Coyote Problems

[jed23pa]

I'm currently living in Western NC, I'm originally from Pa and trap up there as well...lots of coyotes around, I see them all the time. I'm still relatively new to trapping, I've done it here and there and this is the first year I've gotten serious about it. I've had great success this year on a lot of different animals, especially fox. Unfortunately I could only keep the ones from Pa this year since my county doesn't let you keep them. For some reason, I just can't catch a coyote. Not sure what they don't like about my sets. Are there any coyote guru's on here? Possibly in western carolina?

[brook1965]

Coyotes are often thought of as an extremely hard animal to catch, but they are not. If you will post how you are setting maybe it will give us some insight as to what you may be doing wrong. I know this though to be definate show stoppers for coyote:

1) The trap MUST be firmly bedded (no movement at all)
2) The trap must be Clean- free of any foreign odors
3) There are three sets that will NOT fail you if set properly ( leaning post, scent post, dirthole)
4) If you are dealing with a trap shy animal- say one thats possibly been pinched, make theoriginal set and then make another one about 10feet away.
5) If you are using alot of Guiding- STOP! Canine spook very easily when guiding so you must always guide minimally when targeting just coyotes. They also spook very easily when using flagging.
6) Always alternate the lures/baits you use. Someone close to you might be using one variety of lure, you pick another one that is close but different.
7) Coyotes have a huge range of travel. Give them time to come through. It might take them several days to find it but they will.

I hope i have helped in some way buddy! Let me know if there is anything else ok~ My list goes on and on.

[waterpossum]

Brooks had good advice...coyotes require patience and careful attention to sets but if you are catching fox you can catch yotes. If you are missing animals but they are leaving sign do not rush to remake your sets. The more you touch your sets the more odors you are leaving. Take a step back - look at tracks (approach and departure), does it look like it stopped to investigate, where did it step in reference to the pan, where did it step in reference to your bait or lure?

Then you can decide...

Should you even touch it?

Should you add guiding? Small rocks and dirt clogs (roughly quarter sized) can be excellent guides for canines.

Should you add a trap? Do not put it close enough where animal will get in both....

Should you move the attractor closer to the trap or vice versa?

Also a dirt hole set is a good set for canines however, everbody and their cousin use them and some wild canines (particularly older, wiser fox and yotes) will avoid - especially larger holes.

WP

[brook1965]

Excellent advice waterpossum. Also if I might add, aybe make you a couple "mock" sets with NO trap and let the coyote show you where to place the trap as his foot prints will be all over the place. I was always advised by my mentor to set mock sets in the fall and let the animal you after teach you where to place the trap.

Tell us a little about your sets and we should be able to diagnose the problem with little effort. There are guys on here that are way smarter than I am when it comes to catching coyotes. I always catch em in my leaning post set or dirt holes especially when I am trying to catch cats and fox. Urghh!!! especially when they are a nuisance and aint worth nothing. It makes for a long day when you catch them and are hopeful of a cat or fox.

[Bottomline]

Brooks, a live coyote will fetch more money than any other critter you trap. $125 to $150 each is the going price for a coyote with good feet. Running pens want them.

[brook1965]

Cool Bottomline, I guess my next question is How do I get in touch with some folks near where I live. I can definately go for that!