I know a lot of this is personal preference and dependent on the ground that you trap in. I am just looking for the most common. I am by no means a big numbers guy on coyotes, I am sure that some here catch more in a day than I can find tracks of in a week. My son is really getting into trapping, I am looking to build a jig if you want to call it that. So each set can be the same and we can adjust it as we go. My idea is to weld a short section of 3" metal conduit to a 1/2" rebar stake at the angle we choose. Tap it into the ground, then drill your hole. That way its more or less the same at each set and easy to repeat. You could also go as far as making a guide on the front say 6" long, to mark where the trap pan should be. This it all just an idea to help him get a little better at making his own sets. Do you think it may work?

I don't like it, but I'm not a big numbers guy. I like to let the land determine my set not the other way around.my holes are always at an angle towards the trap.

One of the things I enjoy the most about trapping is that every set can be different. I’m just a hobby type trapper and only have a few properties, but I enjoy spending the time thinking about each set and customizing each one. I’d hate to have to set the same set over and over again. For a long liner that runs and guns all day I’m sure it’s easier to just do one type of set.

Just a few words. A big dirt hole has always caught more animals for me. These days a smaller hole is more common just because of the theft problem sometimes. As far as how far back to set trap ya have to figure your target animal(s) size & where their feet will step. With time you will just know exactly how to make sets without a jig. But if ya just want a project with your son that is great too

I like them 30-45 deg and deep enough so they can't see the bait. Keeps them curious so they keep working the set.

Mine vary a bit but 45 would get most of them. I like them as deep as I can drill them. It’s a good idea but don’t overthink it. Just drill a hole and set a trap. Good luck and I hope you guys are successful.

I’ve experimented with dirt holes for 30 years now on coyotes. I’ve experimented because I can’t stand seeing a set of tracks that seemed to work the set and walk off . What I’ve found is a hole that is nearly vertical, let’s say 80* needs to have the trap up close . Like as close as you can get it and to the left for my liking. I’m talking center of the pan only 4 or 5” and just left or at 9: o’clock from the hole. I’m a firm believer that coyotes are no different than we are and 90 some percent of them will dig with they’re right foot to get to your offering. That means they will plant they’re left front foot to dig at the hole.

If I’m digging a hole at a chaff set with a mouse nest I go to a 40* angle and put the trap back about 8 or 9” and left about 3 or 4” . If you think about it , to look down a hole that is nearly strait down you will need to stand over the hole . If your looking in a hole that has been dug at an angle of 40 or 45* you will need to be back a little .

Angle of the hole is as important and distance of the trap from the hole in relation to the angle of the hole. The more of an angle, the further the trap. The more vertical the hole, the closer the trap. Gotta think how the target animal is going to look down the hole.

The angle and size of the hole changes a bit with each one for me. Slope, rocks or sticks that are present, type of backing all play a role in determining hole angle. Trap placement too. I just look at the set and imagine how a coyote will approach and work it, and place trap accordingly

I have to say I always wonder why when it comes to dirt holes the word "sees" always comes up. Most lures and baits are made for the sense of smell. I wonder how far back you guys set traps at flat sets where they can see the lure or bait from 10' feet away. I figure if my bait or lure is good their nose will be about an inch from the attractant or as close they can get it . Which means the opening of the hole. If your talking flat ground their nose will be at the opening no matter what angle the hole is. Maybe I'm over simplifying it

Yes sir you aren’t over simplifying it at all. Drill a hole and set a trap! I probably average 8” back but I don’t waste time thinking about it. I pay more attention to having a bit of a offset right or left. I’m more worried about if it looks natural and natural isn’t perfect.

Yes sir, in my opinion the angle of the dirt hole has less to do with what the coyote sees and more to do with where it will be putting its feet as it digs at the hole. A coyote will be trying to reach down the hole and pull out the bait, so a steeper angle will make it put one foot down closer to the hole while it reaches with the other paw, and a gentler angle will cause it to set its foot down farther away.

I could be wrong. That’s just the way I picture it happening.

I like to set a little off center too.

As usual I'll be the odd guy out. I can't tell you how many degrees my hole is, how many inches my pan is from the hole, how many inches I'm offset, or what direction they will approach from. I just pound a hole in that seems to fit where I am making the set and go. The trap goes where it fits. Weird I know but I can't say I've ever felt the need to measure anything making a set.

Measurements were a big part of my life, except for this.

To quote an old salt,
"Jamb that bleepity bleep set in there best it fits and get down the road and do it again".

There very well may be some magic numbers but I've not found it. Have found a lot of roots, rocks, slopes, high banks, inside corners, etc. There are too many variables for one size fits all in a lot of this internet talk. I sure enjoy it.

I do be sure and at least leave a lip between hole and trap so if they dig they don't hook the trap outta there.

Couple other thoughts.
I think of wind direction a lot more than down and distance.

Something that may have helped me early on,
Make every set as a flat set, then, the ones that were not "trap bed invisible" I'd drill a hole.

I intentionally change hole angles and diameters. I use the 1.5" and 3" augers. I dont change the appearance every set but several sets on same property are mixed up.

With all sets exactly the same you're likely to have some reluctance by coyotes at some point.

I may have spent way to much time measuring a coyotes stride when I see tracks, I’ve measured the length of their leg from center of pad to the elbow. I’ve measured from the tip of their nose to the centerline of the front leg. I’ve done all of this because I’ve got time and the curiosity. This is one of the few years that I’ve set more than a dozen traps . I like dirt holes, not much of a flat set guy . So next year when I will have the entire season to trap I will know when I hit a rock or tree root and have to change the angle of the hole from what I had planned, I know exactly where the trap is going for the best results.
Was it a waste of time ? Get back to me next year and I will let you know .

After things freeze up, dirt holes are out. I take some antifreeze and after 2-3 days I have a trap bed. Then I scratch out a little depression and take a chunk of 8-10"dia firewood and put over the depression and put some bait under it and hope for the best.