Walked a property found coyote
tracks at the red mark and scat at the blue mark. The problem is not much dirt mostly limestone. That is the white on the 2 track. Should I add some dirt so I can do a dirt hole this fall?

Flat set right in between the V where the two trails start. And another set where that other trail comes in at the left of the pic.

As a new trapper, I look at this pic and wonder the same thing. Blak Spot, I really like the "V" idea.

Would it be too many traps to place three around that area, one on the "V" and the other two on the other two trails where they dump into the field on the left and lower left?

It's amazing how difficult it can be to choose where to place a trap when you've been hunting all of your life but are new to trapping.

Put in a few compass sets with differnt lure combinations and you will get the coyotes passing through

This is what I would do in the two trails. I would probably also put a post set at the v.

snares, or cable restraints as we call them in WI.

You could put three at the V, but i would start with two then add one after a catch was made.

Blue bucket set all the way.

Flat set at the v as stated above on the down wind side of the turd 2 track I would do a mafia set, the a post or two up by the trail, and to top it off a couple blind sets in the trail wont hurt you a bit.

Is it private or public land, it makes a big difference on how it should be set
Prevailing wind direction also plays into it.
On private land I would set 7 or 8 traps
Public land I would set 20-30 CRs
But that's just me. Hit them hard and fast

Private land but the problem lies in the fact that there is only 4 to 6 in of dirt how would I hide a drag. Its solid limestone below.

You can easily hide a drag in that.The drag and chain don't have to be under the trap.You can stretch the chain toward cover.Then just cover the first part of it and probably you will be able to just sparsely cover the rest with duff or leaves.That's a perfect situation for drags.

Make a lot of flat sets and post sets plus the Pipe Dream Set would work for you.

If you can drive and retrieve a stake just 6", make mouse holes instead of dirt holes.......like a compass set but with less holes sometimes.

Drags will hide just fine in that or you can make a drag out of a big rock or log and attach your chain to that and use it as backing or post. You can put ten feet of chain on a hedge post about 5'' around and put the end of the post sticking out toward the trail. Lots of options. I would try to figure out how many coyotes you might have and set heavy if you have a lot of them. If not many start with 2 sets like blak spot and add one later if you get one. Put your sets on opposite sides of that ''V'' so when the comes from different directions you have options for the scent to blow across that ''V'' .

You could dig a shallow dirt hole and dump and bucket of dirt at the mouth of it so it looks like the dirt came out of that hole and that will cover a big drag and chain

I never really thought about this, but that’s a good idea. I have one place in particular in mind I’m gonna use this.

The coyotes have already shown the set type by leaving a dropping. I'd plant 3 scent posts lured with gland and or urine and 2 flat sets with curiosity type lures within 3 feet of the trails, all on drags with the prevailing wind and thermals in mind. 1st catch add another and remake where they hang up in the drags.

I would build multiple sets as suggested, dig your trap beds now and fill with dirt, you can prebait to see how they are working them but do the work now when the weather is good. I like walkthrough sets myself.

Scott

yes I would. Or more, there are 5 five trails there and an opening I might set as many as a dozen, one thing it took me a while to learn; traps don't catch anything in the back of the truck. And another is you you don't ever get a triple with one trap set.
I leave chains and drags uncovered all the time and still catch a few. These are animals that don't think and have no idea what a chain is. yes even a scattering of dust is enough.

Mouse/chipmunk holes are my go to set.

The situation with the dirt makes staking and holes a problem? Don't you think the animal came from someplace else and went someplace else after it had been there? you can go 30-100 yards down each of those three five trails and it will still get the same animals passing. Surely in that area there is enough dirt in one place to cover a trap.

Coyotes are a use to smell rust.being around farms they smell it all the time and also look for food in it and around it.For all that is stated will work ,the animals show you where to set your traps and for how it looks do more then 3 in the area.The V and the 2 areas you seen sign and also the 2 trails before the V.