Getting back into trapping after a 35 year hiatus... going after coyotes primarily but I won't be sorry to see a grinner or two in my sets... I fully intend to get schooled this first year on coyotes... it was all coons and foxes when I was a kid. So how long did it take you guys to connect on your first coyote?.. I'm in no hurry and won't be surprised if it takes a season or two... from some of the stories I've heard talking to guys, there are some funny first year learning curves worth sharing...

Depends on how many sets u make and the coyote population and also some luck. About a month here with one trap set.

It took me two years but I didn't have many traps set and not much land to trap on but I've heard of one such guy it took him like 4 years and some connect within their first year. Good luck and tight chains

Wow, your story sounds like mine...it was 35 years since I’d last trapped when I started back almost 2 years ago. My first coyote took about 3 weeks. Then another about a week later. Then I caught a cat and thought I’d really done something, then realized I couldn’t keep cats outa my sets and apparently I wasn’t that good, we just had a good cat population. Last year I ended up with 15 coyotes and about the same number of Bobcats as the previous year. Have 3 more days before I can get some sets in the dirt.
Reading EVERYTHING posted on here and the archives really helped last year. Not everything will work for me, but sometimes combining what works for others will help you catch a coyote you might think is uncatchable. I learn every single day, whether it’s reading here or scouting for sign (which a lot of that was “learned” on here as well.) Also pay attention to any post with YouTube videos.

Set with the mindset your going catch a yote not just get lucky and catch one it makes a difference.

I'm going to remember this. Wise advice.

It took me several years to connect with one. So far I've only been able to snare them. I think my hang up is I spent so many years making cat only sets, I was doing everything I could to avoid everything but a cat.

My story was much like yours. I trapped a lot in the 70s and 80s, then due to work schedules, quit for 30 years. Started trapping again in 2013 when I retired. We had no coyotes here when I trapped previously. I didn’t get any my first season. It started to come together the next year.

Thanks for the responses! This is exactly why I posted...

I am a water trapper by choice.But did setor coyotes on an ADC job.I had they coyote the second day.
Over the years I have read everything I could on all the furbearing animals,even though I may not trapped for a certain animal,I had learned how--by reading.
At one time I had never trapped for beaver.They moved into an area I trapped for mink,coon and rats.The land owner asked if I knew how to trap beaver.I told him I had never done it--but knew how.That first beaver set took 5 beaver in the next 5 days.My love for beaver trapping just grew from that.
Learn all you can about the animals you are going after.Set with the idea that you are going to catch what you are after.A positive attitude,is as important as anything in trapping.
Tom

Why do you want possums making a mess of your sets?

I set 2 traps at each set.... couple dozen mb650's. And a few snares.
First coyote was on day 5.

If you have a decent coyote population, and set areas that they actually travel. Watch some videos, and make sure your trap is bed rock solid and check them from a distance..... it wont take long as you think. Good luck!

set 14 K-9 traps in 4 locations connected on day 3 on a pipe dream.

^^this is the best advice^^

I'm confidant... when i was a kid i was fairly good with foxes and coons... I have a heavy yote population here and i can still bed a trap solidly... I'm also realistic and know they ain't foxes!...

3 months.

If you set on fresh sign it could happen the first night. Dont overthink it. Make you a dirt hole, put a trap in front of it and toss good bait down the hole.

When I was 14 I caught my first coyote in about a week. Flat set in the edge of the woods. Two traps is all I had. 1.75 victor 4x4’s. Thought I had mastered it. Caught a second one that season about three months later! Lol learned by books, no one to teach me. Nothing like experience.

Now I catch at least a thousand a year. Same two traps. They know me as Samson of the coyotes up here.

let the snow show ya everything ya need to know.i bet it isn't as long as ya think if ya listen to it.