As soon as 18” of snow hit us in PA, my line has gone quiet.
I’m after canines (and coons once they become active again) and I know all of these animals are in the area.
I’m setting in the best locations I can - based on topography/habitat and what little sign that this much fluffy snow can show (tons of deer tracks).
I’m running about 1/4 scent post sets, 1/4 hay sets, 1/4 buried bait sets, and 1/4 dirt hole sets. I have about 18 sets out.
I do my best to control my scent and cover my tracks in the snow.
I’m bedding my traps solid and keeping them working in these cold conditions.
But, I’m not seeing predator tracks at my sets and they’re not working my sets from want I can tell.
Any help is appreciated.
I’m working really hard at this and enjoying the process, but starting to get discouraged as the season gets closer to the end.
Trapping in the snow seems hard.

Nothing is moving!

I would LOVE to believe that, but don’t canines have to eat regularly in the winter to survive? I think they have to move.

Never not seen coyotes "move", unless right in the midst of a storm. It just in their DNA to travel country

Right. Can you add to the original post?

Try clearing a larger area around where your traps are set. You didnt say if you have been clearing the snow. Much more challenging to get a critter to step in the right spot while at a set when there is snow cover. Also if it is very cold and deep snow they might now be smelling your lures and baits from much distance away.

From my experience, that amount of snow changes their travel patterns considerably. They won't be traveling the same locations as they would with minimal amounts of snow. Look for sign in different areas than normal. Thicker cover where plenty of prey will be taking cover, like river or creek bottoms. Areas close to feedlots, large deer herds, and dead piles.

If your on location of where the critters are you are going to have to change up your attractors or if possible go to blind sets. I dont have experience setting in that kind of snow. Maybe a large chunk of natural bait. Sometimes larger quantities can definitely provoke more intrest. My guess is (if your on location) one, they have previously checked of your bait or lure without getting caught and it no longer has interest or two they are somewhat onto the game and see the sets as potential danger. Either way you are going to have to find a bait and or lure that has more attraction or ultimately go to blind sets if possible. All this is predicated on the idea your on location and the coyotes know your sets are there.

The coyotes will often change their travel to areas where they don't have to buck as much snow, heavy timber cover, packed trails, etc. Also I have poor luck getting canines to work sets that are dug out in snow like that. I would either make sets where there wasn't much snow (tree wells, etc.) or set the traps in the snow. Also try (I know it's difficult) to not leave obvious line of boot tracks up to the set. Try and set while standing in a beaten deer trail, tire tracks, snowmobile tracks, etc. Speaking of that. If you are setting in an area where only you are going to be traveling, a trap set in the center of a tire rut or snowmobile track is great in such conditions.

Obviously you must set where the coyotes are, not just where conditions are ideal to make sets.

I've often seen coyotes quit moving for a day or so when you get a fresh deep snow, but then they have to eat and they will move, but they may change their routes

Weather changes movement of all animals, especially snow. Their feeding patterns change and plus now canines are in their breeding cycle. Here there is a time I wish for snow but it isn't till late December. I go from foothold trapping to snares.

^^^This.^^^
Also check out Pines stands & frozen cricks.

Something else comes to mine...
Maybe a nearby farmer dragged a dead cow to his back pasture??