So I have a few hundred acres to trap but most is not good for k9 and I basically have only 2 good spots.

Anyway to increase k9 catches?

I always heard sets in woods are useless but idk

You just can't catch what is never going to be there. Now if you happen to have a cross over or travel way on you ground. That can can be a game changer. Doesn't matter if it's a acre or 100 acres. Location location location.

Mac

"Never Forget Which Way Is Up!"

They travel all over the property
A day or two after the first snowfall take a walk over the property
It will teach you more than videos and books can

X2

Truth to this

If you can find a Google image of the property - properties, and the surrounding airia
You can pinpoint most good locations. Most generally for coyotes peaple have a tendency to over set in a section of land I seldom set more than a couple of locations. It's OK to set more yust keep note of which airias have the action and eliminate the ones that don't. In time a light will come on and you will start seeing a pattern.
I've got locations 5 miles out of the way that I will set maybe 3 sets and they will produce coyotes for the duration of the time I'm there. You properties may have a super travel way locations.

Agree with this too. Find the sign and focus on quality of sets. Not quantity.

Starting now keep a diary for reference as years go by. Location, bait, lure, trap used.

If there are any decent creeks then everything will be traveling the creek one way or another. Decent creek meaning it generally is holding water of some kind.

Logs that cross a stream are dynamite. Almost all animals would rather stay dry and go quite a ways to cross a stream on a dry log or dam

Don't overlook your small woodlots. Just like big deer hang out in 5 10 20 acre spots. People overlook these. They feel safe. Can be a gold mine. Animals will filter through.
I concentrate on small acreage for hunting and trapping.

Sarge

Strategically dumped deer carcasses.

If your laws and landowners allow it put out large baits. Coyotes will come from distances to feed on a dead cow, horse, sheep. Put out the word and haul them off for farmers that have critters die. (Those that were treated with antibiotics may be rejected). You'll do better to set trails the canines use to travel to those carcasses and not set too close. Using google earth to strategically choose a place you can drop those carcasses and have good approaching trails to set (think hub of a wheel with the trails coming in being the spokes). Once you have a number of animals feeding on the carcasses you can set traps and or snares in those trails. It's best to keep your sets back 50 yards up to 500 yards. (animals are much more wary as they get closer to a communal feeding site and you'll avoid non-target birds and animals).

On a smaller scale, you can place small scent stations close to property lines to draw canines across the fence from neighboring properties. You want something loud like gallon of rotten fish (mostly juice) or a quart of rotten eggs . Gang setting a good location then dumping your stink in the middle a couple days later (after your scent has dissipated) works well.

Are sets in the woods any good? These tips are very very helpful.

Just the set in the woods is what's throwing me off.

Should I listen to a book I read that says that sets in the woods are useless or just do it and see if it works for me


There is a creek down in a bottom on this property. It's kinda like a valley, go down a hill on a atv trail then it's brushy, then goes back up. Got a coyote and red fox on trail cam there. But only once
Would really like to get a red

Dont worry about numbers. Learn how to catch what you have. When you do get more ground you will be a better trapper.

Should I set up t cams to see if I still have coyotes? If there's one there's probably more right?

All animals need food water and cover. Think about those needs for prey animals and the canines in the area your'e trapping. Canines will travel through woods to get to and from feeding areas. They will use woods for sleeping areas if surrounded by fields. The edges of woods and fields, logging roads, creeks, saddles (low spots on ridgelines) will get more use than a random featureless spot in the woods. Coyotes and foxes will also feed on wild grape, plumb, persimmons, apples, and berries you might have in your woods.

Thank you sir your very very helpful and make thing very understandable!

It will snow. Dont just find tracks. follow them. See what the critters are up to. Try to determine why they went where did. Look for patterns. You will learn a lot. If you have cameras put them out. I would not buy any if you do not. You dont need them.