Coyote Trappers, Help Please

Alright, I'm at my wits end and need some help/tips/advice from successful and veteran coyote trappers. It's repetitive, but first year trapper here who uses this site as means of learning trapping techniques and have been super successful in my first year, thanks to this site. 20+ coons, 20+ possums, 1 bobcat, and 5 beaver. Every single harvest is a testimony to the advice and direction of this site. So thank you all again. Here's the dilemma. I have a coyote that keeps getting one over on me. The good news is I have a trail cam over the sets and this coyote is leaving me opportunities to catch it. On Sunday it dug around my trap, which was due to weak bedding. I'll admit that one. I owned it and made sure on the reset to bed solidly and to throw the coyote off, I moved my trap more offset to the left and put a small stone where it originally was to try and fool it. Also put another set within 10 yards of the original.

Well last night it came back, but once again evaded both sets and got the goods from my dirt holes. In my original set his feet have to be right where the pan is but for some reason, he evaded. The only thing I can think of until I go check the line later is that we had a light rain Monday night and I'm curious if a light rain will pack the dirt and create issues with the trap firing? I didn't see any pics of the coyote digging but I'm at a loss of how it managed to work both sets without setting off either trap. Both traps are Duke coil springs #2's. I've read on this site that coyotes don't like guiding so I try to minimize that but at this point, I'm not sure what to do or if two traps per set is an option. I really want to nab this sucker with one trap though as this learning experience will only help me be more successful in the future seasons so Id rather not resort to two traps, but if that's what needs done, then so be it. The black "X" on the pics is about the proximity of where my traps are. Any help/teaching/recommendations is super appreciated. Thanks again and God bless.

Looks mounded up with leaves and small sticks where u say your traps is. Coyote doesn't have a clue. Move the trap to where the feet are when he's working the bait hole. Bed firmly and level or slightly lower over trap and cover with pebble- free dirt. Re-bait with that same bait.

Well first off if I had a dollar for every coyote that ever worked my set and didn’t get caught I could buy a few dozen really nice traps lol. So you’re not alone.

The rain packing dirt around the trap will not keep it from firing unless it freezes. It will however create an outline of the trap or even expose parts of the trap and that is problematic.

Study where the coyotes stepped when they worked the set, and use that to guide you on trap placement on future sets.

Last, you can use some guiding for coyotes. A couple pencil sized sticks and quarter sized dirt clods in the right spots will do wonders for your catch rate.

You got coyotes working sets, that’s half the battle.

Keep after him Sometimes the critter just gets luckly and does not step on the pan Try a different brand or type of lure Or place it at a different angle in relation . to the trap .If it keeps working your set it most likely has not ben spooked by it .

I'm always wondering how everyone can tell its the same coyote by trail cam pics? Wish you guys could give me some pointers. Unless the have some unique physical features I can't normal tell them apart.

I'd first start with deeper holes, coyotes will surprise u how easily the can get the goodies out of the hole. If your not getting a lot of rain I really likea step down dirt hole for positioning there foot in the trap. 8 inches deep at least at back wall with hole at the very bottom as horizontal as u can get it. Trap back about 8 inches 4 inches deeper than surrounding area and all the extra dirt piled up just past trap.

My apologies. The trap isn't exactly where the black X is, it's remotely that distance from the hole but on the other side of the mound about where the coyotes feet are. The mound is dirt from the hole that is being used as a guide. There is one on the other side as well.

Thank you. I will give this a try and the only thing that makes me believe it's the same coyote is because it came back around the same time and from the same direction. I could be wrong and likely am, but the way it worked the set and came into the set was exactly how it did previously so that made me think it was the same coyote. I appreciate the help and will reconstruct my set to something similar to your pic.

I agree on suttle guiding for coyotes and use dirt clods vs small stones or you might end up catching the stone and missing the coyote.


I have had very good luck with this set even if it does have some drawbacks (flooding). Like Yes Sir states use a deeper hole and drill or dig it horizontal as possible. This will make him work the set and help guide the coyote to the trap. It'll happen, just be patient.

I've caught difficult coyotes by doing the following: Make a flat set using a downed branch 3 or 4" in dia. Make your hole (mouse hole) about 1" in diameter - just stick in a trap stake and work it around and down about 6" going in below the branch. Do it on both sides. Only bait one side and don't put a trap on that side. No bait on the other side but bed a trap there. Blend in so they look the same.

The hope is the coyote will check the baited hole first, maybe checking for a trap but not finding one, and then get careless when checking the unbaited hole. It's just one more trick to try in addition to the advice others have given.

Thank you EdP for the recommendation. Something I might do is alter my second set that has the big rock for backing and put a mouse hole on the other side with bait in it and then leave the original hole unbaited with the trap in front of that.

I also use a double dirt hole set just spaced far enough apart that I can bed a trap between them. Leave dirt digging the holes out front just like a coyote would dig it. Leave rough so coyote won't step there. Bed trap about 4 inches back from line from one hole to other hole, I like it tight. Most coyotes work hole from about a 45 angle. They work first hole, feel safe and step across first hole to that flat spot between holes to check out second hole. Doesn't matter which side it comes from when they check out second they put the foot down right between them. Most guys set the trap too far out front like the coyote is working both holes straight on not from angle stepping over first hole to smell second hole. Hope this makes sense, I don't have any pics of this set. Little more weather resistant than a step down but still really good control of foot placement.

Yes sir, just visualizing the set of the double dirt hole and I believe I have the concept in my mind. It makes sense and sounds promising. Will definitely give this one a try. Thank you for explaining it clearly and now I'm chomping at the bit to try it.

I'm a visual learner and so I threw together a quick visual and wanted to make sure I was looking at it correctly. Is this correct and how it should look? Thanks again for the help.

Read Steeltraps post on the Trapping Only forum. Pay attention when you read it. Follow examples. Read it again and make sure you didn’t miss anything. Make sets, catch coyotes. I’ve only been trapping 6 years now, but that thread clicked something in my brain and my catches this year are way above last year and I’m just getting started. Not only me, but I’ve told everything I’ve learned to my son and he’s making me look bad. If we find sign, we catch. Not bragging, just still learning.

3 basic rules I’ve learned…
Set on sign
Bed solid
Leave’em be

Be generous with bait, and stingy as heck with lure and urine.

With that coyote I’d make an obvious dirt hole, guess they call them trench sets and a flat set. He may not hit that dirt hole, but he’ll hit that flat set. Your dirt hole definitely has his attention, but either your trap is malfunctioning or it’s not where you think it is. Unless your hole isn’t deep, he didn’t get all the bait. I’d go just close enough to see if the trap is sprung and walk away if you’re 100% confident your trap is functioning. Not every time a coyote walks up will it get caught. My son just made a catch yesterday on a set that’s been sitting for 2 weeks. All he does is drive by and look.

I originally set there because I had multiple bobcats using this spot as a travel corridor and was targeting them. After catching a bobcat I've had coyotes start showing up. There is an abundance of rabbits, mice, and other bait roaming this area so it felt like a good spot to target cats. This coyote is a bonus I guess.

Made one in the yard for u. Left pan exposed. Hard to see in pic but loose dirt is mounded up about 4 inches high. Unlike step down dirt hole this double dirt hole needs some backing.

Gotcha. Thank you for making a set Yes sir for visualization and this is super helpful. I'll let you know how it works. Hopefully will have a coyote pic for you.

Nice set.
I’ll do that on single dirt holes as well. Learned it after getting pics of coyotes stepping there instead of on my pan in front of the dirt hole. The only time it’s in front is that obvious dirt hole.

Yes Sir. Dude that looks like a huge dirt hole! Did you use a BT 45 auger ?

Not as big as it looks. 1 1/2 auger. Made it in garden where ground was soft so it was quick. Trench is only about 3" wide.

Few sweeps with digger on back of hammer then drill hole
I've made the holes a lot just by wobbling them out with anchor driver or stake also.

Do you use the auger to make the trench as well?

No just a couple swipes with digger on back of hammer

I like the looks of that double dirt hole.

It's a set that has produced good for me. Takes advantage of the dug dirt as guiding. Let's coyote work set from the side as they have a tendency to do. And they seem quite comfortable stepping to that spot between the holes after they have checked first hole out with no bad effects. Doesn't matter which side they come from that spot seems to be the next step to check out the second hole. In my mind it's almost like they have let their guard down a bit after safely checking out first hole. So far I don't think I've ever had a trap dug in this setup. I like a good step down because I can make it anywhere with no backing, and I don't like creating backing that's not already there. This set gets less refusals than a step down and trap bed is a little more weather resistant but does require some natural backing. It's a twist of a set I saw in one of Dobbins books. Instead of one hole and two traps to cover both sides its one trap with two holes that works for an approach from either side. And holes look like a fox or coyote digging for a mouse or something. Maybe not the best set for the really cautious coyotes but a productive set for a good number of the pack. I've even lightly blended the trap bed with a light grass covering with success if you want to use less dirt and maybe make it a little more weather proof. In tight ground it can be a little challenging making the two holes and short trenches and still keep the integrity of ur trap bed so sometimes I have to angle the trenches out at a bit of angle to keep enough solid ground in between to bed trap solid. Just have play around and see what works for your situation. It is a set I don't mind using a little smaller trap in too. Two odors in separate holes is another advantage I think.
I will add I like to keep the trenches and holes as close as possible just so it's not too big of a step for the coyote to reach the second hole.

Put your set at the base of those 3 split trees put a pile of sticks on either side of the set and dig your dirt hole straight into the roots, if you don't catch him ill buy ya a beer

I have had good luck with the step down here.. But like you said rain is a problem . I have used double dirt holes In the past but not like your setup, never seen that one. I really like it. Thanks for sharing.

I often take a rerod and make a few woller holes on different sides of trap bed with very minimal different lures in each along with a sleeper trap sitting back. Make a couple different sets such as a charred stick urine post and don't think a lucky coyote is smart .

That's a tempting offer and I just might take you up on that one.

Yesterday I went back out to those two sets and got some recon on what occurred. It was raining so I didn't get to implement the double hole set Yes sir but plan on doing that today as the sun is out and no rain in the forecast. My traps weren't dug up and the coyote left no indication that it was aware of them, so that is reassuring that I had them bedded solidly. On the first set (up close trail cam pics) it looked like he missed my pan by inches and one thing I need to do is make my hole deeper as it's not as deep as I thought, which likely worked against me. The second set it worked the hole at an angle and was close to a back leg catch, but once again mere inches from the trap. I guess the Lord is trying to teach me patience with this yote. Thank you all for the help and I'll keep ya updated on how the double dirt hole set works. If you see anything I can improve on in these two pics, let me know please as I want to become a better trapper and want to learn how to be successful.

I like a dirt hole Herb Lennon called the old indian set.

Thank you all once again for the help...as I finally connected with my first coyote ever as a trapper! WOW! I'm at a loss for words besides, THANK YOU! What worked was the step down set exactly like the one Yes sir recommended. I'll get more pics uploaded later but just wanted to share with you all that I was able to finally seal the deal.

well done!!!!!

Congratulations. Looks like a good coyote location. A lot of times the remakes are even better.

Was good following your post, good job!!!

OH OH Bad news. You are hooked for life now. Soon you will have more lure on hand then the dealers and a pile of traps high as your truck and still buy more.

We’ve just caught another sucker lol you’ll never forget that one

Excellent . That stepdown dirt hole works.

Great looking set yes sir how is it for cats.

I'm not a great cat trapper and haven't caught a lot of them and when I do target them it's mostly blind sets or blind sets with some lure on the side. And I rarely catch cats in my coyote sets. So I have never caught a cat in this set or even tried it on cats. But watching cats work sets on cameras and as little as they move their feet and as careful as they place them it wouldn't surprise me if it worked good if your into dirt holes for cats. That flat spot between the holes and back about 4 or 5 inches has surprised me how good of a spot for coyotes to step over to and check out the second hole.

I'm assuming your talking about the double dirt hole set

cats will stand at the edge of a step down most of the time instead of in the trench

Great job and congratulations on your first coyote catch!