That's too bad. Not sure if you do this or not but anytime I stake a trap (especially with earth anchors) I yank up on the trap. This year I did that on a welded rebar stake and the nut on top of the rebar popped off and off came the trap. Hopefully you catch one on the remake. Keep us posted.

Do know anyone with a good coyote dog
The dog could find the missing coyote and trap

Another empty check, time to pull the line I reckon, Ill pull one day short of 4 months out. I do have a fence line im going to go check on hanging some snares on but that will wrap it up for the year. 1 Coyote 2 Reds 1 badger and 19 coon year number 2 of running traps.

For year number 2 that is a great season. I hope you post another trap line thread next season!

The first few years of coyote trapping can be challenging. Even though the places may look like good locations but only have sparse sign don't produce well. You may only be trapping what you have access to but start looking for places with more scat and tracks. Stick close to areas with lots of prey, livestock, long running 2 tracks through ranches, prairie dog towns, or dead piles. Those areas usually have more sign and produce well. That being said, you may be doing those things, and your area may not have the number of coyotes to catch in higher numbers.

At one time the Worland/Thermopolis area of the Big Horn basin had some very capable government trappers working that area A good aerial program could sure be effecting your numbers also

They still do, fly a beautiful red carbon cub, I havent seen them out flying the area but that is definitely a possibility I considered, they sure knock a dent in them when they fly

They definitely work that country hard The old Hawkins-Powers fire fighting company out of the Greybull airport had an old Hiller h-23 that I flew in a couple of times that was also used over in the rougher country south of Ten Sleep you could go into some of that country see lots of sign and after they flew it if they had a good day flying you had way less coyotes to catch

I pulled my entire line yesterday..tossed and turned in bed last night until I got up, read all of the articles on John Grahams website on Wyoming/Montana Coyote trapping and went to bed, got up early and cleaned out everything from my fourwheeler but 2 dozen snares, supports and stakes and struck out for new country this morning. Found a 3 mile long woven wire fence with signs of government snare men of the past, nothing newer than a couple years ago as I constantly worry about trapping on someones line. Anyway what I did find was fresh coyote sign, geographical features spoken of in Grahams articles and bone piles of dead coyotes from the past. Over the span of several hours I got a dozen and change snares set with high hopes. I mean, who quits with two months left of the bounty right?!? Last picture is a crawl under with fresh pile behind it.

Awesome spots! Good luck I think you'll hang up some yotes there.

Good deal. I hope you connect. Snares will be less time consuming for you. Longer check time with snares in WY I believe.

You bet, we have a real long check on snares but unfortunately its been so warm out here this winter that its still a short check to not waste anything that I catch. I havent seen it colder than 20 degrees this winter with an average well above 35...crazy weather. Only one skiff of snow to speak of.

good looking spots

Which part of Wyoming you in? I was just out to douglas and glenrock area with a cow elk tag in December.

Closest to Worland, straight south of Billings Mt about 3 hours.

Wynot, a friend told me to check this out!

The first coyote and ‘cats I snared, over 40 years ago, came from just west of where you are at in Worland.

I am humbled! I’m glad you enjoy my writing

My next article will be my 100th for Trapper’s Post, having written one for every issue since it was started by Bob and Deb Noonan

I’m glad the information and experiences have helped you and inspired you, because that’s my goal

Try to attend Coyote Days in Lusk, Aug 14-15

You will be overloaded with information, but meet some of the best trappers in the country

January can be a tough month. but the weather change will help.

Good Luck, John

I appreciate it Mr.Graham! It's difficult to find any western style coyote instruction like what you have written up! I put in my vacation request for coyote days today!

Snared my first coyote today!!

Awesome job! Bet your were excited walking up on that. Fur still looks pretty good from what I can see.

Very excited, any tips on skinning out a hip caught coyote? Will the hide be thin around where it was snagged?

And any advice on keeping the next ones from getting hip caught coyote?

Unfortunately I had an incidental catch on a deer today, warden went out and picked her up and sent me this picture, the break-away worked like it was supposed to but the thick winter hair kept the cable from freeing, very unfortunate.