Tejas threads are always very good,full of great info along with some of the best pictures.His attention to DETAIL is incredible,his note taking,record keeping etc.is unlike anyone I know,Jack GULO had made that statement about 3 or 4 years ago.Keep it up and thank you for sharing some of your thoughts with trapper's,novice to well seasoned veterans!

I agree. Have learned a few things from this thread already.

I agree, have learned a few things from this thread already.

That brush wolf is on to ya Tejas. That one may end up remaining alive as breeding stock....or as a target thru a thermal scope.

Thanks for the kind words fellas.

Keeping good records is time well spent and more coyotes killed.

I’m still hoping that a few more coyote men might decide to jump in and add some valuable insight.

It’s not so much a critique of methods, but a discussion of options for different situations


A remake is a good thing

Finding part of a projectile point at a remake is even better.

Dang Coyote!

Swamp, my magic bag of tricks is running low, and I ate the last rabbit I pulled out of my hat.


I can usually pick up some of the untouchables with blind trail sets, but there has to be a pattern.

Travel has been random at best. They are here one day and gone the next.

The sets already in place will most likely never pick up that wise guy as you well know.

New sets made along roads with existing sets will most likely be avoided as well.

Any new smell introduced would probably be shunned like the ones already in use.

Options are limited and chances for a catch are slim.

You are right on the money again JH!


I know where his main detour off the road is if he happens to pass by again.

I'm confident he will repeat the same pattern if he comes back by.

The problem is there is only one pass of tracks on that trail to work off of.

I will take a look and see if I can get a few blind trail sets on that section of trail if tracks permit.

It’s a long shot, but it’s better than taking no shot.


Good Stuff!

I ll come out and admit it I just set a second trap if I want a certain coyote beside flat sets, blind trails ,and mod.mafia sets in cow trails.
As long as that coyote does not set that trap off no schooling took place imo. And if they do set it off move trap 100' up or down trail use different lure or whatever and you got him or her if no catch circle was present ime.
Red

This thread has shared a lot of insights on difficult behavior.
Most of the places I have trapped in Maine, simply do not allow one to see what is going on around sets.
That is until a light snow. Then you can get a humbling view of coyotes giving you the cold shoulder.
Good stuff Tejas. Thank you to all the other coyote guys weighing in. A valuable thread.

Mac

Thanks Tejas good post as usual! Red, if Ma’ Nature would just back off us trappers a little, we could get our job done and move on but what fun would that be...lol
Tejas another question for you, how long after you pull up traps do you start seeing more coyotes migrating back in? A week, two weeks or are you restricted to when you have to pull traps up? Between mating season, the interference from others and the adverse weather ALL OF US trappers have to deal with I’m going to guess it is not too long.

Good Post Red.

I will add to Red’s post in that around here when a trap is exposed by a swipe of a paw or unearthed by a dig it's an educational moment as well.

It's a different type of schooling, but it leads to a lot of mayhem instead of avoidance.

I refer to digs as a defeated set. When this happens I will immediately make a change.

If you don’t adjust, you're giving the coyote a hall pass to turn your nice looking set into a yard sale.

I certainly understand the effectiveness of doubling the odds by adding another trap. After all, upping your odds is what it’s all about.

That is why I have three or four sets nearby in case one is defeated. That’s how I shift the odds in my favor.

If a coon happens by and mucks up a set I still have multiple traps fishing.

There is nothing worse than a coon jacking up your set & pulling the trap from its bed, then Wile E. drops by for a visit and a laugh.

Tejas, when you refer to a dig as a defeated set, do you just change things at the set or move the trap?

For my soil conditions I use and like a fiberglass pan cover. After taking 3 or 4 coyotes in one section you'll see where one has caught on to the lured/baited sets. The coyote will come up and dig/scratch at the pan and expose the pan cover. Most would think that set is defeated. I just grab the pan cover and remove it. The dirt has had time to settle in around set trap, so I just cover pan with dirt and remove cow pie, which is usually a typical backing for me. Then I add a piece of scat or other natural object laying around and squirt it with urine. Sometimes 2 natural objects spread 8" apart with a different urine on each object. That has resulted in many catches at that exact same dug set. Just by changing the presentation, look, and smell throws them a curve ball sometimes.

That's some good insight and strategy SPC.

That last sentence says it all. Folks should take that advice with them on the line every single day.


Silky, the trap always stays put in my case. For the most part, only the attractants are moved. If a look is reversed 180°, the dog will usually be turned to face the main attractant. For me, a swipe is certainly not a defeat. A set excavation is self-explanatory. I’ve found that only some diggers are hard to catch. The swipe and walk coyotes are in another league here.

When they swipe and expose the pan then walk off, it’s a real slap in the face to me. It’s like he is asking “Is that all the game you’ve got”? I take it like the coyote is mocking me. And the more I think about it, I’m certain he is. At least the digger gives me a chance! It may not be personal, but I certainly take it that way.

That’s when I start mumbling obscenities under my breath, and talk trash about the problem coyote’s Mama.

Then I whip up a little surprise or two for Mr. Smarty Pants.

Some sets may appear like they’re off the road a piece because of where the coyote is in the photo.

The coyote usually pulls as far over into the grass as he can.




I always get as close as I can to the road’s edge without my traps becoming a statistic.


Male - Flat Set – G-Dog Urine – Winter Wolf

Excellent tip for all trappers TEJAS! Set as close to the action as possible.

I had a statistic awhile back, survey crew got a full tire width outside the lane. I’m going with texting and driving LOL.

Cattle guard crossings will usually afford you some great set locations.

This photo was taken before traps were set.

Keep in mind when you are reading sign, a few coyotes can make a lot of tracks.

Notice the traffic at the left hand corner of the guard. The main direction of the tracks is coming though the gap then taking a left and skirting the field.


A set was going to be made on the turn where the trap is placed, but an army of harvester ants thought otherwise.

I started to make the set anyway, but the ants called in reinforcements. All of the sudden the other side of the guard looked like a much better location





These two photos are for Yoteguts.

Check out the traffic all the way up to the edge of the guard




They must be circus coyotes.

Surely they aren’t jumping it are they??

Not sure about South Texas, but in Indiana cattle guards are low rent housing for mice, rats, ground squirrels, rabbits, etc.

Things that are on a coyotes menu. Something to keep in mind.

As you would think , all through traffic goes around the gate.

In the second photo, the foot traffic is only on the North side at the middle of the guard. We have a dominate South Easterly wind.

Small kangaroo rats like to hold up in the guards, then come out at night like little gremlins and mess with your set.

Like JH suggested, they are probably just looking for a snack . They will walk out on the guard to get a better look into the abyss.

You can sometimes see faint tracks where the sand on the paw stuck to the moisture on the pipes when the coyote crossed.

Man what I’d give for a light snow or sandy roads. Pine needles and leaves don’t leave very much sign.
Thanks for sharing the pics and your insight to these critters.