I think they’re better, if you free range them! And you know how fresh they are! It’s just like a vegetable garden!!

Ah. If you're that young I'd maybe wait a bit before venturing into the live market. Live market trapping is more difficult than just regular trapping just because of the logistics. Have you really thought this through? Are you sure your folks are okay with muddy coyotes peeing and pooping all over in the back of their truck (They DO have a pickup to drive you in, right? I don't think your mom would want that on the back seat of her SUV lol).

And if they are... then what is your plan? If you find a buyer nearby it'll still probably be a drive! Are you gonna have them drive you there every time you catch a coyote? Are you planning to take the gas money for that out of your profit? You can't expect them to drive you an hour or better every time you catch one for free.

Or... are you planning to hold them for a while? Do you have the welding abilities, or know someone that will do it for you.... that will be needed to construct a long-term holding pen? What are you planning to feed them? Coyotes eat a lot! You'll need a steady supply of carcasses or fresh road kill or else you'll have to buy dog food out of your profit too.

I know you're excited but instead of messing with nasty live-market coyotes I would stick to stuff that's more fun to deal with. I too live in a live-market state, am set up for it.... and still don't like messing with it because it's too much work! Focus on critters you can skin and sell for a profit. Bobcats, otter, gray fox, beaver, mink/rats if you have them... are all more fun and easier to deal with. Well ok... maybe I lied a little....there's nothing fun about beaver but you can at least easily sell them.

Have you ever caught a coyote? If not I would set yourself a goal of catching just ONE this year.... shoot that thing and get it tanned and hang it on your bedroom wall. Worry about live market trapping once you get your own truck. Then you can impress the girls with the scars you get from handling live coyotes LOL.

going to try to be there this year,

When was those pictures taken. In my opinion there isnt a lot of "growing " from here on out. Maybe a little but from July on its mostly the horns "hardening" and mineralizing so to speak. If those pictures are recent and based on the looks of the antler they are, he maybe actually be a bit smaller than last year but pics can be deceiving. Nice deer either way.

Might have been killed by a hunter and not recovered by that hunter

When I saw this in the news I thought about this thread.


https://www.ktlo.com/2026/06/27/izard-county-teenager-paralyzed-in-rodeo-accident-has-died/

What town are you near ?