That's definitely a concern. I don't want to go out everytime and have possum and coon in my traps....Good info.
That's definitely a concern. I don't want to go out everytime and have possum and coon in my traps....Good info.
I have had a pair of them show up 2 times from spring to now on my trail cams. Always in the middle of the night. I realize that 2 can have some impact on the local food chain but to only see them show up twice in our woods... would that be considered a low number of sighting or typical of what you guys see?
I have never seen a "yote trail" type of run. I see most local critters use a common trail . Tracks are random as they move through a area.
What would be my options? Just calling?
I have never seen a "yote trail" type of run. I see most local critters use a common trail . Tracks are random as they move through a area.
What would be my options? Just calling?
I waxed and dyed the traps last weekend. Waiting till after this weekends deer hunting to put any out. Also waiting on some lure I ordered to come in.
Big_Holla
Senior Member
Sounds like you are going about it all the right way Twireman!! Can't wait to see some pics on your sets and success!!
On a lot of Coyote and Fox snares.....I would put them in deer runs. Place a branch 2-3" in diameter across the trail 12-15" for fox and 18-20" for Coyotes.....Canines will duck under the branch and deer will usually jump over. I would have to look at a snare again, but I believe 6" circle is good for Fox and about a 10" is what I used for the yotes. Ya'll got me to gettin the itch again.......Coyotes and Fox in a snare is quite an experience! Some may be found dead already though.
I didn't trap this year, but the last few years I caught quite a few coyotes using a manure set. This is a very easy way to catch yotes. Start off by attaching 2 #3 coil spring traps to a 15 lb piece of firewood to create your drag (If you stake the traps in the ground, a lot of times the yotes are strong enough to pull the stake out). I then attach a 10' piece of lightweight chain to the firewood which will get wrapped around fences, logs, etc as the coyote pulls the drag. Find a high point on a travel route (farming lane, ditch, or fingers are great locations) and place your trap 10-15 feet off lane. I then dump a burlap bag full of horse manure from the stable over the firewood making a mound. Place traps around the edge of the mound and lightly cover with a very fine pieces of the manure/straw and spray with redfox urine. If I have a mouse, I will also dig a small hole into the manure and place the mouse in the hole. I always make two sets side by side (10-15 yards apart) because a lot of times the coyotes will travel in pairs. A couple years back, I only had 5 sets out and caught 8 coyotes the first week of trapping.
That is an interesting set up. How far away will the coyotes be usually after dragging the log around? Sounds fairly easy to do. Is the use of manure to help mask the human odor?
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HA! I'm good for one a month!!! "If you've untied a dog knot, you might be a Redneck. Or just a sick fuggar!" lmao
The distance depends on if they take off across an open area or head to the woods. I have followed a drag for close to a mile and have also found the yote 20 yards from the set. As far as the manure, you could use anything to create you mound (sawdust pile, soil, soybean shaft, straw bail) becasue it is basically just to catch the yotes eye. They are very curious and will want to investigate your mound. I use horse manure for a couple of reasons; 1. it doesn't freeze as fast as dirt. 2. it is fine enough to cover your traps 3. yotes can smell it. As far as stakes, I have never used a stake after hearing of other trappers losing traps to yotes. Last week my uncle was coytote hunting and killed one that was dragging a trap. The drag also prevents them from pulling out of the trap.
I thought it was a requirement to stake them? I could be wrong. Maybe just the standard method but not a law? Educate me.
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I just read the regs, and drags are not legal in Ohio. I wouldn't worry too much about that though. I don't think many WO are out buggin trappers catching coyotes this time of year.
I've never gotten into trapping (at least not yet), so this may be a dumb question, but why not just figure out a better way to stake your traps down instead of using a drag? It doesn't make any sense to me why a guy would want to "follow a drag for close to a mile" when he could just stake a trap and not have to walk anywhere. What if a coyote pulls a drag a ways off and you have trouble figuring out which way it went? What do you do then? I mean, I totally understand the concept of mounding manure or other debris to lure the coyotes in, but couldn't you apply the same strategy while using a stake instead of a drag?
I am not any sort of expert here either. I have some basic knowledge but have never trapped. I guess my thoughts are: If the yotes are pulling out the stake, then maybe get a longer one or double stake it? Got to be a better way. Not bashing on you. Just curious.