I found a spot this weekend that has some coyote sign. it is an area near a beaver lodge so I don't want to drive my atv due to uncertain ice conditions. If I were to walk a loop around the lodge and set the trails going away out away from the lodge will it spook the coyotes? If you can imagine the lodge as the center of the wheel and me walking around that, I would then set the spokes going in and out from the center. I would try to stay at least 15-25 yards from all my sets and not walk on any coyote tracks. Do you think this is a safe plan or am I over thinking this?

go for It

What would be the difference between checking CRs on foot and checking steel traps on foot?

My rule is to walk past near my set (or through my set, if a blind set) and continue on, never making a turnback. I've had animals follow my tracks too many times to think they won't again; my thoughts on checking from 50' or a 100' away are that the target will follow my "new" path and also "check the set" from a distance. fwiw, I'd rather lead them to the set.

Either use a some flagging or what I like to use is some florescent duct tape as a marker. Place the marker with reach of your cable then you don't have to go In every day to check your set. If the marker Is gone you have made a catch. Then go In about every 4th day to make sure you don't have any knock downs.

This is hard to imagine, but there was a time when there were no atvs. Knee boots, hip boots, and waders covered it. Somehow we got it done. I really appreciate my atv.

I walk 5 farms each night. Park, walk in. Takes me 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on conditions and catches/remakes.
My Garmin's watch shows I average about 22,700 steps a day.
Gets me in pretty good shape.
Setting on first day or so, and pulling up on last day are both a workout. I cross-state my sets with rebar.
Day one its bucket with 4-5 traps, rebar, hammer/digger, trowel, bait, lure, and couple gallon jugs of waxed dirt.
Each check its rifle, old bird vest with some bait and lure, pliers, couple extra snares and wire, couple gallon jugs of waxed dirt to stash near sets. Once i have enough dirt stashed near sets I'm down to just hauling out animals.
I run some snares on each farm in case traps don't work I still have options of functioning sets above freezing ground and snow.
I must be old fashioned. I know its inefficient by most standards but I really enjoy the walks in the fields and wooded areas alone and checking g traps. Its work carrying a couple coyotes or a big beaver out, but it keeps me in shape and I really like this time of year in the outdoors.
I like the quiet too.
Never owned an ATV. Been walking my lines since late 80s.
Jim

Jim, I walk a lot of my lines too. One thing I have found helps out is to use a deer cart. You can put your packbasket and your catch on it and you don’t have to keep taking your packbasket off.

I'm with Jim, never owned a atv. Walk in if i cant access by truck or its too muddy.

I'd set those CR's and go for a walk!

I seemed to have better luck when I didn't walk right up to my sets.


I don't have a ton of trapping or CR experience. A few seasons and a small line for a couple weeks.

That being said...the first season was when I walked to the sets or right down my cabeled trails. So, maybe that wasn't the problem.

I started checking from a distance and weather depending, every so often, physically checking the set. My catches went way up....but like I said, maybe I just learned more...

CRs be tough with deer knock downs in some areas..

Jim,

You know more about the land and see more sign walking rather than using an atv. When I walked my lines I was in better shape and saw nearly every track, run, dropping, trail, and many more animals. There came a point in point in life where it became necessary to use an atv or stop trapping because of work responsibilities. When I first started using an atv it seemed like I was losing touch with the natural world which is one of the big reasons why I trap. Now I have the luxury of doing it however I choose. So I use the atv for the grunt work and distances, but then I park it and walk to scout and learn and look and listen.

Best wishes, Willy