This is the second adult male at this set

This big fella made it past three flat sets. He did not make it past number 4.

Good early morning light on a big South Texas coyote.

Great job catching them and great photography

Thanks BT.

I do my best to make the written word worth reading and the photos worth viewing.

I try to put a little thought into both before they are posted here.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. They certainly are though this pair of eyes.

This one is for Mac. Best of Luck this fall Sir !

Thanks Lefty!
I hope you are hitting on all cylinders soon!


Lefty, the photos I post here are the “B” roll for the most part.
I reserve the best snapshots for projects that might come up in the future.
I've incorporated more portrait shots over the years. The face tells the story..
The photos in “golden light” are only available for a few minutes each day.
To start, I have to time my check just right, & have the coyote in the right location.
Then the coyote must be a good subject and cooperate to get those top shelf shots.
Every now and then, it all comes together.

I love the trapping discussion and tips and the portraits. Thanks for sharing.

The Eyes have it . This is my favorite photo with the background

You’re Welcome Dan.

I must admit, I enjoy all aspects of the coyote line from beginning to end.
I knew there were a few trappers left out there that look at coyote trapping in the same light.

Okay Texas,

I have an observation after 90 pages. If you always put in flat set's like your pictures, and they are all the same, why does a smart old male or female get past the first 3 sets without getting caught but it's the 4th set that they work and get caught?

What is different on that flat set? Lure? (maybe). Trap placement? (doubt it but possible, other trappers yes, you No). Distance from the other sets? (N0) Better location? (N0) Better wind? (N0)

Or a combination of things? (maybe some combination of the above ideas and that is what get's them caught, this is my best guess if no magic lure or trap placement change)

Does this happen a lot or does it just seem like it do to the writing of the thread?

I think if set #4 was so magical you would be setting that particular set a lot more, so I doubt it also. You wrote this thread to get us thinking. You have got me for sure.

.What gets them past the first few sets? Chance most of the time.
What’s so special about #4 ? There is nothing special about any one trap for the most part.
The magic is in the gang set itself. The gang set’s effectiveness far exceeds that of a single presentation.
The odds of a catch skyrocket when a willing coyote is on the scene.

I'll add that I feel their comfort level rises to check out things when nothing negative happened on the previous passed sets.

I had 3 sets spaced out about 50 yards on a 2 track. A single coyote was traveling down it, only set of tracks, coyote approached the first 2 sets but really didn't work them. The 3rd set had a mature female caught.

Nice explanation, Tejas.

Thanks SPC.

I agree. If they interact with a set or two and a third or forth is right in front of them they will most likely hit those as well.
That really is the key to the gang set's effectiveness I believe.

Lure – Yes, I use different attractants at times

Trap Placement – I never move a trap. I move the attractant(s) constantly like a chess match.

Distance from the other sets - You Bet ! I crowd sets as close as I can get them !

Location - Absolutely ! ! can have one set that catches ten coyotes in a row, and have another set ten yards away that will catch only two.
The difference can be as simple as the orientation to a certain trail that gets much more traffic than the others.

Wind – Nope!


There is one other extremely important factor that can determine a catch (or not). That is the previous catch.

Dang, more answers to contemplate!

Seriously, Thank you for answering my questions. It really helps. I understand a lot more now.

It all makes sense, except for one small part of what you said.

"I crowd sets as close as I can get them" -why do you put them so close together that one coyote can reach another coyote? I do understand that the location is a major draw, when you see it, you slam as many good sets in as you can in that location. But why so close to the other set, if they can reach each other. I thought that was a bad idea, to let one get at the other.

After thinking about this for a few days, I think you do that because it will up the odds that the set so close to the caught coyote gets worked a lot more if there is a caught coyote next to it. Is this why?

Find a good location with wagon wheel trails and set it up really hard. Put in as many sets as the location can handle, get them close, one after another. Got it! Thank you!

I am learning a lot from you. I have been reading your answers and thinking about this entire thread. Great information to learn from. I can't wait to put these ideas to work on my line.

I am sure James will come along shortly and either confirm or correct me

But I am pretty sure he does not set them close enough for the caught coyotes to get to each other.

I think it is more about setting them as close as there is an available feature or backing to use.
Of all the pictures he has ever posted of multiples I have never seen any where the sets were that close