Have I made a dent in them?

Here’s the scoop. I started trapping two years ago for coyotes on 330 acres of CRP and timber land. The first year I caught 14 coyotes, the second year 15 on this property. I usually put the bulk of my traps out around the first week in December and trap until February 15th.
This year, to date, I have only caught 5 coyotes. My question is, “Should I expect to catch less coyotes at this property?”
The weather here has been unseasonably warm as compared to the last two years. We were near 70 on Christmas and in the 50’s regularly. Is this what’s cut my numbers?
Bottom line, I’m getting those trapping “blues” and need a pick me up.

Sounds like your about halfway done w/ your trapping this year. So double your catch and you'll be at 10. Your not doing bad. Keep at it.

Been dealing with the same in our neck of the woods. I usually catch 25-30 coyotes a year. This year 6 with very little sign. Distemper may be part of the difference.

Good point AJE. Like 20Scout said, there’s just not been much sign

14 or 15 coyotes would not live on a 330 acre parcel, you are pulling them off of surrounding ground. Your spot must be pretty good.

You are reducing numbers, and as Mark June said in his post. When the smart ones feel pressure they may move. Keep after them and good luck.

Distemper, lest food are two good reasons your numbers are down, keep the pressure on them.

Distemper is a good possibility, I’m doing awful and finding sign has been tough now for two years. Even the incidental coons are a 1/4 of what I’ve seen in the past

But my turkey and deer are way up. And actually having the best fix numbers in the past four years

Thanks a bunch for the input guys. I really appreciate it.
Michigan, I agree with what you’re saying about the deer and turkey numbers being up. I also think that the main reason for our turkey numbers being down is the fact that due to low coon prices, folks aren’t harvesting enough of them and they are destroying the turkey hatches.

Kill every one you can and new ones will be back every year. New ones are easier to trap than the ones you miss. You're going to miss some every year.

Parvo got to my area last year and wiped out the coyotes. There was a lot of sign early in the fall then no tracks anywhere for almost the whole season. Every coyote I got (4) were older adult males. This year it is a whole different batch of coyotes and about half the sign there used to be but they are more healthy.

One thing I see on my trapline is that if I run the the Larry show exactly the same for three years my catch suffers because I don't catch all the coyotes. I believe the survivors avoid my sets or leave when they see or hear me trapping. I believe they train their pups to do the same thing. Every three years I change my sets and lure and the catch is always the same for the same area. This year it's flat sets and pipe dreams and I'm doing well. Two year ago it was big holes and Robin's style dirtholes. Before that it was triangle sets and mouse holes. If you see avoidance issues this may help. If you are using the same brand and bottle of lure a change could help. You have to change with the coyotes.

Now they are starting to pair up so make two sets at every spot. Make one a flat set with gland and urine the other set what ever you usually do.

Sounds like good advice Larry. Thank you.

You will always have new ones move in after you take out the ones that is there. all you will do now is manage them. I see the same thing go on around here where I do a job on them the first years I am in there ,then years after taper down. Keep on it ,also look for different ground that way you will keep them down.

Out here studies have shown you have to kill 75% of the coyote population to keep it stable. Parvo can be a game changer. When Parvo comes through your catch will be down by half and they will be adults.