Hi all!! So I am trying my hand at trapping for the very first time. I will be targeting coyotes, fox, hopefully bobcats and coons. I will be probably using dirt hole sets for canines and cubby sets for bobcats. Coons I’ll be setting dirt hole sets along the creeks on my property. My question is for trap placement. How far back should I be placing the traps from the dirt holes. I will put the bait in the dirt hole and then place the lure behind the dirt hole. What do you all recommend is that the correct placement? Any other tips are always welcom and thank you in advance.

Welcome pull up a chair and a drink. Have fun and good luck this season. Archives are full of gold and gems on various topics.

Check out the Land Trapping archive forum. There is a lot of great info in there. https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/9/1/land-trapping-archive

Here's my advice. Try different things and think outside the box.
Take your time and learn from your mistakes. Trapping is not easy to learn but can be very rewarding
when you connect.
Lastly don't beat yourself up because you fail. None of us know it all and what we do know came
from experience.

Thanks for the advice. I plan on dying and waxing some traps I just bought tomorrow then setting some out on Thanksgiving day.

Welcome, I'm not much help since I just started water trapping last spring and land trapping this fall. But welcome and if I thought I was addicted to waterfowling, trapping is just as addicting. Personally, I found it more effective to dye my traps after they had a good thin layer of rust on them. Seemed to help the dye stick much better.

welcome place your traps about 7-10 inches back from hole an to one side a little

how far you bring your pan back and offset it is somewhat dependant on the critter your gunning for. Fox men keep their traps close, but as a result will miss alot of coyotes. Coyote guys back them off further, and often have fox standing over the trap instead of on it. then your backing dictates how far back. bigger backing= bring the trap further out. i dont think there is a magic number that works great on all species.

Don't be afraid of competition

Always brush your teeth before asking permission to trap.

More important than distance is stable, called bedding your trap. Has to be rock steady. Also land animals do not care what color the traps are, I clean them up with dish soap and hot water, hot water rinse, let dry, then wax them.

you'd be wise to join your state trapping assn., Google it, and then ask officers off their site for a mentor in your area AND attend every free trappers ed class and meets and fur sales and conventions you possibly can. It sure opened doors for me!

...also ask for trapping dvds and gear for Christmas, and ALL gifts you normally get from loved ones.

Thank you all

One more question. When dispatching an animal once I catch one I will be using a 22lr.

Please PM me with what you think is the best methods

Dispatch by PM only. Pm sent.

Edited the post. Thank you for letting me know