Thanks for all your help and ideas!! Ill let you know my progress, I plan on setting my first sets this coming weekend!

I probably do it all wrong.. but I clean them real good and spray paint mine..

Bob, I think the max jaw spread in VA is 6 1/2 inches. Not sure what the spread is on a duke #4. I don’t use anything that big for land trapping.

What’s did you get for trap fastening? Show or tell us in detail and maybe we can save you some trouble. You don’t want Mr Coyote running off with one of your new traps.

PM me I will give you a number to call. to many things for a short post.

Website says 6 1/2" so he may be okay then.

it may be legal, but it may not be (depending on location/circumstances) a preferable choice.

that's a BIG trap where raccoons, possums and domestics may be caught.

only reason I mention it is: using too big of a trap may turn him off to trapping, or cause other issues...a # 2 will hold coyotes,

Like stated a number 2 size trap for predators is plenty of trap for any land furbearer. The 550 size trap is good all around land trap for most folks. Forget the large traps and the 4 coil traps they aren't needed.

Bigger and stronger is not needed, particularly in your part of the country. Learn how to guide and direct your target animal where you would like it to step. This kind of muscle memory for your set making will come with practice, be patient.

Not throwing this at the new guy , but its what the new guys see and hear , you need sent control , a big trap with big pans thats all they know now days . no bodies teaching simple trapping. its kinda getting like deer hunting nobody wants to learn the basic stuff.

#4 duke is a bridger #3 copy.
If you're setting in water, no reason to worry about it. Just take them out of the box and set them. The oil will take care of itself. If your's setting land, I would suggest degreasing, and then boil/wax. I wouldn't ever recommend any dip or paint on land traps for coyotes. Coons it doesn't matter what you do to your traps as long as they work. Don't worry about your tools too much. If you stick with it, throw them in your boiling dye next year. It's not necessary but doesn't hurt. Keep bait off your boots and gloves as much as possible. Don't worry about what you're wearing. You can kneel on something when making your set if you want.

I use a 50/50mix of Rustoleum brown primer and acetone on my land traps after cleaning in the off season, and it hasn’t affected my coyote catch in any way.

Coyotes? Have trapped before? Coon are good to start on for land critters, but #4 is really to big for them. By big we mean they will easily reach under the jaw and chew on hteir numb foot till there is nothing left holding them. #1 double long is great and #1 1/2 coils are good too. After you get decent at coon try for fox-read the internet with an open mind. Buy books form the fur shed also. EVERONE has different opinions on what to do. I sort of follow Scott's advice some what, but if you are new do not start with coyotes as you first target animal. Have fun, get frustrated and keep an open mind. Do join the local organization and go to clinics an conventions. this is challenging and it will grow on you......jk OH and welcome

I know some very good coyote trappers that use paint.