All,
I decided to jump into trapping about 4 years ago. To say that my first couple years were a struggle was an understatement. I couldn’t catch the numbers like we all dream about, and I couldn’t catch K9 consistently. I watched plenty of YouTube videos, read some trapping books but was still struggling to put it all together.
At a PA state Rendezvous, I met Mark for the first time. I had heard about Mark and Coyote U, but didn’t know much about it. After leaving the show and going home and doing some research through his webpage, I decided if I wanted to reach my goals by putting up big numbers, I was going to need instruction from a professional. I signed up for Coyote U class 18.

WOW!! From the first day of instruction in the barn, to the last half day of learning Marks methods of putting up Top Lot coyotes, I was blown away!! This class had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Things started to click! From watching youtube videos, reading books, watching demos and trapping events, it was all coming together. This class cut the learning curve in half, if not shorter!

My first day of class was my favorite part of Coyote U! Mark really makes it simple and shows methods used on his line. Lots of videos and research to back up what he does and why his methods keep producing. He has some incredible information on family groups and travel patterns that will blow your mind! This was the most helpful part to me and I am sure it will help any trapper on their line looking to pick up more coyotes.

The second day was a lot of fun also. You travel all day around on his trapline and he shows you a lot of different situations and methods and exactly where he sets. It really starts coming together when he shows you exactly how he does it while out on his line. You really start to understand locations and were to set during this outing.

The last day of class was also extremely valuable. You see how Mark takes an extremely dirty looking coyote and turns them into Top Lot quality fur. The tips I learned from this were extremely valuable and something that I use in the fur shed every season.

This class is so much more than a pipe dream set. Trust me, he doesn’t hold anything back!

If your not happy with the number of K9 your catching and want to start catching big numbers, then this is the class for you.

Pic 1, fourth year trapping. 95% of these K9 were caught in 2 weeks. The rest were just messing around during Christmas break.
Pic 2, First year trapping, Very happy and we all need to start somewhere, however as a trapper we always want to catch more.
Jake Confer
Central PA

Looks like you paid attention...LOL

Lots of hard work there Jake. Good for you and congratulations on a great season.

Thanks for the share. Great pics!

Great story Longbeard, and you had an impressive season, congratulations.

One of the best trapping related experiences I’ve got to take part in. As stated Mark holds nothing back! No bs no gimmicks no trying to sell you on something or trying to convince you he’s the best there is he just gets down to business from the second you arrive to the second you leave and that’s to teach you how to become a better k9 trapper!

Well shucks, guys!

Funny, when Hammer and Jake were here, they left on Monday, jabber-jawing with excitement as they aimed their truck back to their native Pennsylvania........

They were talking so much and fired up, they went the wrong way!

I don't want to exaggerate the story to make it better, but I know they lost a few hours due to the error!

LOVE that story!

Quite a progression from one photo to the other......but Jake (like ALL successful trappers) knows you don't just go to Coyote U or ANY school and just add water, and POOF you get a barn full of fur for a hero shot!

You have to put in the time and work and sacrifice for ANY decent catch of fur for ANY species..........

BUT, a guy is SMART to cut years off of his learning curve by taking instruction from others......

I've said it a million times: take as much instruction from as many guys as you can afford!

Thanks for the kind words guys and HAT'S OFF to a season that while impressive, I am certain you will exceed and need a bigger barn in the future!

Zagman

It’s was pushing two hrs off track hahaha!

Can we take up a collection to send Savell to this?

Nice job guys but as the master said, you can learn all you want but if you don't get out there and bust it the critter's still won't come to your fur shed.

Great story! Zags know his stuff....I have nothing but good about his class....keep up the good work.
Jackie, I'm in for $10.00...lol

Saw Mr. Zagger do a demo at the 2017 NTA National... Was impressed with his methods, and he's a very good communicator as well.

Very nice job Longbeard12, your definitely making the most of your instruction.

Yep, CoyoteU was worth it, eye opening, educational, and never a dull moment!! Felt like a ten year jump in knowledge walking out of there and the confidence it inspired was tangible. I didn't jump in long lining, but trapping the same ground, I doubled my own catch numbers from the previous year in a very short time. I caught a good bit of fur on one farm, maybe too much, the guys son wanted to trap it this year and I bowed out, so beware of showing off what you catch, lol.

I say that same thing Mark, Jake has the work erhic thing figured out too.

I agree with what Mark says about going to as much instruction as you can afford. It's not about recouping "x" dollars in fur to offset the cost- it's about becoming a better, more knowledgeable trapper. The list of trappers that make a living (or significant earning) off trapping alone is short. I feel like trappers are by and large split into two categories- fur trappers and nuisance. I know both groups can take away integral pieces of information that connect the dots on the trapline. As LB12 said, the first day was my FAVORITE day, but I'm information and data driven.... Once he got the wheels turning and seeing things from a slightly different perspective, going out on the line made so much more sense. I have used OnX Hunt for hunting and trapping ventures for several years, but I've never put more time in front of a computer using it like I did following Coyote U! Prior to attending Coyote U I was always a "boots on the ground" kind of trapper, I walked endlessly to find the areas that we all search for, the pinch points, the areas of interest, etc... Now, when I go to an area that I've scouted on OnX Hunt, I save a pile of time by focusing on the high production spots. Would I catch k9's at other locations? Sure! You don't have to be a triple digit k9 guy to know that to have the best success, you need to be in front of the most animals- and to have the most opportunities you have to be able to identify the places that local critters will frequent.... get in those spots and move on, you'll learn that at Coyote U.

One of the hosts is GREAT and the other one knows a lot about coyote trapping. Gina really puts together an incredible spread and goes above and beyond as an incredible host- the food is amazing (and abundant), she's so friendly and accommodating, and she keeps
Mark in his place, lolol.

There are a few things for prospective students need to know before attending, get your pen and paper.... I'll wait....

1.) Don't call those K9's "Ki-yotes", you HAVE to call them "Ki-yoties", otherwise Mark will lose his mind...

2.) When Mark says a trap is rock solid, always double check.... I bet you can find some wiggle in it...

3.) Mark and company bring in all the firewood on the property for each Coyote U class. Much like the governments budget, if there is excess at the end of the course, their next delivery will be smaller. Don't short the next class any firewood, be sure to burn all that's provided.

4.) Be sure to ask about how important it is to eliminate human order.



P.S.- While Mark is adamant that there will not be a second version or level of his course, I'd personally LOVE to see an alumni course available. Perhaps one that is "student driven" where we can be put in a situation and show Mark how we would approach it and allow him the opportunity to critique what we've done. I know that when I attended Coyote U several of the topics would spark either a question or an "ah ha!" moment.... I'd REALLY love to go over day one again and help rebuild/restore the foundation of the knowledge that was shared with us. That refresher, along with experiences we've had on our own lines could be used to pick the brain of Zagman and take our trapping that has already been improved to the next level. Almost like a refresher course that incorporates post Coyote U student trapping experiences. For real though... I'd go back for whatever he calls it just to enjoy Gina's cooking....


EDIT- One aspect that I failed to mention was the effort that it takes to be successful. Everyone's "successful" is different. It's important for prospective students to know that they cannot simply attend ANYONE'S instruction and instantly get a better hero pic at the end of season. Knowledge for a trapper is invaluable, but knowledge without drive and effort is useless. I'm grateful to have some of the best trappin' buddies on earth and they know who they are, I think we help drive one another when we aren't even together- giving inspiration, giving advice, sharing past experiences... get yourself a fistful of good trappin' buddies and tractor trailer load full of work ethic and you can put up hero pics that you can show off and talk about for decades... trust me, there's nothing that brings a smile to my face faster than seeing or thinking of that hero pic- all the trials... the successes and failures... the follies.... it ALL comes flooding back. Be Good, Do Good, God Bless, and Go Bills!

Very impressive! Congrats Long…. ( I see you cheat and use young strong helpers)
Mark and all involved, good on you.

Osky

I am always appreciative of the fact that most trappers that achieve recognitition of being a fox trapper;or coyote trapper or beaver trapper are very skilled in any animal they to choose to focus on not just the one they are known for.Must have something to do with the work ethic.AKA Mark Zagger

Screw the coyotes ,can he teach me how to catch skunks ?!

…. Hey now I already caught as many coyotes on that barn in the heat and rain with no pvc or lawnmower clippings

… just lone star beer, Copenhagen and hardheadedness

.. maybe I should start a trapping school called Honkytonk U lol

… it is sad to see pa getting that many coyote moving in .. they hard on those pretty little fox

I'm in, how many cases of lone star is admission?


Congrats on your catches longbeard!

Heat and rain??? No one up here traps in the heat, lol. Rain freezes sets over, they look like hockey rinks for fire ants....