Had some activity at 2 sets this morning that left me wondering what went wrong. Tracks in the snow told the story. Location is a 4 way intersection atop of a piece of the highest ground on a ridge. Have 2 sets on the location about 15 ft apart. Was anticipating an approach from any of the 4 roads coming in. Tracks showed me neither approached from the roads but instead straight on at my backing worked the first set from the back at first then came around and worked the front of the set planted a few feet between the jaw closest to the hole and against the hole. Pan is around 9-11 inches back. Never touched the pan. second dog was working the other set based on the tracks it was a remake from a bobcat yesterday morning it was made in a walkthrough fashion entered from the right to the left took a few swipes in the hole and then dug it from the back both left together not using the roads again. So I was trying to learn a little from it. Did they just get lucky both of them? Why no road travel? Did they know my stuff was there and avoid it? Wait on another interaction and maybe make a change at that point? I can’t remember from years ago if I ever had a coyote work 2 sets that hard let alone work like that and not be caught.

Jealous that most of y’all have snow to “see” the action unfold...pine needles and grass just don’t cut it down here, lol.

Snow, what's that??

Seen it briefly this season

Having to guess where the coyotes are going




As to OP, I have no idea, sometimes they just miss, and whatever was in the holes didn't keep them there long enough to work for it

Sounds like some guiding may be in order and a metal screen pan cover to increase kill area between the jaws of the trap. Something I'm trying to learn to do more of. Good luck.

I had the same thing happen last year with 2 sets about 10 feet apart. I had prints on both trap levers and jaws. So close