My first year snaring coyotes. Did well earlier with blind setting trails with kaki colored snares, 10" loop 10" off the ground worked great. Now with snow on the ground they are walking around the snares, making new trails and knocking them down. With the snow the snares are very visible to me so I'm sure they can see them. Also snow is with a few inches from the bottom of the snare. Any tips or advice for snaring coyotes in the snow ? -Thanks

Raise your snares to 12-14 inches above the walking surface so from the coyotes viewpoint the snares are viewed against the background bush, not the snow. Also increase your loop size to 14" unless the situation won't allow it.

That's the way to do It. I only wish we could do that In WI.

But I haven't had to many refusals with a 12" loop 12" off the ground.

There's no restrictions on loop size with a relaxing slide so I can do that. So the snow is light and fluffy but 6" deep, so am I still measuring from the frozen ground up or the snow itself ? -Thanks

North Dakota is 12” height of snare bottom and max opening of 12”. I marked my trapping hammer 12” from the head so I can set it on the trail with the handle sticking up so I know where the 12” max is for the bottom of the snare. In North Dakota, the law is says to measure from where the animals paw will be on the ground. So as more snow falls and snow packs down on the trails I’m raising my snare to keep it up 12” off the base of the trail.

It seems like your question is related to how the snare looks from the coyotes perspective. Yes loop size can be adjusted, but blending is essential as well. I do not treat my snares in any way. Refusals are extremely rare. I am not sure what size my loop is and the distance to the "ground". I kind of go by feel/instinct. I will have to maybe measure today and see.

My main thing, is I ONLY set snares in thick stuff. I do not use a bunch of support wire. I use twigs of existing undergrowth, or cattails, reeds, or grass to support the snares. If there is nothing to blend the snare in a good location, I find a different location.

Part of this theory is that we must use power snares in Sask., and so I am paranoid about the springs to some extent, though with experience, it looks to me that coyotes could care less generally.

Try to keep YOUR tracks off their travel route. Make your sets from the side of their trail.