What’s the secret to keeping deer out of traps or away from your sets? I would have thought coyote or bobcat urine would keep them somewhat clear. I have to pick spots to make sets trying to avoid them. They still seem attracted to my dirt hole sets no matter the bait, lure, or urine I use.

Urine attracts deer and rabbits as well. Blind sets and posts and walk thru sets

Exactly.Mountain lion and wolf urine will attract them just as well.When a lot of deer are coming through,I don't use urine.Lure with fish oil will attract them as well.

As stated, do not use urine if you have a lot of deer in the area

You will still get the occasional deer to step in your set as they are curious but not nearly as often

Most deer can be avoided by bedding the trap closer, may be surprised how many less coyotes you miss too. A Small outside blocking stops deer short of the trap also. Use the urine on the outside blocking. All urine attracts deer but red fox is the worst. Coyotes can be trapped without urine but you'll catch quicker with urine..

Like Cow's, make the set where it's hard for them to get at.

yep found out the hard way when using urine at my sets. It is like a magnet for rabbits. Don't need them getting in sets when we want others.

Just catching bait, lol.

more like supper...

I trap cats mostly so I use a flag, usually a couple of duck feathers pushed into a pinch of poly fill. I hang this directly over my walkthru set at about the same height as a deer’s head. Some advise against hanging flagging directly over your set but I believe it serves as a deterrent for deer. Sure I still have an occasional deer mess up a set but not nearly as much as when I don’t hang a flag. I also think it discourages smart coyotes too but I still catch quite a few.

You can try building the set ~2' to the side of a trail, most deer seem to stand in the trail while checking out the new smells, on a side hill trail I use a bank set that places the trap up near deer nose level, again their feet seem to stay in the trail. As always ymmv.

Stop sweating the small stuff Set your traps to catch what ever your trapping and don't worry about the freackin deer.
That's why It's Important to make at least 2 or even 3 sets at each location. Play the odds.

I like The Beav's answer. One way to deter deer and other unwanted animals is to set off the trail maybe 20 to 30 yards and make a big visible hole set. Coyotes will see it and check it out because it's in their nature.