Hey y'all,

I've been trying to catch some coyotes and I keep getting coons in my coyote sets. I don't really mind catching them, but I notice it messes up their legs pretty bad sometimes. Is there anything y'all can suggest I can do to avoid messed up legs? I've considered increasing pan tension as a solution, but it seems complicated and I don't want to miss any coyotes. Any insight is appreciated

Offset?

24 hr checks?

I have offsets, I was thinking about going with regular jaws to avoid potential pull outs. I notice rocks get stuck in the jaws sometimes and they can't shut all the way. Never missed anything yet, but does make me wonder, but if offsets help with the coons then I'll keep them. Yeah I check them every evening, sometimes in the morning if I can. Maybe go to checking every 12? A few other considerations I've thought of are adding more swivels or cutting off the metal rod on the traps where you could convert to a 4 coils. Don't know if that'd help

More swivels, cut off the spring pins, go to closed jaw all might help. What kind of damage are you seeing though? If it’s toes then it’s from chewing and none of that would help. If it’s at or above the trap jaws then those could help. Also try not to set in grassy areas if you can help it as that binds the swivels and can create problems for some animals. I think the earlier you can check the better, but not sure if that increases visible foot damage either

Closed jaws help. I don’t notice much with coons, possums are a different story. Something that may help is going through and setting DP’s for a week or so before setting coyote sets. I’m not on a time limit when trapping properties, it’s up to me how long I stay. When it’s cold I’ll go ahead and start making foot hold sets. If it’s warm when I start I’ll put out DP’s first to thin out the coons/possums. I went to peanuts in the shells this year and they are pretty much rain resistant and catch critters. I had been using what they call “oil stock” and that’s good when we have a dry spell, but clumps up when it rains a lot.

Gotcha, with the mbs I just add a dirt anchor and roll. It comes with 2 swivels so I'll add one in the middle to so hopefully that helps. Cutting off the pins is easy enough. So a off set might be making it worse? I guess the best way to convert is to weld some more metal on them to fill the gap. Yeah the damage is right where the jaws are. Looks like it's breaking or fracturing their leg bones above the ankle. I suspect there's some chewing going on too, but their toes always seem to look good. Ok I'll avoid grassy areas and try to check them sooner. Makes it hard though when your working and doing trapping as a hobby haha. What about more chain? The mbs don't come with much. I really appreciate y'all's help

My chain setup is swivel off the base of the trap, 2 links of chain, another crunch proof swivel, another 2 links of chain and a final swivel. I don’t think chain setup matters much on coon from my experience. I’ve caught them on 10’ cables and the above mentioned chain setup. Normally grassy areas where the swivels get bound are my biggest issues when it comes to feet

Ok I'll do that and see if that helps. Again I really appreciate the help

MB 550's and coons don't mix well. Not much you can do about it.

What Bison 88 said.
Just too much trap for a coon.

Too bad there isn't some magic trick I can do to keep em off my coyote sets, but I ain't catchin' any coyotes so at least it's something I suppose

No magic tricks. Think things out. Use your woodsmanship and learn your target animal. Reason things out then solve the problem.
For instance-
Make some flashy, smelly Coon sets nearby or set DP's nearby or blind set trails to ambush Coon before reaching canine sets. Not 100%, but you will cut off Coon thataway.
On another note, I have a better Coyote catch rate when staying away from set. Checking from a distance that is. Just saying...

I haven’t found a way to keep ‘em out here either. 550s are easier in them than bridger 2s or 3s. I’ve had better luck in 550s with the lower jaw height and flat jaw faces. I do set back a ways and get a lot more hind foot catches on coon than I used to when I crowded the set closer. Swivels are your friend. So are short chains and don’t give ‘em anything to grab onto.
I’ve learned to be OK with coon (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) they weren’t paying much but were worth more than coyotes this year anyway. Putting in two and sometimes three sets at a location at least kept other sets running if I had an incidental coon. I do put in a lot of DPs near the cover and edges where I find coon sign. Hoping it’s helping but I don’t know.
I don’t think I’ve ever had a coyote season where I took just coyotes. I always end up with about as many coon if not more than I do coyotes. The mb550 and Bridger 2s are actually my go to now. I like 3s but they are way too big for incidental coon.
Post sets, baited dirt holes, doesn’t matter what I make I get coon.
At least the coon I pick up around here in the more out of the way from cover coyote sets tend to huge coon. They help me pay for gas and always have something to skin too. Always a bright side, right?
Jim

Thanks for the response y'all. I do think I have a bad habit setting too close to the lure/bait. I have been setting a few dps by my sets, but the coons have nothing to do with them. They sure do like the dirt holes alot more it seems! I'm baiting the dps with smokey nuggets. It was an impulse buy at Cabela's. Probably should stick to marshmallows. Luckily I got some extra swivels in so as I pull sets up I'll add a swivel. I also wonder if I should have gone with the 450 instead of a 550, but we seem to have some big coyotes around so I'm not so sure that's a good idea

I learned over the years if you want to put coons in a DP and out of your dog & cat sets there are a few things to consider before throwing out some traps. It might work or not for you, as this is based on trapping in Louisiana and Mississippi. I keep detailed notes on my sets and over the years I came up with these. My guidelines are:

1) Type of bait for a DP or leghold is dependent upon the weather. Cold weather coons want food that is heavy in fat. Fish, animal fat, and such will attract them. When the weather is warmer molasses and corn is the ticket. They love sweets in warmer weather. If I use this guideline it draws coons to the DPs and coon sets.

2) Use a coon lure. If the trap is not near a tree I will put a little on the DP or a stick near the leghold. If the trap is near a tree I will put some coon lure about 3 foot above the ground on the bark. It seems to draw them in as its a coon they haven't smelled before and they want to steal everything they can from other coons.

3) If I'm constantly getting coons in my dog and cat sets, I review the baits and lures being used. I try to change it up or limit what I put out. I have found if I use a bait and a couple of lures I will get more coons as they think its a free for all. If I use one bait and stick to one lure, I catch less coons.

4) Pre-trap before running dog and cat sets. If I know a area is going to be full of coons I will lay waste to them. After I think I have put a serious dent in them I will give the area about a week break, staying away from it. Then I will will go out and set my dog and cat sets. It might not eliminate the problem but it sure helps.

Funny, y’all done have ants in LA? I do it just the opposite out of necessity dealing with the ants. Sweets during the cold weather, if you can call it cold, and dry, peanuts/corn, during the summer months.
The only way I can get away with anything sweet during the warmer months is if I’m setting near water. I can poke the DP right inside the edge of the water, anything on dry ground draws in the ants.

Most of the ants we have now are fire ants and I don't set near their nest. I can't remember the last time I had ants get in a set. Funny you mention ants as many years ago when I was a kid it was hard to keep the ants out of my sets, but they weren't fire ants.

We have a different kinds of ants. I could drive and anchor through asphalt down here and put a DP with grape koolaide flavored cat food or corn or peanuts and it will have a bed over it by the end of the day. Even dirt holes with bait get covered once it warms up. My only trick there is a dirt hole with no bait and just a Qtip dipped in Gusto down it. Still catches critters and if the notes reflect what I’m thinking, I’ll just use Gusto down dirt holes next year, lol. But I have a whole bucket of preserved bobcat meat from MTP that I’ve put in old lure containers and each has a little something added and one is out performing the others. And the good news is it doesn’t attract ants as quick as some of my baits.

I'm in east Texas so I bet it's similar. Ok good ideas, I appreciate it. Don't have too many issues with ants here in tx this year, but as it warms up it might be my next problem!