At a demo I seen recently the Trapper was using a butter knife to place the lure in his left dirthole and gland in his right dirthole. Just wondering if it is okay to use that same knife at every location I am setting.

I have been strictly a Snare Guy for many years for Coyotes but have finally decided to also use Legholds and am new to this way of Trapping.

Randy, I always did never saw eny adverse reaction.
Colt

Yes, I use a pickle fork and just wipe it off at the set. For liquid lures I like to use a dropper.

I just wipe my bait fork off to the side of the dirt hole.

Not a problem

Scent molecules are getting mixed in the air regardless of what we do or don't do! Dont over think it randy! Trap bedding is the most crucial aspect

Just adds to the attraction..

That's a lot more lure than needed, what stays on a wooden match is a plenty of the lures I've used. That is like 3-4 sets out of a $8 bottle lure.

I use a twig found at the site and leave it in the hole covered with a wad of grass. Can put two twigs in same hole or one in each hole. Or use one scent in each set and make multiple sets at a single location.
Butter knife for dipping bait, yeah, but I don't load it up either, a teaspoonful of bait smeared on the inside top of the hole and plugged with grass is plenty. The butter knife just gives more reach to smear the deeper in the hole.

I wonder if you couldn't save time at the set by mixing seven or eight lures together in a jar and just dipping from it? Seems it would be easier than opening and dipping and closing three or six jars/bottles at each set?
Don't they all use mostly the same ingredients?

And this is a puzzle to me, how do you know what worked and what was a waste of money; I met a good coyote trapper who always used five scents at a set and caught plenty, but what if only one of those five scents was doing all the work?

I like to write down what I used at each set and keep score of the ones that worked and the ones just smell bad. If I use more than one smell at any one hole then I have no idea it #1 stink caught the animal or if it was all on #2 scent. But, if I put two holes 5' apart and use #1 in one hole and #2 in the second hole and maybe #7 stink in hole number three and make good notes then I know what lure not to buy next year.

I”m going to try this year to use about a third of the amount of lure I have been using all my life and see how that works. I’m thinking a two ounce jar of lure in my pocket will go a long ways this season.

If the lure you wipe off beside the set is a lure that would cause a rolling reaction I would think that's a bad idea.
To the OP try Qtips. Quick clean throw it down the hole stuff it under a rock or wedge it in a tree limb with trailing scent.

And I agree with everything tjm said

I'd read these, in fact I reread most of them in finding the ones that have useful information,
https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/217734/How_many_sets_in_a_one_ounce_b#Post217734

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1325019/CANINES_-_Trapping_~_Dirthole_#Post1325019


https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads....sel#Post1789701

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/948717/LURE_-_Different_Lure_Choice_w#Post948717

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/179828/LURE_-_and_low_animal_populati#Post179828

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/239589/LURE_-_how_long_does_urine/lur#Post239589

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/302117/No_lure_or_urine_set#Post302117

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/291990/Urine_Urine_Urine!__Who_uses_i#Post291990

your over thinking it.....

Amen mjh I try to stick with one attractant at a set if I think of two its two sets close by each other the proof is in the catch.

I may be overthinking it , but I won’t wipe ANY bait or lure on the ground ! I’ve seen demos by the best and seen many of them wipe they’re fork or knife on the ground but I feel this is an invitation for these big dumb Illinois coyotes to roll. I also agree with Tony and tjm that one smell at a trap is enough, with the exception of the compass set . I like the idea of three or four sets with a different smell at each set. I’ve used some highly touted baits and lures that when used by them selves were disappointing to say the least.

I NEVER place lure In the hole. It goes 2" to the right of my dirt hole and It's In a lure holder. A chunk of bamboo sent by Wolfdog.
The lure Is placed In the bamboo segment then I stuff In a chunk of sheep wool. I carry them In a zip lock bag and I'm good to go at each set.

Beav, I bet that works and still would if you skipped the hole digging altogether. The only reason I make a hole is to have a place to put the lure and hide it. Your lure holder does that.

My question on that is- do you anchor the lure holder or do anything to keep the coyote from eating it or carrying it off?

Beav bamboo is very useful on the trap line I use them for urine posts in open barron areas. Dozen foxtail stems poked into the bamboo makes a inviting spot to pee for passing yotes! arranged correctly it also gives a guiding affect! A dab of cotton first will hold urine smell for some time! Fuzzy fox tails hold glands well to!