So many variables to consider, as has been mentioned. I made a few first night K9 catches on a set and the next year the same set at the same location sat from mid Nov to Mid Jan, untouched ; a week after I pulled the trap the hole had been dug up and worked aggressively. Sometimes you win sometimes they win, that's trapping.

This is the key. The coyote has to really want what is down the hole for a dirt hole set to be effective. Sure you may snag the occassional curious yote that steps too close for a sniff, or the ones that misstep when they turn to pee on it, but to take numbers they have to want to get what is down that hole. Good bait is a must, but there are times they just are not interested no matter what is down there. Don't know if it is hunger, weather or what, but it is like there is an on/off switch, and there is nothing more frustrating when they are stuck in the off mode.

I've experienced what seems like coyotes stuck in the off mode then bang they go to the on mode. I have my theories as to why but I'm kind of young in this trapping thing so I don't trust my theories too much yet. I wonder if the professional coyote men experience this too or can they catch say 85% of the coyotes that come by the set the first time by? I tried to help a friend out this summer who was loosing baby goats to coyotes. What an effort in frustration!! I was humbled pretty fast.

Fur trapping and wanting numbers, I am not there to catch the last coyote. It it as simple as having the population. Covering a lot of ground and a set they will work. Worrying about packing in a trap rock solid and all that, have at it.

Wow, thanks a lot guys. There’s surely a lot of great information here.

My wife is from Trucksville. I’m about an hour south of you. If you want I can come up and show you how I do my sets and maybe put some fur on your stretchers

I took 2 weeks off and spent the 1st week sick in bed. Then this weekend the weather guys called for up to 8 inches so i pulled. Id say we have an inch tops. So i was out for a whopping 5 days right in the heart of rifle season. Caught a fox and a badger. Had yote tracks in the dirt pattern at 4 sets- 3 way back and had a yote stand on both jaws. Not a single dirt hole dug even a little bit. One yote left me a chewed up deer leg right between two sets, not a track in either set. Also saw a roadkill doe go untouched for 3 days. Saw a yote 50 feet from that spot the day before it was hit. They just werent hungry im thinking.

Pilgrim, I’m smart enough to take you up on your offer whenever you’re available. Just PM me and we’ll make the plans.

Ok sounds good