Posted By: Highbawl10
Coyote problem? Problem is me? - 01/08/20 09:04 PM
I’m new here so I’ll say hello, i want to start by providing a bit of background. I have been trapping for 4 years. Well taking it seriously for 4 years and I want to discuss issues I’m having on my coyote line. I run fully modified victor #3 soft catches and mb 650 rubber jaw traps. Mostly a dirt hole set with screen pan covers and wax dirt bedded with the dog to the hole. (Over the jaw I believe it’s called). I’ve used every bait and lure that is available and used home made taint out of various critters. I’m in New England and we have to use padded traps for ground sets and only get 2 months to catch. I’ve had all the problems everyone else has and more I’m sure but there are a few things that I can’t seem to overcome. First problem is issue number 1 : avoidance. With a short season starting in December I usually start to run my line mid November, making dirt holes and filling them with bait but not placing the trap yet. Those holes will get destroyed almost highly by all kinds of coyote cats and fox. Most times I even put a scoop of wax dirt right where the traps going to go just to get them more comfortable. As soon as I bed a trap I get avoidance. They might come back and check it out but nowhere near the level of commitment they showed just days before. Going off advice from an old timer who says my traps were dirty I have since cleaned them, again. Boiled out in logwood dried and then waxed. Still same issue. I’ll get mild interest and even a few catches. 6 catches so far this year. Which is horrible for my own standard. So over thinking everything as I normally do, I have asked my only fellow coyote trapper I know for some help. He uses a leaf for a pan cover and peat moss with the trap bedded levers to the hole. (Through the jaws). And he has caught 27 coyotes this season. I’ve tried his method of placing a trap through the jaws with wax dirt and screen pan covers and though I still have issue #1 avoidance, whenever that set does go off the coyote has pulled out leaving only a small bit of fur in the jaws. I’m not sure if anyone can tell me about their sets or similar problems but overall I guess I’d like some advice on how they are detecting my trap. I’m looking for honest advice and have thick skin so please give it to me strait. Thanks for reading