Seeking advice form experienced coyote trappers. Started to get into coyote trapping and have on numerous occasions found my traps sprung and pulled out to the end of the chain with no critter. Not sure what the remedy is for this situation. Would like some input. I'm using Duke 550s with screen pan covers in flat and dirt hole sets. Traps are placed 8 to 9 inches from backing and have about 1/2 inch of peat/waxed dirt cover. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Those are deer snaps. Chain pulled tight no catch circle almost always means deer.

Also will note just a opinion ask 20 trappers you’ll get 20 different answers. But 1/2in of coverage on top of a trap is also taking a 1/2in off your traps jaw spread capability. The critters foot is now a half in above your pan when fired causing its foot to be a 1/2in less in the trap.

And that much more cover to potentially freeze, and that much more cover the trap has to come up through

Deer. Try a step down dirt hole, it will help. I use all of a 1/2" of covering and sometimes more most of the time. Has its advantages and some disadvantages. But I don't like the 550s for coyotes either.

I have some Duke 550s and have caught a few coyotes In them with no issues.
But It does sound like deer catches.
As to your dirt covering. If It's good dry dirt when the coyote steps on It It will compress and the pan drops and In my opinion a 1/2" Isn't to much.

In most cases It's urine at the set that get deer Interested. Place your urine to one side or out In front of your set and see If hat helps.

Thank you all for your input. Beav, I never thought about urine attracting deer. No shortage of deer in the area. I will try placing it off to the side/front.

Deer are some of the most curious animals out there. Urine and even lure attracts them. I have pics of 4 does standing around a dirt hole set and 2 pics later my trap is out of the deck and white flags going every direction. I swear I think they dare each other to set it off. A first check is always 1/4 of my sets tripped by deer. But the good news is after that first trip on that particular trap, they’ll leave it alone.
My only question is if you’re using a screen cover, why the dirt or peat?

Probably because he wants to cover the trap jaws and spring levers and the screen. LOL

Then what’s the point in the screen? Serious question, not being a smart butt about it. Serious question. If I use a screen even on a dirt hole I still use grass.

Keep the dirt from getting under the pan.

Well I don't use screen but I like a Large pattern so the trap has to blend In and that Is done with dirt.
And I find that grass dries out and In heavy winds It will blow away. And of coarse If your not setting In grassy areas grass wouldn't work as a covering.

This right here. If I have that problem its deer. If it is canine my sets are usually dug up and a little bit of a mess.

Had a wolf trap snapped in this check, pulled to end of chain and empty. Pan cover still on the trap. Classic deer or elk style. Had a check last week with trap wrapped around a sage bush and hair in the jaws. Snow melted off enough to look at the area around the set today, something with teeth was in that one, looks like a toe catch on a wolf possibly, maybe a lion. Big difference in set disturbance between that one and the deer tripped one.

Bitterroot put ya a trail cam up to cover the area of the sets to watch the deer investigate the urine at your sets
Last season I had to quit using any urine at my sets due to snapped traps

And yet you can buy coyote urine or fox urine sold as a deer deterrent.

Haha. Best cover scent out there is Red Fox urine.

This why you do not not use small 2 size traps in places of a lot of snow

Deer i had several sets done Tuesday morning. Deer

Make sure your traps are bedded very well (ZERO wobble) and make sure the ground around the pan is packed very solid...peat could give you an issue. Try not using peat and see if they still get snapped.