Not a bad day = 15 coyotes

Not a bad day. Got 15 coyotes. Did a little dog training. Blue Lacey dogs did well. Had 1 coyote go 3/4 of a mile with 10 ft of chain MJ 600 and McBride style 1 piece heavy drag Pics on way

James Lucero lure did good as well. Flat Sets only. No dirt holes here ! LoL!!!

Few more pics

Few morw

Was a VERY long day. According to Iphone. Walked 4.6 miles. Had a few coyotes go a way. Drag just wouldnt tangle up. Without dogs? Take a LONG time to find. In the end = 15 coyotes.

Will post up some pics of 1 piece drags I was using ! High dollar drag = BUT worked very well. Under these conditions. Will post up some sets. And some = land scape pics tomorrow. Fixing to shower and go to bed.

With your permission, may I copy a few of the dog pics and send them to my son and a buddy? They have a Blue Lacey coming in December.

Sure. Not my dogs. But a friends. He is proud of them. They are younger dogs. But impressive. Oldest is 2 or 3 years old.

Landowner gonna be smiling at that haul ;)b

Great job

Steeltraps, well played sir! Well played.
We'll be on a ranch north of you in the coming weeks, where the ranch owner has lost over $400,000 of exotics in two years and he's hired several who've not shown him many coyotes overall. Mostly non-targets and the carnage has continued so....

new sheriff been hired.

I hope his issues is lion related more than coyotes cause the Mrs. wants to catch her a big cat this season!

Keep 'em thinned right out steeltraps.

Blessings,
Mark

Great work Steeltraps! Just an fyi the blue lacy is the only dog breed that originated from Texas.

I’m chasing deer right now. The two leases I will be trapping want to wait till after Christmas. Lots of good sign and a ton of cats . Your reports have really got me chomping at the bit to get after them lol !!

Thanks Mark. IF you need to borrow afew mt lion traps let me know. I have = 3 of the new NO BS Wolf traps 2 = 114 Newhouse. And 1 = TS -85 heavily modified for mt lions = all with appropriate large drags and chains.

Sharkhunter = they are a VERY interesting dogs. Im not a = dog person. But I like these !

Few sets. Got some = NO BS jrs with wire levers out today

Waiting to see some coyotes wearing NO BS bracelets!

Good job guy

Me too! Set a few more NO BS jrs today. Got 2 coyotes so far. Will hand this line of mine off to a partner to check. SO i can run set afew more some where else. Will do a = picture dump on say Tuesday or Wednesday. With dogs being trained

MJ 600 and a LPC 3 &1/2. Flat Sets. Lucero lure Daily Double LOL!!!!

These coyotes were Flat Sets. Coyotero on 1. Winter Wolf on the other. BOTH had Red Fox urine

Not bad lookin' coyotes, for 'Bama.

Good stuff.

Mac

Nice job as usual Steel!!! Always a blast to see your catches and sets keep up the good work!!!

Thanks for sharing Steel!!!

Thanks guys. Jumping around on multiple lines. Sheep in Central - West Texas. And cattle in West Texas. May wrap up sheep country in about 4 or 5 days. Pull up traps and leave snares for the hired hands to check. Move to = close to New Mexico line. Will be running it Wednesday. Should have some more pics up soon Fixing to drink another cup of coffee and get out on sheep line

Well dang it ! Water is frozen! It comes from water tank to house. Hope pump aint busted ! Cold here. Got to bundle up to ride on = Can Am ATV !!!! May be lazy. And give it a 1 hr or so ! LOL!!

You're bedding traps in concrete, and he's playing in a sand box most days lol. Wouldn't you like some of that on your line?

Sand burs are ruff on your hands

Getting warmer

Warming up

Packing up. Fixing to go run a cattle pasture or 2 around. New Mexico State line. Here is a pic of chain set yall PM me about. Will have same set up on my = Alabama traps. Will be = No Bs jrs wire levers. JC Conner Bar Shock with 4 JC Conner swivels

Where is the fourth swivel? Just not seeing it in your picture.

One at the base plate, one on each end of the shock spring, one at the end of the chain next to the stake link.

Hard to see because of angle unless you zoom in on the pic

1 st 1 is a Rewelded Sterling Swivel. 2 nd at chain end of T Shock Bar. 3 rd is at other end of JC Conner Shock bar. And 4 is at end of chain by lap Link In the future. My = Alabmaa traps. = will be NO BS wire lever jrs with 4 JC Conner swivels and a JC Conner T Bar Shock

Wouldn’t mind it haha just wouldn’t like the heat so much that Steel traps in down south.

Man I’m really liking that set up Steel!!!! That should serve you for a lifetime!

Own the road to New Mexico Line. Will stop or be at ranch in bout 3 hrs. Will take a good close up pic then

Steel what made you go with jrs over the extremes? Was it jaw spread? Or something else?

Hammer. I often live out of a duffle bag for 60 days or more. I go from 21 day coyote trapping job to another 21 day trapping job. SO space is an issue. I can only carry so many traps in my tool box. I can get 120 Sterling in my tool box. 100 Sterling is better it give me more room for a few other must haves like = Catch pole Cordless drills and trapping bag. So where you store in = buckets. Bends. Or tool box. You could get more Jrs in a give storage than the bigger Extreme. That is my ONLY reason for getting the Wire Lever Jrs Over bigger Extreme

Here on the spot. Cattle ranches. West Texas. Running small sections till after Thanksgiving. That way no pain in the neck nose deer hunters. Few set in pasture

Few flat sets

Another flat set

Last 1 of day. Going to eat a steak and have some 12 year oldWellers Bourbon!!!!!

Tomorrow + Will be a long day. Friend is bring Blue Lacy dogs to train on coyotes. And His friend and dog is coming too ! Also a new 8 month old pup to get its first look on coyotes. SO expect pictures ti have from 3 to 6 dogs in them!!! LOL!

Very nice steel! Those sets got dead coyotes written all over them!

Very interesting photos.
You make your traps disappear in those artistic flat sets.
Nice final touch at them.

Thanks. Got 12 today. Did a pile of dog training today. Had 5 dogs in the mix. All coyotes caught on Lucero’s lures and flat sets. Pics on the way

Few pics

Dogs had a great time so did I ! LOL!

Few more

Dogon fun!

Few more for I get a shower

Some people just Have to shoot other peoples coyotes. Dang deer hunters ! LOL!!!!

So what exactly is he training the dogs to do?

Are those LPC long springs? What do you think of them? The few I've looked at were big wolf/lion traps and very well made looking, never used one though. Only guys I ever knew who used them were government trappers, due to the price of them.

Blue Lacey is a mult purpose dog. I HAVE seen them smell where a trap was and trail it almost a mile. And find aniaml. They work coyotes for = Helicopter flying. Send in bust out coyotes that whole still. So gunner can shoot them when flushed out. They find coyote dens in summer. They will work and bay hogs. They will find where coyotes have urinated. So you can set a scent post. They are impressive

Thats a friends 3 & 1/2 LPC. I have set afew of them. VERY strong trap. Price is going up again. You are right. High prices but VERY nice trap.

SUPPER cold. !!!! 31 with 25 mph wind !! 3 coyotes so far !

Female Flat Set. Coyotero lure. SMC urine

Male. Flat Set. Winter Wolf. Jameson Red Fox Urine

Female. Flat Set. Coyotero Lure. Some Red Fox Urine from Arkansas? Give to me by a friend. Smells good. MJ 600. Old 1. Pulling to pull new JC Conner shock bar and swivel on !

I must be insane. Set traps in this cold weather

Nice job as always steel! Cold weather haha! How cold is it getting down that way?

Warmed up to 31 degrees. This morning truck said it was 22. With wind gust up to 25 mph. Thats cold to me. I dont like trapping in cold weather. So i try to avoid it ! LoL!

Last location to set.

He was about to get away I had to shoot him, three times.

I’d like to get me a blue Lacey, I’ve heard great things about them as a trapline dog. They are the state dog of Texas as well

We got one coming next month to train up for tracking deer. Plan to make a little money with her.

Wanna Be ya'll will be happy with the Lacey. Very good all around dogs. Good friend of mine raises them. Super smart.

Steel I have been wondering just how many sets has that bone seen? I love how well your sets are blended back in as if you were never there!

2 years old almost 3. 412 coyote year Last year 541 coyotes. This year bout 460 coyotes. Safe bet is over 500 sets

Hammer. Same location as set pics yesterday. NO BS Wire Lever JR

Liking = NO BS JR Wire Levers. Good solid catches!

Details? NO BS Wire Lever jrs. Flat Set. Coyotero lure. Private Stock Red Fox urine? Friend gave to me. VERY strong smell. 3 lbs pan tension. NO coating lost from trap. 3 coyote in NO BS Jr Wire Lever. 2 out of 3 coyotes in this very trap have been bad 1 s. Fighters and bitters. Coating. I am liking. No more dipping ??? Can they take a year of Alabama acidic soil? How many years will they hold up at 300 plus coyote catch a year as a trap?? Will see. Looks good so far

NO BS bracelet looking good! The wolf I caught in a K9 Xtreme last year only scratched the coating in a couple of spots. Trap still looks new.

I Like the deep catches ! Thinking about getting 10 dz more. Just add a dz or 2 each month. Save MJ 600s for Texas. Could. Leave here at friends. May leave atleast 50 MJ 600s here

Done for day. Working on new MJ 600 Sterlings now !

How is the lockup on those wire lever jr’s compared to the standard ones. I love my extremes but am curious about the wire levers.

Bluegrassman The lock up is excellent!! VERY strong trap!

I have = 1 dz NO BS JR Wire Levers. And 1 dz NO BS Jrs regular levers. I like the wire levers better BUT im a MJ 600 Sterling guy ! LoL!

So what do you like about the wire lever extremes over the standard lever?

The way They set. Im a wire lever guy. Think about the wire lever alone. It has to come threw the ground quicker. IF freezing is a problem? Less lever = mass = amount = touching the ground = Less freezing. Im not worried about many freezing days. But a wire lever HAS to come threw ground with less resistance That just physic’s. It beds better to me. Maybe cause I bed lots of wire lever traps? That what I like better

Is NO BS going to wire levers only or offering both wire and standard levers?

They offer both. The wire levers are new. Their in the new NO BS catolog.

Busy setting traps. Landowner says 3 coyotes. 1 is a double. HOPE its in NO BS Wire Lever Jr = Reset !!!!!

Very nice Steel! I’ll be loading up on the extremes with wire levers after this season I love the regular ones but like the wire lever design better for what you already explained better physics behind the design.

Hammer I think you will like them. I brought 1 dz to Texas with me BUT seams like. I can only catch with 1 piticulare NO BS trap ! LoL!

Picture from landowner. YEP ! Its a double! Its a remake of yesterday’s NO BS Jr Wire Lever in the front. At 11 am is another coyote in a MJ 600 Sterling. Ive got about 6 or 7 more traps to set. While cows are out of my way. Then I will go remake those sets

Very nice Steel!!!

Thanks. Here is another 1 from today. Flat Set. Coyotero SMC urine

^^^^^ From double today. No Bs jr

Did you have to adjust any on the pan tension on those ?

I like to file on them. On pan. That just the way i roll. Run pan floppy. Use pad and filing to make it 3 lbs

Would you care to post pics of the drags? I’m curious what kind of drags coyotes are going that far on.

Will post pics in morning. Drinking bourbon. And its to cold to go outside in shorts

Has 0 to do with quality of drags. They are = 1 peice with welded flat bar stock add on them 4 lbs. 10 ft chain. Its the terrain and lack of brush

Yeah, they wouldn't get ten feet around here with those drags. Sagebrush and trees would pin them quick.

Back at sheep trappers cabin. Racoons have trashed our condo. Boarded up door to my room. Preparing for battle !

Might have to sacrifice a couple of them 550s you no longer like as coon traps!

I have my PVS 14 Omni 7 Thin film autogated Night Vision in truck. So with night sights on G19 i should be ready for battle !!! LoL!

I coild set a # 8 LPC and wait as well! LOL!

A buddy of mine had a coon getting into a bulk feed tote. He’s a beaver trapper and put a ts85 on top of that tote and had his problem coon a day or two later. Worked like a body grip.

I HAVE a TS ~85 outside. Modified for mt lions. Its Very nice. But I have had a little to much bourbon to set it right now. Might be willing to take a picture if it though. LoL ! Who wants to see it ?

I'll take a look, probably similar to the ones I modified for wolves.

Bearcat2. I have access to some = excellent mt lion trappers. Could go 40 miles and be in some great mt lion county. But mt lion traps??? Dang to buy and rig up 2 or 3 dz ? Need to take out a bank loan!!! LOL!

TS 85 modified

Base plated

I can't see in the picture if they did anything to cure the lose jaw being held up by lever twist after you four coil them or not. If you set it and the loose jaw is higher than the other jaw, the way I cured that was by welding a small chunk of key stock (same stuff your laminations are made of) on the lever where the held jaw touches. Looks nice though. I've one that I laminated with that keystock all the way to the jaw hinges, and two dozen that I used flat stock to laminate just across the top and barely over the corners. I waffle on which I like better, the weak point on those TS 85s is their jaws where they are scalloped on the sides. Stick a hammer handle in one and set it off and you will see what I mean, they will bend there when four coiled. The laminations clear to the hinge strengthen that, but they also create a lot more jaw surface to drive up through the crust. Trapping in your country there would be no debate, I would laminate them all like yours, but I worry that the extra jaw surface could cause them not to come up through a frozen crust. I haven't had a problem with the one I did that way, so it may be a moot point, but I'll give it another winter and see what I think.

I'd like to try one of those LPC 8's, but the cost of a dozen of them!

I have afew NO BS Extreme Wolf traps. Thats a 8 x8 size trap. Bout 75 dollars. So - 15 ft chain ~ wolf shock bar and good heavy drag. About 120 a piece is my guess

Now you know how we wolf trappers feel lol. I'll bury someone if I catch them stealing wolf gear. Doesn't say anywhere in the regs about not using carcasses of thieves for bait! Lol

Surprisingly good color on some. When you send them to auction what section do your better ones go into?

Doing deprivation work. I only do bounty work or per day fee. Or sometimes is a monthly rate in sheep country

LT GREY,
You dont get out much do ya? Lol

If those were Bama coyotes they would look good, lol! Think theirs are about like ours…not much to look at.

LMBO @ don't get out much do ya!

Way to go I am sure any good livestock operation would love to have you around for a few weeks every yr

St why the D ring off to the side instead of the center ?Just curious.

Easier on the thigh when setting. Also first pull foot slides to one side allowing the opposite lever to lock up even higher.

It's the way they come. I go back and forth on whether I prefer it there or in the center. I like the center better if I am staking under the trap, because I am digging a hole under the trap for the chain to go in anyways. If I am staking off to the side or putting it on a drag I prefer the D-ring off to the side, especially in the frozen ground I am dealing with right now. Bent two digging hammers the other day chopping out three trap beds, finally had to go to the Pulaski.

Got rain. May pull. Clean move and reset. Working on another 25 chain stakes with JC Conner shock bars. AND working some dogs on hogs. Will get back to coyotes. Wed or Thursday.

Blue Lacey on pistol shot hog.

I love my Lacy dog. Awesome working dogs and partners

Their great dogs from what I have seen. I have enjoyed the things i have seen them do

That TS85 looks familiar

Its a nice trap! Well modified! LoL!!!

Beautiful job!

Thanks. Back in the sheep. Road about 1/4 of a tank of gas out of Toyota Tacoma today looking for coyotes. Found 2 sets of tracks.

Packed up from Central/West Texas. And went home. Be back Around Jan 1 = Will start a = West Texas Annual Thread. What Should I call it ?

OK. Here are some of the new drags I got from a friend. AND when I got home. Had a package. From = James Lucero. It had a letter and some lure. NIGHTTRAIN = Its been improved by thickening some and tweeking and I will be testing it out Here in a few days And more in West Texas

Back home in Alabama. Female. NightTrain lure. Well revamped = NightTrain lure. Its thicker. With more meat

Thicker? More meat? That ain't the NightTrain, that's the SoulTrain lol

I personally like a thin lure. I put it in a bottle and use only 1 drop. I dont feel that i need a lot of lure to catch a coyote. BUT others prefer a thicker lure. The chunks in the NEW = NightTrain are match stick size and bigger. Tomorrow I can post up some pics of the = New thickness if you like ? Will be testing it = Exclusively on = 2023 West Texas Annual Trapping Trip . Have caught over 100 on old thinner Version of = NightTrain I feel I can do it again In January

So one “drop” and a mist or shot of urine for your flat sets?

Yes. I put = ALL my lure in = Hobby Lobby - almost 2 oz bottle. And = applicate it on head of bamboo stick OR q tip. Urine? Bout 1/4 oz per set ? Maybe less. Just a squirt.

WannaBe Here is the = Hobby Lobby bottle I use. 50 ML. Or just a tad short of 2 oz

Gotcha, thanks. You have me wondering if maybe, just maybe, I might have been using a little (like way too much) lure.

I rode with a state trapper in TX one time.. He only used a match head amount of lure.

I think thats a good amount, I am home now at lure shed Working on mounting = new Bench Mount crimper. Its going to rain 3 or 4 inch in next 2 or 3 days. When it stops to day I will go up to lure shed and take some pics of = New thicker meater += Nighttrain lure

Got new = Cable Crimper set up. Bolted down to table. Did 300 = 12 in Wolf Fangs on 3/32 cable today

You made a good choice and investment their! It will pay for its self many times over! I sure like mine ARM made in Japan, good quality swagger. Have a Merry Christmas!!!!!

Does that crimper have a cutter on it as well ?

Nope. Got off ebay. 80 bucks. Vector

Good set up, I like mine just oil it once in awhile or it will got sloppy.
Just head's up.
I'm on a 2nd one. Cause I didn't take care of the first one.

Thanks what kind of oil is best?

That's the same one I have, the ARM one. I have mine mounted on a board so it's portable though.

My wife got me one last year for Christmas . It came with the swagger, cable cutter, and bolt cutter heads. It’s nice!! Way easier than using the handheld cutter and two handed swagger. I whipped out 100 snares pretty quick

I have made about = 700 Wolf Fang cable stakes with it so far. I like it. I will go threw about 2000 of them per year. So I got this to speed up production. LoL!

The right tool for the right job always makes things go better!

Speaking of the right tool. I forgot to post up pics from the other day at lure shed. Here is the new improved = NightTrain. Thicker and Meater. Temp in lure shed was 62 degrees. Took pic few days back. Just got busy and forgot to post. Will be using and testing almost exclusively with = NightTrain on = 2023 Annual West Texas Trip

Very interesting color on that Lure. I wonder what kind of base he used? I know it probably taste's like Chicken! Let us know how it works for You.

Mark . The orginal Nightrain that Mr Lucero first gave to me and just afew other people to test caught over 100 coyotes for me. Although some did not like it cause = it was said to be + to thin. I personally like thin . It will be cold tomorrow AND when i start in West Texas it will probablly be to thick !! LOL!

All those Texas coyotes are gonna freeze to death next weekend ST lol

Looking forward to seeing your pictures from your 2023 trip!

Get 'em steeltraps! No quarter given.
And you'll need more fossil fuels to keep yourself comfy.
We're gonna be in the Valley soon where temps are more to our liking.
This last job in the Panhandle was chillllllly on a buggie.
But the 41# bobcat was the prize catch of the 14 days (they thought they had a smaller lion) and so we're in like Flynn with another ranch.

I've never used James' lures but know many who do well with them.

Blessings,
Mark

Sneaky. I check the weather. And HOPEFULLY when I get there round the 28 th it will be = as they are predicting on AccuWeather. Starting 29 th will be like High of 60 and 30s low. BUT it gets colder every day toward new years. I will be on some grounds that have been trap aready. But hope for = 30 days = 100 plus coyotes? Last year daily average was 5.5 coyotes aday. So Im figuring - 3 to 4 coyotes a day puts me at or over 100 plus

Mark. I try my best. To stay off the buggies. In Feb in Alabama I have a 14 day job on 6000 acres I work that I have to use buggy. But man. Its cold on my ears! LoL ! I prefer to work from Toyota Tacoma = when I can. But when its rainy a buggy is nice to have.

Cutting a few pipes. 5 gallon buckets full. 110 in a 5 gallon bucket. With a little room. MAY try = for cold weather. A muskrat based bait. I have talked to James Lucero about = Mixing = Winter Wolf = because of the skunk essance and 2 other ingredients and making a bait? This would be for cold and used in pipes? SO may give it a good test. Along with = NightTrain in West Texas.

I am already about 80% packed up. All 110 MJ 600 Sterlings are already loaded LOL! Just nees to load = 3 buckets and lure tote and few cloths and Im ready. So for next few days. Gettting ready for rest of year = 2023. As best I can. Made 700 Wolf Fang cable stakes Finishing up about 250 or pipes. Making a little bait. Putting some lure in = Hobbie Lobby squeeze bottles Cutting about 1000 bait sticks And on and on. IF i am not coyote trapping. Seams like i am always = getting stuff ready for coyote trapping! LOL!

Well dang. Was alittle off on the = 250 pipes mark. For those interested. 8 = 10 ft pieces of 3/4 pipe. Just cut random. Some are longer than others for different soils. Got me = 203 pipes. LoL!

Well, you ARE from Alabama

I just use like 10w or hyd. Oil both seem to work just as good.

Steeltraps, How is the year going to finish up numbers wise, Also keep us up data on the new nighttrain lure.

P.S. Have a very nice christmas holiday

Thanks. Dirt trapper. My total now is at 503 coyotes for the year. Will get started with = 2023 West Texas Annual Coyote Trip = soon. Truck about 90% packed up. Will leave 28 th or so to = Texas /New Mexico line. NightTrain will be used heavy on this trip

I always look forward to your trips, the pics and the tips you provide us. Safe travels!

Looking forward to following the new job

Thanks. To be honest I cant wait to get started in West Texas. I haven’t EVER claimed to be a = cold weather trapper. Honestly dont know how you guys do it with = frozen ground and snow. That aint for me

Thanks. Dont know how much will be = New ground. Its like = IF i get low on coyotes = may have another placw to work. Will be working for = same outfit as last few years. BUT may pick up a few sections IF trapping gets slow. We will see

I'll admit we (I) struggle doing it but then we're not catching 500 yotes a year either!

I'll tell you how we deal with it. We gripe and complain the entire time lol

Sneaky. There is a chance. That it will work out. This summer. For me to work in Montana. Close to Idaho line. On cattle. I will not be staying till fall!!!! LoL!!!

Starting to pack the rest of truck up. Maybe leaving by tomorrow! Headed to West Texas

Safe travels, holler on your way by. I don't start on my ranches for 3 weeks or so.

Be going threw = Dallas Texas. Thats my worst part of trip. 5 or 6 times. To = New Mexico and Texas. I Always have trouble coming threw Dallas!! I have tried every time but midnight! Lol

I hear you, my boy lives up there. I hate driving there.

I was up there last night. Traffic had me cussing like a sailor

Best route is to stay on 20 and skirt the south side of Dallas, but even that can be a PIA

Try it with a 53' trailer sometime! Used to drive OTR and dispised going anywhere close to Dalla area.

Dallas sounds like Atlanta for me. I’ll leave at 10pm just go through there about 0100. About the best time I’ve found.

Route through Austin/San Antonio
Dallas will look great then

Best time I found was 10am-3pm and that still is a crap shoot

May just go threw Oklahoma and drop down. At least that way I dont have to go threw Lousiana

If you're having to be going anywhere near Dallas, I'm feeling sorry for you!

You could blindfold me and tke me on a rode trip and I could tell you when we hit Lousiana
Roads suck

No idea where your destination is but since you said OK and drop down an option to get you around Dallas is to take 20 to US 69 N up to 82 and hit 287 at Witchita Falls. If nothing else you could see some different scenery