I’m trying my best to not make negative posts,, I figured this was a bit different and you guys would understand the frustration.
Have some clown trespassing and messing around with my sets.
I know a coyote would not do what I discovered today.
I run a particular variation of a big hole/trench set for my canines,,, and Ive done pretty good with it..
I use sod turnover as a backing and to help guide the critters into the trench…
Today I found the sod scattered, with one chunk about 10 feet from the set,,,
I had another set about 10 -12 feet away and this one had all the clods pushed in.
Traps weren’t fired and I don’t think the bait was dug out. I just left everything as I found it so that I can show the farmer when I can finally contact him about the trespasser.
I’ve never had this particular thing before, as far as the scattering…I’m pretty sure a coyote isn’t going to pick up a chunk of sod, about 10 inches long, and 5 -7 inches wide and carry it and put it down somewhere else.

There’s really no place to put a trail cam here.
About a mile to the south, a few years ago,,, I had someone who was shooting my coyotes with a thermal at night..I never did find out who they were.,

Sorry for the rant guys…
I don’t know why people are compelled to mess with someone else’s stuff.

That makes me so mad just reading it!!!

Any chance of putting the camera in a pile of say rocks or branches that look natural?
Some idiots don't think of looking down for a camera.
Any place along the road going in that you could hide a camera?

Just finished texting a good friend… he’s got a trail camera and said one way or another we are going to figure out how to put in a camera… he’s as mad as I am… he went with me the day I initially put the sets in.

I wouldn't rule out a coyote. Without any evidence of a trespasser my money would b on a coyote.

any cattle around?

John..... never say never and never say always.

Exactly !

Any chance of lure, bait or urine on the sod? I've seen k9s carry rocks, pieces of wood, and other items.

I wouldn’t contact the farmer and get him involved. Deal with it, and keep trapping.

Nagging the farmer will probably get you booted from trapping his property again.

Listen to what Jurassic Park said. It holds a lot of truth.

What other evidence of a 2 legged varmint do you have?

Shoe prints?
Tire tracks?

Don't get too worked up unless there is more evidence than a little dirt moved

Could very well be a critter

Now if you have solid evidence of 2 legged varmints then proceed with the hunt

X2 I have found people are the easiest critter to track. Also, have found none people critters the hardest to predict. Just my 2 pennies.

X3

Yeah... But, he might want to know that someone is trespassing on his property.... If it actually is a person and not a critter

Get that camera set. If you get pictures now you have proof.

Like I said, let the farmer deal with his own stuff on his own time. If he asks you about anything out of the ordinary on his property, then tell him. But don’t bring any crap to his plate.

Chances are if it was someone messing with your sets, they wont be back. Especially knowing you would figure it out.

yup

My money is on a coyote unless cattle are present. People are extremely lazy nowadays