping on the other side of the dirt hole. Checking out the 3 scents should get good foot movement and on the pan.

I'd be curious about were the trap was placed and what "worked it like he was suppose to" means to you.
You will miss one every once in awhile but I have a hard time imagining miss one 3 times if the trap was in the right place and he worked it like he was suppose to. Unless ones acting really cautious or screwy there foot is going to be in the same place in reference to their nose and there's also little things you can do to help him know where to put his foot. I just don't miss too many coyotes that commit to a set let alone 3 times.

Everyone misses from time to time. It’s just a pattern miss. At most dirt hole sets. The animal will show you how he wants to be caught. Lots of times it’s just like chess. He moves you move type thing. Many people get caught up in wanting a = standard = 9 back and 2 inch to the right trap placement. But Del Kramer was one of the best old timers of the day. When asked = Where does the trap go?? His response was = The Coyote steps everywhere. The more coyotes you catch the more = feel you will get for = How close. How far to set trap back.

It's not you not knowing where he is going to step, it's you not making him step where you want him to. subtle guiding will fix most of your problems.

I would love to see examples of guiding from anyone and everyone willing to share. I struggle with guiding and the only thing that seemingly increases my odds is to use the most attractive baits/lures as possible which adds more steps on the pattern.

If you're going to use guiding for coyotes, you need to either use droppings or something that will hurt when they step on it, anything thorny or sharp sticks.

Maybe try a step down or trench set? They are easier to guide them with this type of set but not always. Any guiding you may do should be suttle or natural looking or it could cause them to shy away.

I truthfully think there's a fundamental problem if you miss a coyote 3 times. Or that is one of those 1 in a thousand moments. My suggestion is fix the problem.
With what little we know from this post my "guess" is it didn't really commit to the set. It worked it cautiously or spooky. Reaching out with its head farther than normal for a quick distance sniff then leaves. Those are difficult to catch because the feet aren't where they normally are and there really isn't any foot movement. If this is the case it's more than likely a really cautious coyote or as sportsman eluded to the bait or lure didn't invoke a lot of intrest.

Good friend of mine puts up daily catches as big as anyone I've ever heard of and his dirt pattern is big and very open. He uses a great bait and hammers them because he gets great foot movement at the set.

As 20scout mentioned with coyotes the guiding has to be subtle and more a suggestion than say blocking. You can get away with a decent size rock or pile of lose dirt or cow chip or small stick on one side if it looks natural but you can't block all around the trap with something that obvious. Marble size clump of dirt at dirt hole here or there. Little thicker grass or ground duff there(don't over do this). At a blended set just a tiny bit of a more bare smoother spot on trap pan can do it. Get the trap in the mostly right spot and make the pan an inviting place to step will do it most times.

I'm a strong believer of great baits and lures. A coyote that take 4 steps within 7" of the attractor is much easier to catch than one that takes one step 12" from it.

I will add catching hard pressured coyotes is a bit different game as far as using guiding and trap placement.

One other thing to consider is a lot of cameras can make coyotes nervous or down right spook them at sets. I think a lot more people hurt themselves at a set using them than help. If you want to watch coyotes work sets do it during the off season until you learn how to use them and get enough experience with them to be able to read the body language of a coyote to know whether the coyote is being influenced by the camera.

Just bed another trap where it has been stepping.

I ,like Seth would like to know more about your set construction, what bait you are using , how deep is your hole , what angle is the hole . How far is the trap from the edge of the hole ?

The simple solution for me has been to do away with any guiding , anything bigger than a BB seems to get me refusals. But the very best thing I have done is give them a reason to move they’re feet. A well built double dirt hole with two different baits , both fairly mild but distinct in odor, 20” between the 12” deep holes. When finished both holes are angled slightly towards the trap which is set with the dog in line with the bottom edge of the two holes . If you put a weed stem in each hole they would cross over your trap.

The next best set is my most productive flat set and that is a well constructed pipe set with one of two baits that a coyote wants to eat. With the set constructed right and a good bait the coyote will lick and bite and pull at the pipe trying to take it with him and he can’t do that standing still if you’ve done your part.

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Where I can I use a deep step down with the hole in the bottom at a fairly shallow angle . If they work it all they step on the shelf every time .

I agree with ADC. I am by no means a big coyote trapper, but was thinking just place another trap out just a bit.

Coyote had holy ghost watching over him, patience and he will come back and you'll have your day.

Another trap or place a rock or stick where you don't want him to step. Make his target smaller. You are over the biggest hurdle by getting the coyote to your set.

Wish threads like these were advice is given always had a response back as far as what was tried and the results. I think it would be as valuable as the advice given. I think if people take them time to share advice it would be great if everyone shared the results.