I got a couple baits I would like to try out and I’m wondering if I dug 4 dirt holes over a 10 foot wide area would that hinder the results of an animal working the holes. I would assume that if they work one over the other that would mean they like it more…or should each hole be set up at different locations?

I normally just do 2 at a time so I don't have to worry about over stimulating them and affecting their reaction. I go about a foot and a half apart with the 2 holes and go with a minimum of 4 different locations. I do know some that will test more than 2 scents at one location though.

Thanks, makes sense.

Yes Sir, how far away do you normally set up the camera's? Sorry, I have not used any yet. Also are You testing the same Two Lures? at 4 locations? Using 4 camera's. Thanks!

I try to get camera back 30 or 40 feet for a good wide view. Probably only about 10 to 15 percent of my test sets get cameras. Not enough cameras to cover everything and a good testing location isn't always a good camera location in fact the 2 can be challenging to find together.

I really like to see responses from at least 6 different locations before I make a decision based off what I see. 4 different location would my personal minimum.

Yes Sir, Thank You. I see now what you are doing, testing on many different coyotes, good idea. Your data would have a higher accuracy!! Good Job!!

Coyotes cover lots of ground, you need to be placing your locations many miles apart to try to ensure you are not exposing your test sites of lure/bait/ingredients etc. to some of the same animals. That is something that can't be controlled and presents the tester some challenges.

Fool proof testing for high percentage data accuracy from different animals at various times of the year can be very unpredictable.There can be quite a bit of Trial and Error when product and ingredient testing. It truly takes a dedicated individual to collect unbiased results and high percentage usable data results.

Some may go from a small sampling and call it good. It may take several years, different states and climates to get good feed back on a well vetted product.

Most any stink down a hole can get some interest and provide curiosity from a target or non target animal.

It's the details that trail cams now provide us that help to give us better visual evaluations of how that animal reacts to that set. Sometimes the data collected is so different that it is difficult to make a definitive deduction.

Every animal may express a totally different response due to its age, time of year and its most recent experiences that are still quite clear in their reaction mode behavior.

Sometimes using what is deemed a good lure and bait can be hit or miss for all of us at times. That is just trapping when you have so many variables. That is why it is best to run as long of a line spread apart as far as is possible. The percentages go up when you are encountering more potential varying habitats of different family units. Small areas leave less exposure to your sets.

The down side of trail cams as has been noted by many already is the affect they can have on an animals behavior. It may change its possible normal instinctual reaction greatly if it becomes wary of an unusual sound or flashing/blinking light etc. Just part ot the challenge we face and how we must sift thru the data that we see and assess it over time.

Bob, Thank You also. Their is a lot of wisdom in your explanation of testing.

I have 5 areas I test at. One area has many coyotes in the area. I'm attracting 1 or 2 in the rest.

Everything I've tested seems to be attractive universally if it is in one area.

From sagebrush to forested areas there seemed no difference.

I however wouldn't make any claims outside a 50 mile radius.