Hi there,
I’d like to start putting some sets out around a cabin 8.9k ft in Co…. I am limited to box traps because my state is so dang dumb… would love some advice on how to set them/ good lures. I am 99.9% sure none of these animals will have seen a trap before I will be targeting bobcats and coyotes. They are really hard on the turkeys, fawns and calves. I still hunt them with a rifle and calls, but I think my success rates would rise a lot if I could keep the traps out for 4/5 days at a time while I’m at my cabin and then check them every day vs. just a couple of sits with my rifle

Coyotes will be a no-go for the most part. Consider yourself one of the lucky few to catch one in a cage. Cats are relatively easy, good lure and set on location should payoff if one comes around. Where in the state are you?

Northern Co and some of the frontrange think unit 28,29, & 20 Familiar with the area, lived/ hunted there a lot of my life and have a place around 9k ft like I said. Just never dabbled with the traps

Go with biggest live trap you can afford. Make It easy for that cat to go Into that trap.
Can you use snares?

Nope, no snares, footholds, etc. cages only for a few years now gonna be tough, but it would be awesome to get a few bobs this winter. When setting cages are you trying to disguise the cage at all? Like cover it with foliage or just letting it sit there plain Jane?

A little foliage to make It blend In but you don't have to over do It. I think the most important thing Is to put some ground duff on the bottom of the cage so the cat Isn't walking on wire.
Good luck.

Thank you! Thank makes sense. Hope I can come back with some nice coated bobs come late Nov/ dec

If I were in your shoes. I'd click on his user name, send him a PM, and ask Monster Toms for the help you seek. He is in your area and knows his stuff. Probably easier for him and you.

Thanks I will do that

Think about dispatching those cats and other catches you make...need a good system.

Beav is right, get biggest you can afford, and think “taller” when buying. You can get a cat to enter a tall narrow trap easier than a low one built more like coon height. Don’t make cats try to squat down. The bigger taller traps will take variety of species like cat, coon and fox. I caught way more coon too in bigger traps than the standard “coon size” traps.

Forget coyotes in a cage, waste of time trying to pull that off.