Yeah, I imagine it's happened to a lot of us. One farm out of 4 that I am currently trapping has given me trouble since day one. Out of 5 sets 4 were uncovered or actually pulled out of the bed. I re-set all, most have been uncovered at least once since. I the last 2 days I have put in post sets (just using the natural dirt clump backing that is there) right in the sand that makes up the farm lane. One partially uncovered the first night. The other has coon tracks just missing the pan. Some traps have polyfill under the pan. One has a screen cover, the one yesterday I used a loose wad of dry grass. The 2 traps in the farm lane are blended in very well. I'm assuming it's the same coyote all the time. Any suggestions that might work. I'm going to leave these traps in place for the next few weeks if necessary. They are an easy drive from the road, and I can/do check all without getting out of the truck.
You know, now it's like trying to catch the criminal.

I will catch flack for it, but search Powerbedding and use some 16 penny nails to firm up your trap. Your problem will likely be over in a night or two.

Or you could just catch the coon that is digging then the coyote that is coming to see what he was digging will have a trap to step in. Just a thought. Also bed trap back a bit further than normal. May help....

Make sure your taking into consideration scent control and as previous replies have said bed that trap down real well......it helps to throw in subtle sets like a good flat set with something as simple as a rock for pure or urine these sets give variety and at times are more appealing to coyotes than big gaping dirt hole sets that can make coyotes weery at times.

I'm far from a pro. A lot of guys catch more on a check than I have in my dabbling.


But when I had those issues, it was coon and it was bedding issues (I think). Or maybe they are prone to digging around fresh dirt (trap bed).

I was finding traps uncovered like you said and sometimes flipped out of their bed.

Yup it happens when it’s cold out and have to use peat or wax dirt because neither beds just like real dirt a lot will say no but my regular dirt is a lot different from the other 2. So I just take a corse threaded 4” screws and screw the jaws down or frame. It dosnt hold the jaws up cause the heads are on an angle and the coarse threads freeze in and don’t move just reverse them when u take them out haven’t lost a screw yet been doing it for near 8 years rock solid in a minute with wax or peat it’s just what works for me not saying I’m rite.

Of the 5 original sets, one small dirt hole, one pipe set, one grab and pull, one scent post, and a typical flat set. I believe the traps are solid in the beds. I'm using waxed sand with the sand that is there already.
I might try a tire set with a #3 DLS in the center. Maybe between the new post sets and that something good will happen. And I will take a solid backing of some type and get in behind the dirt hole. They did pull the foot out of the hole from the back one day.

Catch em by the back foot.!!

Ed Sneider has a Tube video of a step down dirt hole. I've been using this set for a couple yrs and haven't had one dug yet.

Easy way to see if it's a raccoon

Bed trap, put sweet bait inside jaws several pieces or clumps. Put small board or piece of bark over trap ( so bait is not exposed) and when he comes...... He will move the board and start grabbing the bait that's inside the jaws and hit the pan. Set pan real light

If traps stop being dug up. You know it was that coon

Yes Sir, I have been using the step down dirt hole at other locations and it does work well. I think I will put some DP's on this farm, weather supposed to remain warm, and see how many coons want a snack. If that doesn't work, I will do a step down and a tire set. Thanks.

Not sure if everyone does this. I personally like to pack the top layer of fill dirt on the trap as well, My thought is that the dirt all around the bed is fairly hard ( at least around here) and if the dog steps on the jaw and feels a major difference in soil hardness he might be inclined to dig around even though the trap is bedded solid, at the very least I would think that it would make him leery. I'm by no means a great trapper buy I have only had 1 trap dug up and it was due to poor bedding. Hope this helps.

Trail cam.

Take his picture and you’ll know for sure.

Yes Sir, In a different field today I put in a Ed Snieder dirt hole and a tire set. Beans in one half, corn in the other. About 2 ft wide grass border in the middle. Tire went in the grass, dirt hole went on the back side of the badger hole that was there already about 20 ft away. Coyote tracks on the dirt mound. We'll see what happens.

Hobbs, I was in Wyoming last month. I don't know how you folks get a trap in the ground. Lots of places rock hard.

Good luck and keep us posted

I was having the same problem on a set - until I added 2 more traps behind the first one and caught that bandit!

Great big arms and a lot of swearing. Haha

Yup ground can be real hard in the west, look for a softer spot up wind nearby

I have trouble with a coyote now and then, snares work great on diggers, seems it's a female usually, sometimes a skunk, rabbit, or coon dig in soft dirt, then coyote leaves a track later