I've seen one tablespoon, one or more, two tablespoons, 2-3 tablespoons in late winter, and two or more tablespoons recommended. I guess two or more means ~ (approx) 3, however that amount shakes out, it's still a lot of commercial bait to me.

I took instruction this last winter from 2 trapper's that are big bait and lure makers. I found out, I am a bait makers dream. Was shocked how little bait and lure they used. I am using way to much. Oh , neither one used much urine. One trapper hits several states and uses less than a gallon for the entire year.

After reading Russ Carman's Musk, Mystery & Misconceptions book this is what i would do. As long as you know you are on location i would put at least 2 sets in. Use what ever sets you have the most confidence in. Sense the coyotes have plenty to eat already using a bait might be hit or miss. I would use any type of lure or urine besides a food lure at or in your sets.

I'm definitely not a heavy hitter and I don't have a bait/lure career. I simply like to read a lot and have watched a lot of animals both in person and by camera. I will give you something to ponder. At home sometimes you try to feed your dog something and he simply turns his nose up at it. I've also seen curiosity lures that my dog will run right by without even taking a second glance. I've never seen my dog make it by a marked tree or fire hydrant without giving it a whiz. Also it's pretty common knowledge that a lot of gland lures contain urine.

Seems that most canine trapping comes down to two options. They either want to eat it or they want to breed with it. I'm not confident myself to just go down to one thing. In fact I'm a pretty big fan of just bait/urine at 90% of my sets. I know guys are just the opposite at 90% lure and urine at their sets. I'd be willing to guess you could drop the bait/lure and just squirt quality urine and have very similar catch percentages if on location. I'm not at a point where I really want to find out yet.

This year I'm going to try using less lure especially and see what results I get. It seems my sets in the past have to cool down before they get worked. In the snow, I can see where they will approach a fresh set but won't commit. They get a couple feet away and turn and leave.

Try different things until you find out what they want then pour it to em. But that still only works good for a limited time.

I use just a little over a teaspoon in my dirthole and pipedream. I use mostly ground deer I have a batch made with jamesons bait solution and a batch with Dobbins.
J

I've noticed that I do best with mild lures. This may be part or all of the reason.

I don't use bait very much at all. Iv'e always been a lure guy. reason being well formulated lure covers all the urges, and I get more response from lure over bait. Always start with a little dab and increase the amount as the temps drop. Most sets have at least 2 lures applied apart. If I use urine its at a urine set where it belongs , just a short squirt. I've had sets lured in November catch coyotes in February.

Ryans spot on, coyotes gonna either pee on it or eat it... or try to anyway

Wouldn't be hard to ask the coyotes whether they like a lot of bait down the hole or a little. A couple of holes at a few locations and you would have a good answer not just an opinion or theory.

Fresh ground meat I use a lot ( 1/4 pound or so ) tainted or skunky I will use up to a pea sized amount in cold weather and a BB sized amount in warmer weather .