I have been at this a month. Solely trying to catch a few coyotes. I have read quite a bit, I have learned quite a bit. I have made mistakes. I am still not catching the coyote. I believe he has tripped the traps at least 4 times. Is it possible he is slipping out of Duke #2CS? if I am covering trap with 4-5 leaves could it be the leaves are providing the ability to slide out of the jaws? I have caught and released 2 raccoons on my dirt holes. Here is a picture from yesterday AM. Trap in Red, three paw prints just left....

Depending on what kind of leaves you use, it could cause issues with your trap. Can be hard to tell what animal caused a trap to fire without getting caught it most cases.

I had two traps at the same tree 90 degrees apart of the base of the tree. (And a Trail cam... ) Coyote walked straight up (in the snow, lone set of tracks) and tripped both traps. In that case I believe the 6+inches of snow never really put him in the traps? Any thoughts?

My first catch on about day 3, was a double spring trap with an 18 in rebar stake... Whatever it was, and it looked like coyote claws, SHREDDED a 6 foot circle of ground and took it all with him... 1st hard lesson learned.
I bought proper anchors.

I had my most recent dirt hole bait clearly dug up and the trap sprung, chain pulled to full taught, straight away from the hole, but absolutely no sign of distress, as if maybe it BARELY grabbed something that pulled straight out the second there was tension?

Another was popped and sitting neatly in the hole just the jaws protruding from the ground, I almost assume that just went off "on it's own?"

As I post random and not chronological questions---
How long do you leave a trap set? If nothing has happened in a week/10 days is that ok?
WIth rain and snow, does that change appropriate time in the ground?

Are you a member of any trapping association? I would look into finding one and becoming a member, then perhaps they can help you find a mentor to go along and help you.

What is your pan tension set at? Some tension will help with the trap setting off in the bed and going off too early with snow on them when the animal steps down. 2# is good for fox/coyote. If going after coyote exclusively 3-3.5# is good.

As you learned always double cross stake rebar or use earth anchors when there is a possibility of catching coyote.

The trap pulled up out of the bed with no disturbance was most likely a deer. They pull the trap to the end of the chain and pull right out.

I feel like I’m about to learn something here, regarding pan tension I loosened the screw so the pan flops freely i.e. what I envisioned as a hair trigger, not the way to go?

Yes and no, too much depends on how much the pan travels before firing. If you have a long trigger throw where the pan almost hits the baseplate before firing, no pan tension can be good. With a lot of guys running short notches that fire with little pan movement, you need heavier pan tension to guarantee a good hold.

Tighten that pan back up quite a bit. You’re not likely having a coyote trip the trap. A Duke #2 is stout. Or my preferred trap but I’m scared of them around my fangers. Tighten it back up to 3lbs. Given you’re new, you likely don’t have a pan tester. You don’t need one but you should make that pan right enough to feel like you’re crushing a marshmallow. If that makes sense.

Or a semi-hard horse turd. Lol.

That loose pan will creep down on its own and snap without anything touching it.

The method I use to set my pan tension.... Tighten that screw until it will hold that 18 rebar stake when you put it on the pan. A slight bit of pressure and the trap should fire. That is what works for me.
There are other methods of anchoring as well. Cable/chain to a tree and cover with leaves. Or a drag depending on the area your trapping.
Take those leaves and crush them up into a chaff. Some people will use natural material to cover their traps ie grass clippings, crushed leaves, pine duff. Some use hay or straw, again that depends on your area, from what I hear deer love hay and will mess your sets up.
I would think that your area, VA, would be really good with waxed dirt, peat moss or wheat hulls.
I would suggest finding your state trapping association become a member and try and attend any meetings or gatherings they may have.
Hope some of this helps and that you get some tight chains!

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