So the weather has been horrible for trapping in my area this year. I have not hit it as hard as I should. I was out rabbit hunting Saturday and seen tons of coyote sign so I decided to put in a set behind my house. On today's check there are tracks leading up to it and stopping about 3 ft away. I'm using different bait this year. It is a dirt hole set. I have caught coyotes every year so I do somewhat know what I am doing. Any idea why tracks would stop 3 feet away. I'm thinking I need to change bait.

Wasn't hungry?

Welcome to coyote trapping! Be patient, his curiosity may get the best of him.

Last Thursday I had the same thing happen and then Friday morning I had him so I would say be patient he'll probably return

They can get suspicious of new things give him a week and show us the pic but stay away from the set getting close will spook him to the point he wont come back.

Use very little lure, pea size or smaller, one thing, a natural looking set with scratch marks helps

When did trapping start over there? At the end of October correct?
If you think coyotes are going to be as easy to take in late January as they are in October, I am going to hazard a guess and say they are not.
You are not in the land of milk and honey where they come in like muskrats every day, all season, like many places to West.
Trapping in the East, right now, the easy ones are hanging in some shed, or they have got a tad more eduction.
Those that just walk in by, you are not going to pull them in easy. At least those are my thoughts.

If you insist on a traditional type set, try a baited flat or cache set with bait only, and certainly not commercial bait. Something they would eat.

Not saying you cannot catch them this time of year in traditional sets, but I would suspect blind or trail sets would be better. Or straight post sets with top urine and droppings, no lure.
Good luck.

Mac

First of all let's establish a fact-I'm no coyote trapping guru. That being said, from my own experiences trapping them, leave the sets alone, the coyote will probably return.

When their is snow on the ground I look at the weather and see if its going to snow a couple more inches anytime soon.Making sets right before a snow storm and letting the snow blend everything together helps get coyotes to work the sets.I love trapping for cats in the snow but I hate trapping for coyotes in it.Are you allowed to use snares?

Cause that's what coyotes do. Sometimes they've got other things on their mind instead of investigating whatever you're baiting/luring with. Leave the set alone and eventually the same coyote or a different one will come along and check it out.

Thanks to all , I'm still learning.

Mac, not trying to pick a fight, but your comment about how easy coyotes are to catch out here leads me to believe you have never trapped in the west in late season! Yes we have a higher population over all, but when you get into breeding season, they ain't easy anywhere. Early season pups are easy anywhere too, but as the pop drops, they just get tougher! The rest is good solid advise!

got ya lee. just thinking more of them. no doubt you are correct. our seasons are short here. never trapped during breeding season, but have heard it is tough. I don't like arguing either.

mac

Electromagnetic field around the trap! I read about it on the strictly trapping forum, guy even wrote a book about it. Also the researcher on “extinct or alive” the tv show wears HEX SUIT while in his blinds. Supposed to dampen or block the electromagnetic field his body gives off. Disclaimer I’m not even sure I spelled the name of the suit correctly. On a more basic note the advice given by others above is what I would heed. Small amount of lure check from as far away as possible and be patient.