I see a lot of topics and responses of multiple sets at a location. I understand the concept, but would love to see or hear exactly what you mean. As in how close? Dirtholes or flat sets? Or combination? I know this probably sounds stupid, but just trying to learn.

For me it varies from location to location. Could be 2 or 3 of the same set or 3 different sets and could be as close as 5 yards of as far as 20+

Find a reason for the second set to go where you put it. Some people just put the second set in because your "supposed" to put two traps at each location and dont think about the animal when putting the second set it.

The reason for more then one set Is the chance you may catch a non target critter In your only trap.
If a location Is good for one trap It's good for at least 2. Keep your sets far enough apart so the caught critters can't reach one another. And make some change ups with different sets and different smells.

Excellent advice! I agree completely!

The second set should be as important and just as good as the first. Double on ‘possums.

Maybe the second set could be for the second most common prevailing wind. Catch a ‘possum from a different direction.

That's what I'm referring to.

That second set if you put it in based solely on that reason is going to be a half butted set you may be lucky to catch a possum in.

That is our rule of thumb...if a location is good for one set, it's good for two or three sets. We have a ton of skunks and possums to Wade through and I've caught a lot of coyote/skunk or coyote possum doubles but not many coyote/coyote doubles here. Coon too, lots of coon in our area.
Sometime we miss too. A snapped trap catches nothing and if another critter comes by the snapped trap does nothing but another set may.
Also, the variety of sets seems to matter. We've seen in snow where they went right past one set to be caught in the next set nearby.
Sometimes bait set isn't interesting but a post or lured flat set is.
Also, if one set gets frozen down the next one may fire correctly.
We just like to up our odds using multiple sets if this all makes sense.
Jim

Like I said If the location Is good for one set It's good for more then one set. A location Isn't just a little spot of ground you place a trap In. It covers a pretty large area. So multiple sets are going to cover all parts of the location.
And when You make a set you make It for the target animal your not making It just to put steel In the ground.

I set a location In MS that caught 5 coyotes In one day. You could only see 3 at once but the other two were just around the corner. That was a hot location so I set all approaches to It.

Its all about efficiency on the line.And having working sets on multiple day checks.

You can target several of the same species or several different species at the same location with multiple sets.
I am a huge fan of gang setting snares and bodygrips in blind locations as well as at baited draws.Keeps the location producing fur after catches on extended checks.

Im agreeing with you on that Beav, but that's not what a lot of people do when they talk about two or more sets per location.

Actually that's a very good question.. Ask yourself 2 questions at the location. what are they here for? How big is the population you have? If its a food spot use a food type attractor in a hole. If it's a travel spot and you find scat or scratch kicks then scent posts with gland/urine or curiosity type lures. If it's both then a mix is in order. Whatever hits first add another set of the same type. I always start with at least 3 to cover the prevailing wind plus the thermal wind of the night. One set is always a scent post because, Dogs have to pee to let the world know they've been there. If I was trapping where there's alot of yotes I'd double the number of sets. 2 sets are close and 1 is most of the time 20 to 30 yards away.
In other words I set the location for what it offers, then adapt after that.. It's more of a gut feeling after years of observing coyotes and how they react, or not..

I have never used multiple sets but seeing what happens after a coyote catch last season showed, I will be putting a few multiples in the fall.

Good post. I went to Ed Schneider's canine school and asked the instructors this very question. Given 50 traps, which is better. One trap in 50 locations or 2 traps in 25 locations. Overwhelmingly they said 2 traps per spot. Will be setting multiple sets this fall.

I just love coming up to a location and seeing those doubles. You can't do that with a single trap location.

I typically make 3 sets per location - DH, Flat Set, and Urine Post Set - I use a variety of lures/baits - I pay close attention to prevailing wind direction - I also pay attention to elevation. I use sight attractors such as charred wood or bones - I typically make sets in open areas and out from hedge rows at least 20 yrds.

I like to use at least two types of sets at every location. I first look at the wind and try to cover the travelway with scent from one of the sets no matter the wind direction. I also try to appeal to two different moods. I'll use a set with food appeal only, and another with either urine/gland lure only or a curiosity type lure, depending on the time of year.

Typically the sets are at least 20 feet apart, with the more subtle set downwind of the flashier. Often it's the subtle set that catches, even if the prevailing wind favored the other. I believe it is because they circle downwind of it, and find their way to the subtle set.

In good 'possum country you'll need more than two traps per location.

It is often stated that when remaking after a catch one should set a trap outside the catch circle as a back up; I say that if you set 4-5- or more traps at a good location on the first day any dissipation of your scent will take place equally and any "air out" time will already be over for your back up sets; the remake won't also involve time spent on new construction and the associated affect of your presence at the set location.
Set as many traps at one site as you think target animals may visit during your week or month at that site. If you only plan to trap that site for a week set 3-5 traps, if you plan to trap that site for a month set 6-10 or more: it will make your line maintenance faster and very likely produce more because there will always be ready to work backups made.
If you want to limit the the lure smells in the area, simply don't use any lure at some sets initially and as time goes by add lure or bait to the already set traps, though I'm apt to use a few lures and lure each set as constructed.

Russ Carman mentions in one of his books about setting multiple traps at a location. Its for various reasons. Multiple sets allow you to....

1) Use a different lure or bait at each set so the animal has an option (which ever lure starts out producing, switch all sets to the best lure).
2) Opportunity to catch doubles or triples on target animal
3) Keeps a trap open in case of a non-target clogging one set

One that he mentions that is not often discussed is: 4) Letting the animal build comfort and confidence

He figures that sometimes a fox or coyote will come in, visiting and circling one set (but not working it), satisfy their curiosity and potential weariness at that trap site and head to the next set and walk right into it and get caught. They were unharmed at the first, so enter more boldly at the 2nd set.

Just someone else's thought on reasons for multiple sets.