Hello, I am just getting into trapping and I just concluded my second season, as I can only trap over my winter break from college here in PA. Before season, I boiled, painted (Clint Locklear recommended that when using FMJ) and then I dipped my new traps in FMJ. I made 20 gallons of waxed dirt and boiled and dipped my tools as well. I used dirt holes and flat sets mostly. However, I failed to catch any canines in 2 months. I had a yotes and foxes work a few sets but never step on the pan and I had the occasional dug up trap, which I assume were poorly bedded. I did manage to catch a bobcat in one of my flat sets and I caught some coon on warmer nights in a few water sets. However, I can't seem to catch a canine. I know I am in good spots as I can see tracks but I've had no success and if something could go wrong it seemed to. Is there anything you more experienced trappers think I am doing wrong or could fix for next year as my confidence and will to keep trapping is dwindling fast.

where is your trap placement on your sets

Are you getting to close to your canine sets to check them?

Put The sets in and check them from a distance

Welcome to Tman!!!

Get a couple good DVD's on canine trapping ...don't give up!

Wind direction, sets on sign not 5 foot away, don't mess with the set, use bait and urine and lure that is proven in your area. All kinds of things that can make a difference. Weather can play a role in that also.

Join your state trapping org. and talk with the successful guys...lots of good info. Watch as many demos as you can and try to take at least one tip from the demo. And continue doing what you are doing asking and learning

What kind of traps you got incase you quit, lol?

What I’ve learned on here is keep it simple, set the predominant wind, don’t tweak or over lure, and have patience.

.. are you saying you had sets out for two months and didn’t catch? Or am I reading that wrong?

.. I’d like to help out here but will require more info... I think this could end up being a good educational k9 trapping thread if you have the time to lay out a lot of detail

i agree Savell need more info could be a number of things going on

Sorry, it took a while to respond, but I lay my trap 7 to 9 inches back and offset to the right, I've been setting at intersections and field edges. I check my traps on an ATV and I was getting within 20 yards or so. I did this because I had some deer step in a few and had a few dug up and I am concerned that if I check from distance I won't know if this happened. I also let my sets sit for a week amd a half before rebaiting or moving them, not for 2 months

Where were the tracks you saw when they checked out the sets? I’m guessing you had snow to go by. I sometimes wish we could get a little, that in itself would be a huge learning tool.

Depends, but usually within 10 yards or so, although sometimes right next. They should have been close enough to smell the bait and lure but they seemed disinterested or came close enough just to smell but didn't work the set.

Snow can be helpful and equally as frustrating

Not accustomed to trapping in the snow but I understand hay sets can be effective.
Now if it's dirt and you aren't having any action on your sets don't be afraid to set a blind set. Find their travel routes along roads and edges and set trap so pan is right on the track they left the last time through.

Is it possible that the waxed dirt was the reason for the refusals?

If you have not decontaminated your traps, whenever you remove them boil a quantity of water and pour it over your traps. This should help removing scent. I am not sure how you are handling your gear but If you are using a lure I would try to keep it along with bait away from traps in a seperate container, this prevent your traps from being contaminated.

There are different opinions on this, but this is what I do and it works for me.

As J Staton has stated , if you have enough snow you may want to try blind sets on a drag. This is very effective.

Look for trails and or locations where they are crossing e.g. ditch area. Look at spots where they have to go over an obtacle and where tracks are defined. Look for any type of funnel locations.

If you decide to go with blind sets, if all possible don't walk directly in the trail where you plan on setting, try to come from the side so they can't see you foot prints from distance and try to limit disturbance as much as possible. Try to use the top layer of snow to cover your trap, the dry/ powder stuff is what you want to use. Use a dust pan to gather the top layer it works good.

At this time of the year, I use a push broom to cover up my tracks, I find that at times it does help. With little drift your tracks will be covered in no time. If they don't see anything from distance they will be confidfent moving in.

If you are dealing with moist snow (it not the greatest stuff to use) , cover your pan with a thin plastic bag comonly found at you grocery store (plastic bag for produce).

Don't worry about trying different things and move to another spot if you need to. If am not sure about your local coyote population but I have spots where I caught 3 to 4 yotes at same location and where I have missed few catches and sometime it is wise just to leave it alone and move to another spot. You can always return couple weeks later to try it again. Continue with daily checks at distance this is the best way to do it.

Whatever you do, don't give up it will come to you.

Just my opinion, hope it helps.

Without knowing all the details, I think your location is off. Make sets inches...(NOT yards or even feet away) from coyote and fox tracks and scat.

SW is probably correct.
Or mildewed waxed dirt is a guess.

Catching anything at all?

X2 How did you make your waxed dirt ?

are you in an area that has been hammered[trapped hard] before you got there?