How many think it is an effective strategy to set two traps at the same set? I'm undecided whether it will be more productive or if the extra time and disturbance at the set would spook canines or any critter for that matter. Red fox aren't a problem as far as getting them to step where I want them to but the grey fox and coyotes are proving to be different/more difficult. I'm also concerned that with a one trap set if they don't get pinched that first time they won't come back again for another chance. Haven't found that magic lure or bait that makes them become stupid enough to return again and again and get caught. Seems like I get one chance and that's it.

I'd never set just one unless it was the only trap I had. Two is minimum, and standard if after fox, but, if I have enough traps and there is any sign 4-5 is more likely if coyotes are the target. You simply can not get doubles with a single trap. If you don't want to stink the area up with lures at many sets you can set two blind sets in the approach path on each side of the scented set, for a total of five opportunities in place of one.

I'm not talking about one trap per location. I always set multiple SETS at each LOCATION. I'm talking about one trap at each set, as each dirt hole, each flat set, etc.

I would think that unnecessary unless dealing with a digger.

I have a dozen sets of 2 traps per anchor rigged up that I use a lot on dirt holes and walk through sets. I catch a lot of critters in them but I catch just as many on single trap sets.

If you have more traps than you have places to set them then why not increase your odds with 2 traps at a set.

I'm not going to look it up, but I think Boddicker had a study that showed an increased percentage of catches on sets with two traps on coyotes. That being said I can't force myself to double up a set with two traps I would rather spread myself thin. I've made one set in my life with two traps trying to catch a cat this year, and I actually had a possum with the second trap catching the first around his foot.

I'm sorry I misunderstood, I tend to think of all the traps in a group as the set. The farm, valley or hill etc as the location.
Two traps side by side automatically doubles your chance to catch one animal and ultimately to catch it twice. It also effectively disables all your swivels because one trap will entangle the other and the chains will be tied in knots. You won't like trying to release any non-targets or animals that must be released because of quotas. Also consider what if two animals are caught close enough together that they can fight or become entangled in each others chains. I like 10'-15' between traps, if coyotes are present.

I use two when setting an open area like a hay set in the middle of a cut field, hay mound with trap on both sides. Right now I have a flat set out in a featureless field with a deer skull in the middle of two traps. Reason being the k9 could come by either side .

I started using some two trap set ups this year and based on the results I plan on doing more of it.

Those of you who use two traps per set (dirt hole, flat set) do you place one trap in the traditional spot in front of the hole and another trap behind the hole or do you place both traps in front with one centered and one offset? To me it would seem that the terrain would dictate where the traps would go, no? I've been trying one trap at dirt holes this year and actually bedding it offset to the side with the dirt from the hole mounded up like it was dug from the hole naturally. Anyone had any luck doing this?

I think two traps could work at a dirt hole with one in front and one in back and connected to drags so the critter can leave the set and not get tangle up in the other trap or another animal.

Locklear suggests 2 traps per set to get that critter which comes to the back door. In his Teachers of the Night coyote videos, virtually none of the coyotes spent more than seconds in front of the dirt hole.

When I started pocket gopher trapping a couple years ago, the idea of a canine approaching from the back side made more sense. I’d bet nothing wants to creep out to the waiting jaws of a predator. Yet, if the predator stands behind the hole, there is a better chance dinner will come out at some point and can be ambushed.

A lot of good solid points made in this thread .

It makes sense tho. If you'll watch a dog at a hole he'll usually dig from both sides. Mostly from the back because top of the hole has less dirt then in bottom side. My rabbit dogs do this when I rabbit goes on a hole on them

Yep, makes sense to me. So why do we as trappers place the trap in front of the dirt hole? Yet we catch canines and all kinds of critters with the trap in front of the hole. I'm guessing that because we use a lot of un-natural baits and lures they are not expecting anything to come out of the hole and their curiosity just gets the best of them. That works fine on pups but adults are another matter.

I would use two traps only at a cat set

I wouldn't set two footholds unless it's in particular situations like hay sets or open field flat sets etc. There are time that two traps are great but usually with dirt holes not necessary however having two sets made at a particular location is great because you have the chance to double and always have a fresh set for weary coyotes that aren't liking the looks of that remake and catch circle.

So, those coyotes that approached from the rear did so by smell?

I've read this before and it makes no sense to me at all. The backing keeps them from seeing the hole from the rear and the wind blows the smell away from the rear and an animal following the smell will have to approach from the front or the wind won't let it smell anything.

The coyotes only spent seconds in front of the dirt hole, but it should only take one step in front a dirthole for them to be caught. I know this won't happen 100% of the time, but I've found with step down dirtholes as TJM has pointed out they cannot work the hole from anywhere but the front. That one step down in front of the hole they are usually buried up to their knees. Even if they started on the back side for whatever reason to get to that bait they've got to come down on the trench. The way I make the angle of the hole they can't see down it from either side or from the back. I've put the natural looking step downs right out in the middle of nowhere with no backing with increasing success. What I have seen from Clint that I do agree has increased my catches is not setting my hole facing the typical edges of fields, but towards the thicker cover. I've had less hesitation in natural travel ways irrigation ditches, two tracks, or even sets further in the hedge rows than the edges. They seem to be more confident when they're in some cover rather than out on an open field where every tom and harry can drive by and poke at them.

Also my thoughts looking at strictly numbers. Would you rather set 10 locations with two traps per bed (lets face it the odds of getting two coyotes to step on one trap a piece at a dirthole at the precise same time aren't impossible but highly unlikely yes I've seen it done) or would you rather set 20 locations with one trap. I know my answer strictly looking at numbers would be 20 locations with one trap.