You bet those transient coyotes can be spooky. Not just human interaction but other coyotes as well as the new surroundings as you mentioned..
Several really dominant coyotes will rule this area until they are taken out. I’ve even had a big male killed in a trap
This is a prime area with good resources and the locals do not hesitate to defend it.
Many coyotes pop in and out of here looking for a snack or a date hoping they don’t get caught I the wrong place at the wrong time.


Have you ever seen the way a lost dog in a unfamiliar neighborhood acts? He runs from place to place scared of everything.

I think a lot of coyotes new to the area will act the same way.

That is one old old coyote!!

Good deal there Tejas. That's one ole dog.The only time I see there teeth is when I'm putting a catch pole around there neck. I do t get to many close ups

I think he was looking for a nice retirement community to live out his golden years.

He picked the wrong neighborhood..

I've trapped coyotes at all times of the year and for the most part the same places year after year. I'll just share some of my experiences.

June - August would be what I consider the slower months. It's hot, they don't seem cover as much territory, and a lot of available food sources. The best solution is to get right in the area they frequent and then just wait them out. Not hard to catch them but just have to be patient. A good liquid mouse bait, coyote urine, or gland lure is what seems to work best for me during the warmer months.

Adult females don't seem to be any harder to catch than any of the other coyotes. I feel like 90% of the coyotes come fairly easy, the other 10 whether they be adult male or female can pose a few challenges. Adult females that are bred, like this time of the year, can be easily trapped with a good, baited set. I think it's because their hormones have kicked in and they need to prepare their bodies to provide nutrients they need for the pups to develop.

As far as coyotes being wary to new things that's their nature. But after passing a set a time or two and nothing has happened then they feel comfortable working it the next time around. I'll have a couple of sets in a section of pasture that takes 3 or 4 coyotes and then the others are on to it and avoid working the sets or the area all together. The solution - I just find another area they are traveling by tracks or droppings and then set it up.

Keeping in mind the time of the year also helps in choosing the bait or lures to use. During breeding season, I use a good bait with a good gland lure. That'll take a lot of your adult coyotes, whether they be male or female. Sometimes for the educated ones just use a fresh dropping or urine on a weed.

So, these are just some of the things I have observed. It's good to discuss and find technical aspects to apply, but for the most part just get out there and trap. With experience, time, and patient's coyotes will become easier to trap.

Those are some good observations along with sound strategy and advice SPC.

Folks would do well to read your post a few times.

Thanks for the input.

Road & Trail Recon.


At this particular location I'm specifically targeting coyotes on the outer edge of the ranch.

Primary wind direction plays a key role in what areas are selected.

This series of recon photos and ones to follow were taken in early February.





When the road surface is hard coyotes can be real picky about what line they take.

Notice how the road goes from a hard pan center to a soft edge just right of the two small rocks.





The powdered strip along the road's edge offers a cushion that is easy on the paws.

They will travel this narrow band almost exclusively when the rest of the road is rocky or hard.

Take note of how almost all the tracks face one direction. There is a good reason for that.

Not being there I am guessing wind direction is the cause for line of travel.I see in the pic facing your truck there is a trail that veers off on and angle set me a trap on the long point of that trail please pending wind direction.lol.

Judging by all those tracks....you need to tighten up Tejas!

Pretty Good eye SK.

That is exactly where they exited.
All of the traffic is headed the same direction because they are all going to the same place.
This location along with wind direction insures these coyotes are predominately transients.

The road traffic you see is s just A to B travel.
In this case I only set the destination which is B.
That is where Wile E. will end up, and that is where he will stay.

No need to tighten up Mr. Swamp.

Those coyotes don’t make tracks anymore.

Here is the spur trail SK pointed out.




This shot is a section of that trail.

Yes, all the pockmarks are coyote pads.




This is what I call rolling.



A crowd attracts a crowd. That is certainly the case with Wile E.

Here is a bit of trail recon.


At first glance it doesn't look like a lot is going on here.

The trail runs from right to left




Here is a little closer look.

What stands out in this photo?

They must be pausing to scent mark those bushes?

Something going on in front of that clump of sticks/bush

Looks like a slight bowl?

Exactly BT!

There is a second one to the left.

You don’t see coyote beds very often. Here are two side by side.
Most folks usually associate these areas with thick cover.
I believe weather conditions and time of day/night have a lot to do with where they end up.




If you pay close attention you can tell which way they were facing.
In this case the coyotes were facing the photographer. They bedded with the wind at their back.



Right Bed



Left Bed

Anything they were watching?

Or just a good place to soak up some sun and rest?

BT I am pretty sure they were just taking a siesta after dinner.

These beds in the open are not daytime beds for the most part.
They are used mainly in the late night and early morning hours before daylight.

The daytime sun is way too intense to stay in the open.
As temps rise in the early morning hours they will seek shade and lower temps often times along the creek.

It's interesting that they bed with their back to the wind so they can smell where they can’t see and see where they can’t smell.

Wile E. has this figured out pretty good.

Here is another example.

Once again the bed is right along a main trail.