I have 4 #3 traps out all with dirt holes. We had a nice dusting of snow last night and was able to see tracks very well. I went to check my traps this morning and all 4 set have tracks that circle the set but they didn't really work the set. They didn't touch the bait and they stayed about 2ft away. What does this mean? 2 weeks ago i got 2 coyotes and a fox in 3 of the sets. Last week remade them using the same bait and I get just circles around them. All 4 traps vary a bit with set up and bait. All are dirt holes, some have tall grass backing, or large branches/logs. Bait is a mixture of fresh muskrat and tainted venison, 2 have venison and off the shelf coyote bait. As i said I got 3 2 weeks ago with the same setup and same bait. As from some of my other posts, I am new and not experienced. This is my second season trapping and those were my first two coyotes and first fox. Nothing last year (except muskrats and minks).
Thanks

You need to get away from the dirt hole sets at this time of year. Go with blended walk thru type sets, no, pattern, no visible hole. Just use a couple holes made with a rebar to place your bait/lure into. Make some marking sets with a bit of good urine or use a developed marking scent. Put those new sets close to your other DH sets, down wind.

Most animals have some experience now that are still running around. If you don't adapt you won't likely be very successful this season with those that are left.

Coyotes are on to you, seen your dirt holes and their companions caught. Were the 2 coyotes, the young ones? Bob gave some great advice.
With snow, you can now see exactly where they are walking, setting on sign is so true ... blind sets are the go too.

Now the fun begins. Snow is always eye opening. Without its pretty easy for us believe what we want.

Both coyotes were young I believe. It is hard to do blind sets. Most the area is open grass so they do not follow a distinct trail. I have been tracking them for a few years. Even in the wooded areas, one day they walk thru a certain area, next time they are 3ft to the side. The only time they are a bit consistent is down the only paved path we have. The old male has been on to me for a few years. Same one for the last 3 years. I only started trapping him last year, but he seems smarter than me. Lost some chickens to him and that's why I've been tracking him. If I do what Bob said, would that guide them to a trail I want them to use?

I would do as Bob says, search for flat sets or walk throughs on here and you should come up with some tutorials. I would go subtle, no visual attractors like bones etc. If a rock, stump, grass clump etc. sticks out to your eye next to a trail they are using, I would use this as your 'post' but I wouldn't move anything in since you are already dealing with wary animals. When you are done with the set and step back, you shouldn't be able to tell where the trap is, or even that there is one there, that is what blended means to me.

Blind sets can be tough to choose the right place, but if they are still checking out your dirt holes (are these catch circles where you already caught something?) Now you have a skiff of snow where you can see exactly where they walked. Chose a spot where there are some features to make you think they'll walk there again, dig out one of their tracks and set the trap right there and blend back in carefully. If they come back to check it out, or a different coyote does, and they walk down the same trail, chances are they will step in the same place.