#668017 - 04/05/08 07:33 PM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: Canine Slayer]
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Mark June
trapper
Registered: 05/17/07
Posts: 301
Loc: Ft. Calhoun, Nebraska
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Coyote trapping is hot boys and girls and anyone who tells you otherwise hasn't read this post.
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#668271 - 04/05/08 09:43 PM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: Mark June]
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spataro
trapper
Registered: 04/04/07
Posts: 178
Loc: acme, PA
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I will say it again FFG please,this is got to be some good readin this post is a darn good read as well thanks Mark and everyone else for alot of good stuff in this post
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mike
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#668451 - 04/06/08 07:19 AM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: spataro]
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Asa Lenon
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 2476
Loc: Gulliver, Michigan
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FFG is going to need a 500 page issue for this one, LOL! Ace
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#668513 - 04/06/08 08:32 AM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: Asa Lenon]
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k9.
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 3192
Loc: Brooklyn, Iowa 45 years old st...
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"I also catch more on urine posts here than I ever did in MI "
Mark do you have a theory on this? Population difference? Are you using different urine now from back then?
Is this a fall/winter observation or other time of year?
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2008 One coon One skunk 
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#668536 - 04/06/08 08:55 AM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: k9.]
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k9.
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 3192
Loc: Brooklyn, Iowa 45 years old st...
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I will be out for the rest of the day, but am curious about this. John G and Mark. Each passing day we get more experienced and continue to evolve our methods and theories.
Both of you have extensive experience trapping the UP as does Asa and other Mich trappers on here. However you too have also trapped coyotes in other states especially to the west.
So, if you were loading up your gear this coming fall to trap in the UP for a month or so, what would you be thinking you need to do differently then any other trip you would prepare for? Would you view it that you were going to a "special" place? With "special" coyotes, and that your methodology would need any sort of change?
If so, what would those changes be? And more importantly, why would you not carry those changes over to your western lines?
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2008 One coon One skunk
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#668540 - 04/06/08 08:58 AM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: k9.]
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k9.
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 3192
Loc: Brooklyn, Iowa 45 years old st...
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I am a dead center guy too HLW. Was doing it for years because I saw I was catching more coyotes/fewer misses. Then after getting some Slim Pedersen influence I realized why. Also have seen Conners observations on percentages in his larger Jakes, left to right and center, and it makes sense especially in cases where for wahtever reason the coyote just steps up to the set and walks away, without working it hard. JC is right, you'd probably catch a lot of them anyway as they work the set, but the ones that are "there and gone" with one foot track by the trap are the ones he is upping his percentages on.
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2008 One coon One skunk
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#668593 - 04/06/08 09:43 AM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: k9.]
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Hunter5454
trapper
Registered: 09/22/07
Posts: 82
Loc: Michigan
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Would you view it that you were going to a "special" place? With "special" coyotes,
They are going to a special place, "GODS COUNTRY". Yes, god probably has special coyotes in his country!!
You are really obsessed with U.P. coyotes. You should load up and head north to see what all the U.P. has to offer. 
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#668688 - 04/06/08 11:16 AM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: Hunter5454]
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Asa Lenon
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 2476
Loc: Gulliver, Michigan
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Huntinglone wolf asked...So why does everyone always set there trap back so many inches and off to the right or left?
As K9 already pointed out, some coyotes for whatever reason just step up to the set, take a look at the hole or smell the scent and move onward. Its just the nature for a certain percentage of coyotes to do that regardless of how careful one is or what brand of lure they are using. Perhaps they have a different agenda that is more important to them at the time of the set visit or whatever. I have experimented with at least 40 different lure/bait formulas, many of them sent to me for testing by some of North America's top trappers. Some got a larger percentage of coyotes to work or commit to a set over others but NONE guaranteed every coyote would dig into the hole. I started trapping coyotes placing the trap pan 9" to 10" back of the hole or scent and offset right about 1 1/2" to 2'. Later on I tried some placements right up to the hole but found too many tracks to suit me in the dirt pattern that went on without digging. Eventually I want back to the original placement. If one is having too many pan misses when setting back aways and offset then they need to hone thier guiding techniques by paying attention to where those near misses stood when they examined the hole/scent and why they may have possibly stopped at that point. Over time one sort of works trap placement down to a near science by testing, experience and paying attention to what the coyote might have been thinking. Until one works out guiding techniques, I agree that they might do better by crouding the hole with the trap. Ace
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#668691 - 04/06/08 11:19 AM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: Hunter5454]
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k9.
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 3192
Loc: Brooklyn, Iowa 45 years old st...
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I am not obsessed so mcu with the coyotes there as I am so much understanding the theory and/or difference. You could easily insert the word "eastern" where the word UP is. We have for years discussed east VS west and many accomplished coyote trappers have been involved in those conversations.
Asa has long advocated detail oriented trapping. I agree with him that it takes little time to pay attention to detail, so loss of time is not a concern.
This is not a knock on Asa, it is just a fact that he and Paul Dobbins have both pointed out to me that UP coyote trapping requires more care and attention to details.
What I am asking Mark and John, who have more than just a few weeks here and there trapping experience IN BOTH PLACES (east and west) is what steps would they take if any?. If none than why? If they would take special precautions then why shouldn't they take those same precautions nationwide?
If a coyote is not a coyote nationwide, then why not ALWAYS trap for the hardest ones, and catch them all? You all know what I think, I wanna know what they think.
Can't afford to take out of state vacation trapping trips hunter, but thanks for the thought.
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2008 One coon One skunk
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#668692 - 04/06/08 11:20 AM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: k9.]
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k9.
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 3192
Loc: Brooklyn, Iowa 45 years old st...
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And in the interest of full disclosure, I am home right now changing my clothes because I fell in a creek. Thought some of you may enjoy that.
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2008 One coon One skunk
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#668719 - 04/06/08 11:59 AM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: Asa Lenon]
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John Graham
trapper
Registered: 04/19/07
Posts: 329
Loc: Jordan, Montana
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I guess I set pretty tight to the hole, bone or whatever. I also don't buy into the offset theory as much as some others, so I pretty much go in the center.
BUT, anyone that has paid attention at my demos, or watched one of my videos will see that I am a 'walk through' guy , even for canines. Sure, they aren't as gaudy, or as substantial as the guides on a bona fide 'cat set, but the blocking is there. I started this type of setting many years ago. I KNOW I wasn't the first to do it by any means, but I do know that most of the people I trapped around and with left the pattern open in the front.
I hated to see misses, of any type, and started to make even my canine sets with an outside blocking. That blocking can be almost anything natural at the set; cactus, chunk of wood, half buried rock, or usually, just the sod plug that came out when digging the dirthole.
I can't tell you how many people I've gave instructions to over the years that have sent me photos and called me later and said that the blocking I showed them was all they needed to boost their catch. I have had people watch me make a coyote set, and then ask "Is that it?' lots of times. The reason they asked is because my methods are simple. I use the same basic spacing on my traps, I use the outside blocking method, and I use at least 2 smells at a set. Sure, there is some variety to the size of the hole, maybe a bone vs. a lure holder, whatever. My point is that my sets are, In my opinion at least, the BEST they can be. I don't second guess myself at the set, I don't look for the perfect spot at every location, and tromp all over. IF I get a gut feeling that I need 3 or 4 sets, (or more) to cover a location, I set them. Sometimes it works out, sometimes they don't. I use a lot of dogless traps, as alot of you know, so the position of the 'dog' isn't even a factor.
I use 2 basic sizes of traps, #3's & #4's for coyotes, and 1 1/2's for fox. And, I catch fox and coyotes in set intended for the other lots of times throughout a season. The distance from the hole that the jaw is buried is a bit closer for fox than coyotes, but I still have my coyote traps close, as the blocking makes up for it. Many days I have 90% or more of my catch by the front foot. (don't know which one, Montana canines are both left and right footed apparently). Some days 100% on over twenty animals. BUT, a little weather change, or a full moon, or whatever, and you will have a run or 2 of a high percentage of hind foot catches.
Do I care? NO, they are still caught. I don't worry about it at all, although the circle is just tore up larger on a hind foot catch and it takes more to get it operable sometimes. My point is, I like the walk through method for canines, and I think it is one of the biggest single factors I can say that will really help your catch.
As far as trapping the U.P., sure I would love to go back to some of my old stomping grounds. One of the biggest factors I would say that is differant for me here is that things back there seem to be closer. I know I drive ALOT more miles to fur here than you do back there.
If I had to pack one thing, it would be waxed dirt, especially if you are going to be there very long. Muddy footprints and knee prints setting traps and looking for dry dirt at a location probably cost more canines than any one factor when trapping in that type of terrain. Especially in the red clay. I used to dig out an egg shaped area, about 2 foot long, give or take, and then replace the sod and clay with sand or pit run gravel. I would do that early in the fall, or late summer, and let the animals get used to it. It took some extra work, but those sets came in really handy come October 15th, since alot of areas were almost TOO wet to set. AND, what else could an aspiring young coyote trapper do in the summer? I remember going right out in my dads' hay fields and digging up spots right after baling. I pre- baited a few, but it didn't take long to see that those drew in a lot of skunks. Nowadays, I would dig up spots, and use the waxed dirt.
Anyway, this has turned into a chapter in a book. Sorry it got so long. John
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#668727 - 04/06/08 12:07 PM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: huntinglonewolf]
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MChewk
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 951
Loc: Northern Illinois
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HLW, then how do you know how EASTERN coyotes react? True, there more be more people thus more trappers in Eastern states vs Western states BUT consider that not ALL parts of the country have trappers...especially coyote trappers around every corner.
And besides I think coyotes probably see more "natural" dead smelling things (carcasses) throughout a spring, summer and early fall in the EAST which has little or no ADC control when compared to West.
Just some thoughts on east vs west.
Edited by MChewk (04/06/08 12:08 PM)
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#668800 - 04/06/08 01:26 PM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: Hunter5454]
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Asa Lenon
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 2476
Loc: Gulliver, Michigan
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Hunter wrote...Mark stated on page 3 of this thread that U.P. coyotes have a smaller home range and some tend to be neophobic,(afraid of new things in their homerange).
Never heard that term "neophobic" before Mark mentioned it but it sure fits the wilderness coyotes in this region. I can see a substantial difference in the more "neophobic" coyotes in my region that reside way up in the wilderness compared to ones that live in closer proximity to people. I would have to assume that smaller home ranges in given areas are due to the coyote population vs the food supply. Populations are modest here in the MI U.P. and substantial food sources are always close at hand. Coyotes have been in the U.P. for well over 100 years and only started to appear in lower Michigan in the mid 50's and it took them quite a few more years to develop into large numbers. Michigan State Trappers and bounty wolfers were relentless here in the U.P when I grew up, one could make a living or significantly increase their standard of living between bounty and fur in those days. I have often wondered if coyotes had the ability to pass down genetically their phobias about people and things from the 50 years of the relentless persuit of their ancestors. Ace
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#668827 - 04/06/08 01:41 PM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: huntinglonewolf]
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Billfrank
trapper
Registered: 12/22/06
Posts: 1185
Loc: TEXAS
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A question, I make dirthole sets for coyotes 90% of the time. I dig my hole and have a backing. I use bait that I make down the hole with lure on the backing right by the dirthole and center my trap with the dirthole and the trigger jaw tight against the lip of the dirthole. I catch alot of coyotes and have caught alot by both front feet. So why does everyone always set there trap back so many inches and off to the right or left? A few years ago J.C. Conner did a study on trap placement at dirthole sets for coyotes and his results showed that he had way less misses with the trap dead center and right against the lip of the hole.
How far I set my trap to the hole really depends on what angle did I dig my hole. If my hole is almost straight down I might set closer to the hole. I personally dig my holes at a angle and offset my trap to the right and back 9" or so. The more vertical the hole is dug the futher in the yote has to come in to the set to investigate.
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#668850 - 04/06/08 02:09 PM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: Billfrank]
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Calvin
trapper
Registered: 09/12/07
Posts: 958
Loc: Farminton, Minnesota
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John. By the term "outside blocking" is this blocking located on the opposite side of the trap from the dirthole? (I can envision that with a walk through set) or is this blocking positioned on one side of the trap?
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Any day above ground is a good day.
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#668868 - 04/06/08 02:42 PM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: Hunter5454]
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Asa Lenon
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 2476
Loc: Gulliver, Michigan
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Bill Frank wrote...How far I set my trap to the hole really depends on what angle did I dig my hole. If my hole is almost straight down I might set closer to the hole. I personally dig my holes at a angle and offset my trap to the right and back 9" or so. The more vertical the hole is dug the futher in the yote has to come in to the set to investigate.
Absolutely Bill! That is why I say each trapper needs to work their trap pan placement down to a near science through paying attention and experience for the type and style set they are using. My specs work for me assuming a 45 degree angled hole and the form of guiding, step-down, etc that I generally use. Also, whether lure is placed down a hole, at ground level or some heigth above ground would alter the distance a coyote might be standing from the scent while analyzing it. Ace
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#669046 - 04/06/08 05:14 PM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: Asa Lenon]
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John Graham
trapper
Registered: 04/19/07
Posts: 329
Loc: Jordan, Montana
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Nick, yes, that is a good example of an outside blocking. My main attractor(s), such as bait would be down the hole, topped with some of the loose debris at the set, maybe a little skunky call/cuiosity lure on the upper lip, or inside the hole to keep a little more weather proof. On the INSIDE (towards the trap) of the outside blocking is where the gland lure or urine, or both goes.
Two smells work great here. If you carry one bait, one or two gland based lures, and one or two cuiosity type lures, look at all the DIFFERANT combo's you can have.
I alternate baits after a pint or two, so theres a good chance that remakes will have a completely DIFFERANT smell yet. I don't run all dirtholes, alot of my sets are flat sets with bones, or lure holders, so the variations are many.
Walk throughs work well for several reasons, but the main reason is that you aren't turning the coyote at a 90 degree approach if you set them using the intended line of travel to your advantage. Sure, some coyotes circle, some approach from the back, side, whatever. But, if they work the set, there will be very few that leave footprints on the pattern that aren't caught. If they don't step dead center on the trap, and you only get 3 toes and part of the foot, oh well. If you can't hold a coyote that way on a 24 hour or 48 hour check, you might consider differant traps. No one gets perfect foot/pad catches everytime, at least not in the long haul. The walk through does cut down on misses, and get more by the front foot than anything I've seen yet. Just my opinion of course.
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#669077 - 04/06/08 05:47 PM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: John Graham]
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k9.
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 3192
Loc: Brooklyn, Iowa 45 years old st...
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John that is one of my most productive sets (the walk through). I love it.
Hunter my toes are fine, keep having fun. However I had no idea I was up to 2000 posts. Sheesh, thanks for pointing that out to me. No wonder I'm not getting anything done outside.
Water in the creeks is still very cold by the way.
My whole question is very simple Hunter. You used the word wary in your last post, from generations of being hunted.
Mine in Iowa have also been hunted for generations.
So whats the difference?
You see, to me it is not about whose coyotes are smarter. It's about trappers, myself included, failing to think things through clearly or see the big picture when they have problems on the line. It is about assessing ALL the many variables that influence success or failure on the coyote line, rather than just deciding that the coyotes in thier area are more "wary" than coyotes in other areas.
So, I am asking John and Mark, and you for that matter how they would prepare differently for a line in the UP? I already know that John and Mark do not regard human scent as a major factor. I assume if the UP coyotes are somehow different, that I would hear from them that they will be using kneeling cloth and taking special measures to control such things.
If those special measures are deemed neccessary to catch "special" coyotes in anywhere USA, then why wouldn't some of the best coyote trappers in the country make ALL thier sets for "special" coyotes so that they catch them all?
I would submit what I have already asserted in this thread, that accessability to coyotes, etc is a bigger factor when comparing an east VS west catch. I have trapped in big country, not the UP but big timber. The biggest difference between that and here is here I got a lot of edges to work with, the ability to drive my truck in areas where the coyotes are, and move my gear if I want to with little walking.
You are right about one thing, I am posting too much and quite frankly have other things I should be doing. So I will leave you to it.
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2008 One coon One skunk
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#669091 - 04/06/08 06:04 PM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: k9.]
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Calvin
trapper
Registered: 09/12/07
Posts: 958
Loc: Farminton, Minnesota
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Thanks for shedding more light on the walk through set, John...and the photo, Nick.
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Any day above ground is a good day.
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#669105 - 04/06/08 06:17 PM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: k9.]
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John Graham
trapper
Registered: 04/19/07
Posts: 329
Loc: Jordan, Montana
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K9, I guess I thought I had answered your question, but since you addressed Mark and I by name, I will answer it again (for my part). Honestly, the only thing I would change if I was to go to the U.P. for instance, is waxed dirt.
My sets would be virtually the same, maybe a higher % of flat sets just because sand tends to cave in when you are making dirtholes (unless you dig into the roots of a grass hump or ferns or whatever). I would use the same lures, baits, and combos I do here in Montana. I might be a little more careful about keeping everything dyed and waxed there, because of the rust factor.
I don't think that the coyotes there are any smarter than the coyotes here, on the average. A good coyote trapper there could catch coyotes here, and vice-versa. I think that a western trapper has to think "big" to be really successful, and thats just because of the diferance in coyote density. Remember, for every western coyote trapper that catches 100 coyotes, there might be 50 that catch 2 a season. Yes, coyotes are coyotes.
I hope this answers your question about MY opinion on things. I think this has been a good thread, it has almost 4000 'hits' and still going.
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#670054 - 04/07/08 08:31 AM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: Hunter5454]
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k9.
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 3192
Loc: Brooklyn, Iowa 45 years old st...
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Thanks John, sorry to be so "needy". I would love for you to expand on thinking "big" but that's a whole nother thread. Big country trapping is different as far as location "thinking" is concerned. Each section in my state is filled with travelways and barriers to coyote travel that intersect and give you lots of OK coyote locations, but the truly hot locations that rack up numbers are a different story. I am talking now that special saddle on the ridge that every passing coyote hits, etc.
Hunter I would love to see you at NTA. Thanks for your response. I have always thought this part of your response might make some good common sense.
"Are wilderness coyotes with little human contact more wary, suspicous or whatever word you want to use?"
That led me to wondering, what does human scent mean to coyotes from different areas. Here, human scent can mean danger, but it can also mean a feeding opportunity as our coyotes feed off of gut piles where lots of guys have stood around smoking and gutting deer. Also in farming areas human activity such as farming can be a feeding opportunity for coyotes, as is observed on a regular basis by farmers, yet the same coyote will run from a hunter. A coyote hunting by the guys mowing hay will ignore them as long as they continue thier routine passes with the mower, but let them stop the tractor, and he will disappear.
Human scent in a primitive wilderness area or big timber area is something a coyote can avoid and does not come across every day, so it stands to reason that it might mean something different to coyotes from different areas. Then, you get a guy like Mark June, who is a nationally recognized coyote trapper, who says that Nebraska coyotes are harder to take then the Michigan ones were, and his thoughts on his first night catches of Mi coyotes intrigues me, as that is when human scent will be the heaviest.
That experience throws out the only logical theory that I have been entertaining regarding East VS west coyotes. I could buy that if a coyote has rarely encountered human scent that he may avoid it, not that he knows it's a threat, but it is something new to him.
If a coyote can't eat it, screw it, pee or crap on it he has very little use for it.
I agree a set should look natural, I think visuals are very important.
Back to the subject of targeting alpha males, or alpha coyotes. In fall fur trapping, what is the advantage of that other than bragging rights? I have yet to have a fur buyer say I'll give you $100 for that one cause he was an alpha male.
Then, how do you know he is an alpha without seeing him interact with other coyotes? I can look at him and tell you he is an older, woofy old dog, but that does not mean he's an alpha.
Mark I will be buying your book, so am not fishing for free information here. I just fail to see the advantage or for that matter ability to set for alphas and also know that you have one once you caught him.
I would agree that a guy might throw in a subtle flat set, or blended trap on just a dropping to fool a smarty now and then, but that's just coyote trapping. Nothing special about that.
Also John G and any of you who would know. Waxed dirt better than coal shale? Which would you prefer given the choice?
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2008 One coon One skunk
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#670065 - 04/07/08 08:38 AM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: k9.]
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ChrisM
trapper
Registered: 12/27/06
Posts: 44
Loc: South Dakota
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Interesting thread.
Coyotes are no doubt one of the most studied critters out there. I have piles and piles of government research papers done over the past many decades. It all makes for interesting reading, but 98% of it has no practical application on a fall/winter trapline.
Research showing that coyotes are harder to catch within their “core area” is totally irrelevant to a fur trapper, because absent telemetry collars its impossible to identify these areas.
While is true that features such as waterways, roads, long ridges etc… often serve as the boundary between territories, there are many regions that have very few of these features or where these features are so numerous you cant sort them out.
Fortunately for trappers, is does not matter. Many of the features that form the boundaries are also the very features that we focus on when selecting trap locations. Trapping is not rocket science. See sign… set traps. See lots of sign…. Set lots of traps! Who out there is going to pass up a nice location, with sign because they think they might be in the dreaded “core” area, and some research showed it might be easier to catch this coyote somewhere else? The whole notion is ridicules!
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Seger's music speaks to a person's heart and soul like few others can.
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#670068 - 04/07/08 08:40 AM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: ChrisM]
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k9.
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 3192
Loc: Brooklyn, Iowa 45 years old st...
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Great points Chris, and great to have you getting back on here. You coming to NTA?
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2008 One coon One skunk
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#670118 - 04/07/08 09:35 AM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: k9.]
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Asa Lenon
trapper
Registered: 12/23/06
Posts: 2476
Loc: Gulliver, Michigan
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I've said it before about 20 times on this forum but I'll say it one more time. I have no personal experience trapping anywhere outside of MI U.P. but I believe everyone, regardless of what region they are in might possibly do well to pay attention to not leaving excessive human and foreign scents at and near sets. Not because the coyote might necessarily avoid the set completely because of excessive odors, but for the way he may work the set. When I make sets I anticipate in advance the likely approach the animal will be making as he sees or smells the set and the direction he will be coming from. Tracks in the sand, mud and snow have verified that I'm correct in my anticipation 90% or more of the time. If one has been careful the coyote will make this direct approach, step where one has guided their foot and bingo before the coyote has ever had a chance to dig into the hole or work the set any farther. I have watched coyotes and red fox too work sets from blinds for many years and have consistently noted that a majority work sets differently depending upon whether one was reasonably clean and careful or disregarded the normal clean and careful proceedures. The clean sets consistently received the normal stop, look around a moment and proceed directly into the set with little hesitation. The unclean sets in my viewing consistently received a stop, looking around, nervous appearing fidgety looking coyote/red fox that many times began to circle the set, go to a higher vantage point to look around, almost commit and then back off several times, etc. Some appeared to get so nervous about the situation that they simply left without commiting to the set while others eventually commited hesitantly, many times trying to look or dig into the hole from the side or back, etc. So my point of course is how does one want their sets worked to ensure they make a paw/pan connection, by direct approach or from some other haphazard direction from the side or rear of a set? Also, does one want to sometimes wait three days for set odors to cool down enough that it is accepted or would they rather the coyote/red fox commit on their first visit? Ace
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#670126 - 04/07/08 09:39 AM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: k9.]
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Rich Kaspar
trapper
Registered: 12/26/06
Posts: 159
Loc: Nebr
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John and Chris, have you guys noticed coyotes getting a little "tougher" to trap since the cat fur boom, and seeing more lure avoidance? Cal Taylor out of Gillette told me he thought coyotes are getting a little quicker education due to the larger abundance heavyly lured and flagged bobcats set they come across these days, with more novice trappers entering the game in search of high dollar bobcats. I would kinda guess that could be true.
Rich K.
Edited by Rich Kaspar (04/07/08 09:41 AM)
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#670128 - 04/07/08 09:43 AM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: Asa Lenon]
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John Graham
trapper
Registered: 04/19/07
Posts: 329
Loc: Jordan, Montana
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I guess I didn't know that coyotes were harder to trap in their core areas, guess I missed that study, must have came out when I was living in a bedroll and trapping in differant states. I LOOK for their core areas, but to tell you the truth, after the family gets busted up late in the summer, whats a core area? Chris summed it up pretty good, SEE SIGN, set traps.
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#670133 - 04/07/08 09:56 AM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: John Graham]
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John Graham
trapper
Registered: 04/19/07
Posts: 329
Loc: Jordan, Montana
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Lots of responses, almost too many to read. I have a lot ot do today, so thought I would touch on the questions directed to ME. I would say waxed dirt is head and shoulders above coal shale as far as being weather proof. I use some coal shale early in the season, but after mid Novemeber, pretty much everything is in the waxed dirt. ALL my cats sets are with it also. I have used some waxed coal shale for 4 years now, and have decided to lay in several hundred gallons of it too. It tends to be heavier, and more wind resistant. Also, blends in with some of my locations better.
Rich, Calvin is right, coyotes are getting a new education with the influx of cat trappers. Especially on the public land. And, with more ranchers using the 'swinging bunny set', with a half covered trap under it, they are seeing plenty on some of my private ground to. In all honesty though, the extra tire tracks and four wheeler activity has done more to put the coyotes 'down' in my area. They were skittish before, but the last 2 years HAS made it worse. I set snares in places this year where I normally wouldn't have, because of too warm or whatever. They payed off in a lot of cases, some coyotes were like cats, I didn't even know they were there until caught.
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#670747 - 04/07/08 06:57 PM
Re: What do you do when coyotes don't visit your s
[Re: John Graham]
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SVR
trapper
Registered: 12/26/07
Posts: 260
Loc: Atlantic county N.J.
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Just want to say Thanks to everyone who has pertisapated here.
Im fairly new to trappin, an read this thread from front to back it made heck of a good read. I hav alot of new ideas now from you all an im truly THANKFUL, Good LUK to all this up coming season Steve
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