I really enjoyed catching a few yotes this year while checking traps on the way to work. I have about 3 more years before retirement and want to expand the area I cover while still working. It's a 37 mile one way drive each morning. The first 18 miles I can take care of in the dark each day. However, there are some loops I could include and cover more area IF it seemed reasonable to check the remainder of the traps after work, 3:00 to dark.
Everybody knows these puppies really jump and tug constantly. I'll be using #3 Monty's, both round and older square jaw. The old traps are going to get 4 coiled this summer. All are dogless.
I'd especially like to here from long time guys who run longer lines that cause them to cover some of the line later in the day. Thanks.

I check early but if I got sets in areas where people are not going to be than I will check later if for some reason I can’t check in the a.m. I do run a short line late in the year and check at my lunch break which is around 10am-1:00 and have not had any issues. There are a lot of guys that have extended checks and do fine so if a guy has good equipment than you should not have a problem. I run high pan tension and it is rare I get a toe caught coyote, that would worry me on waiting longer between checks if that was to happen.

use good traps. the coyotes will still be there. biggest problem is little johnny driving home from school and pops one with his deer rifle without even realizing its in a trap. most of the time it will be there when you get there but you have a real mess to take care of.

I agree with Danny. Its not if the trap will hold them that long, but in my area theft from bird hunters and deer hunters.

Nothing about trapping coyotes grinds me more than some a-hole shooting my coyote with a 12 gauge slug

So if you use traps that are easy on the feet and don't have to worry about others shooting them "for you"' or bunny huggers finding them you should be good.

Just use good judgement about locations and traps used

Most of the potential spots will be fairly close to the road, but out of sight on private land. Can't take the chance of a dancing coyote. Also, a lot of the farms are owned by Amish. No bird hunters here, it will be picked corn and soybean fields with small patches of timber, drainage ditches and long fence lines.

I agree with Danny I sometimes check traps daylight to dark I checked before work before and after work still there unless someone help them selves to them

I run my line after work I get off at 12:30 pm. I set away from the road and out of view. I use a longer chain on my 550s. I think they feel more comfortable and most of the time they stay laying down until l am close to them. I still had 0 foot damage so that tells me that they didn't fight the trap much.

Some states have multiple days for a check law. If a good trap will hold a coyote for multiple days in the West, it ought to hold them til after 3 pm anywhere. Make sure those old Monty's have good lock up. I had a hard time with my old low levers til I made them high levers.

When ya run a long line you'll never check some early. I check afternoons after work. If I have any problems the Warden takes care of it... Set your traps up right and you'll have zero issues with losses. 18 or more inches of chain makes a big difference..Lost zero coyotes

You can make good use of sliders too. They take just a bit longer to set up, but the remake is worth it, especially if your using wax dirt.

Lee, would you explain the slider set up please, I'm not familiar with that. I will be using mostly #3Victor/Monty and some MB 650's that I have recently purchased. I will be 4 coiling the older Monty's.

I won't speak for Lee, but I have used sliders. When the best location is in view of public a slide cable like used on drowners can be used to get the catch back in a low spot or behind cover were Johny sneekum cant see it as easily. This helps quit a bit with theft if not checking early. It also gets the catch away from set, making it easier to remake.

Thanks Andrew. Makes good sense.

I'd say used good sturdy traps, stake with the appropriate anchor that is almost impossible to pull out, and if you have the ability, weld the j-hooks closed (just in case).

Should be good to go as long as you get them by 2 toes or more.

Good stout heavy traps and longer chains will make a coyote tired. Most of the time they will be curled up seeping until they see you. I run 30'' or more on a lot of my traps and set where people won't see the catch. Use a good stake system. When you give them a little room they can get more comfortable. Like Caroliner Foxer says- weld all your J hooks shut. If you are just checking a few sets early in the morning sometimes you can get away with smaller lighter traps but if a coyote has all day - and in Illinois that can be more than 24 hours -any weakness in your rig will show up. If you are in a brushy are drags work well to hide your catch. I use 10' of chain with a good heady drag. Every once in a while you have to chase something that doesn't do what you figured it will though. This year i had 2 -a fox got caught at a pile of bean stubble along a field and took off over the bean stubble. The drag caught the whole pile of stubble and it stayed on the hook till the fox ran a 100 yard wide circle and went into some trees and got caught. The other one was the coyote in this picture that ran all the way across this sod field and into some trees. It was about 1/4 mile. Every other one went into the tall grass and got stuck. Make sure you prepare for the worst.


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Thanks Larry. I'm planning on using longer chain on any that will get themselves out of sight during the day. I will get all the j hooks welded.