Going to look at a job that’s a pretty good size sheep and goat operation. They are getting absolutely hammered by the coyotes so I’m looking forward to getting after them. I’ve never trapped around sheep. For the experienced trappers that have what issues did the sheep cause you? Are they as curious about sets as deer or cows? Does the salt in urine attract them ? Do they pull out of traps as easy as deer? I run mostly 4coiled mb550’s. Any advice from those that have trapped in the same pasture as sheep is much appreciated.

They like to get into traps, sheep dont pull out. They are attracted to urine. Basically sheep are on a mission to die, one of the dumbest animals around. I trapped around them for several years. Goats IDK.

Western Wildlife Services.

I was afraid of that. Probably going to really on fence line snares heavily.

I did catch a lot of coyotes in snares on that job. They finally realized they paid me all the profits. Sold all the sheep.

wws

Sheep can and will go places cattle won’t. So good luck gettin away from them.

Best bet is just don’t set in pastures with sheep in them.

Very very few to none will pull out of a #2-3 sized trap. Their foot is more like an antelope than a deer. Easy to hold.

Well looks like snares will pretty much be my only option.

Yeah, I won't take a job w sheep/goats in the pasture. Not worth the headaches

What has been said already....AND be sure to communicate with landowner as they say one thing and do another....like pasturing the sheep in areas they said they would not. Bring the catch pole with you. And IF working hot weather get out there early to check. Good luck.

I heard a well-known western trapper say that sheep will die if you look at them wrong.

I know I caught a few and turned them loose, don’t think many of them made it though. Real pain to trap around. They do draw the coyotes in though.
Around here a coyote kills one, the eagles are on it early, finish it up and the coyote has to kill another one the next night. Puts the pressure on the trapper for sure.

wws

I've never trapped around sheep, but I've talked to quite a few trappers that have, and I've did a lot of lion and bobcat hunting around them. Have guided lion hunts for years for a guy whose family and in laws both raise sheep, As they have said many times, sheep are born looking for a way to die. Have talked extensively with the trappers who trap around those sheep. Pretty much what everyone has said is what I've heard, they won't pull out of a trap, any trap that will hold a coyote will hold a sheep, and they get into all sorts of places. They are an absolute magnet for predators. You can believe there are no predators in the area, move a flock of sheep in and you will have predators everywhere.

If they are fenced, not open range, and you can trap the surrounding areas I would trap heavily all around the sheep and avoid the pastures they are in. Most sheep men have guard dogs, they wander, you will likely catch them, be prepared to release them (some of them things are mean!) And think about dogs when setting lethal sets like snares.

Thanks for the info. Lots for me and the landowner to talk about it seems. Starting to sound more like a nightmare I don’t want to be a part of lol !

Do a fair amount of trapping for friends in Southwest Texas who run 12,000 goats. Literally impossible to keep them out of traps and I use MB450s in the goat pastures. I only set steel on fresh coyote sign. Snares are your best option. Other than a bobcat killing a goat kid in a trap once, never had any issues with turning goats loose. When they start kidding the whole pasture sounds like a predator call.

Well I got off the phone with him and he’s getting hammered every day. He’s going to clear a small pasture and drag the carcasses there and I’m going to set the trails going to the dead pile and snare the fences. I think it’s a mixture of wild dogs and coyotes. He lost three last night and 6 so far this week. One carcass was carried completely away. There was a confirmed sighting with trail cam picture s to confirm of a big cat 4yrs ago. That whole sheep carcass being carried off has me wondering what exactly am I dealing with here. It screams of feral dogs to me and there several in the area.

I tried it one time, spent more time remaking sets. Big pasture in the timber no places for cable. Was not a good experience.

A few years back I had a lion taking sheep off, he would grab them jump the fence with them and headed to the berry patch. Was a lot harder not having a carcass to work with. From what I have seen dogs don’t pack them off, just run them and. Leave them. Sheep die from stress too, not a lot of will to live.

wws

My neighbor has sheep. Coyotes got so thick they were coming into the yard to try to kill my lab. That is why I started trapping them last year. 23 coyotes last year and 15 this year within a mile of my house.

Neighbor with the sheep hasn’t even acknowledged the effort. Some you win some you lose.

Well i basically turned it down. Lots of close neighbors real close with dogs running loose and with no cover little Jimmy would wake up and see his best friend “Spot” bouncing in a my 550. Told him I just didn’t need that drama in my life so we went with option two. I gave him a crash course in trapping and sold him a dz 550’s and set 6 traps with him and we talked about baits lures and urine. He paid me for my time and I wished him well and if he had any questions to call or text.

One of his Neighbors is setting Duke 850’s. I just smiled and said nice trap.

Here ya go.

That guy hiding the hip boots behind his back?,

Nope, his Velcro gloves…

How did you know?

You would limit yourself somewhat but can't you trap just outside the fence or property lines? On cattle or sheep farms i have trapped like that with a quad. Don't know how large your farms are though