First Time Coyote Trapping-Any Advice is Welcome

[go_deep]

Got any good resources for snare tips?

What state are you in?

 

[wind gypsy]

What state are you in?

MN.

Not running anything serious, just looking to be more effective on chicken eaters in my heavily wooded 6 acre yard. I started last year and caught a couple coyotes in 550s.

 

[go_deep]

MN.

Not running anything serious, just looking to be more effective on chicken eaters in my heavily wooded 6 acre yard. I started last year and caught a couple coyotes in 550s.

If you got brushy trails look up videos on YouTube, trapping with jinx. He's got some really good videos, but his snare trail sets would be right up your alley for the type of terrain your in.

 

[Dobeman887]

How much dirt are you putting over the pan?
Where is your dog oriented to the bait?

No way a k9 should be able to step on that pan without tripping it.

I have caught rabbits and squirrels in my mb-550's and no-bs k9 extremes, that seems crazy hard to trip.

I am putting as little dirt as possible over the trap (using the sifting pan and just using enough dirt so the trap can't be seen. How much weight should it take to set off the pan? I had to push down a bit with a 6ft post to set them off yesterday when digging them up.

 

[go_deep]

I am putting as little dirt as possible over the trap (using the sifting pan and just using enough dirt so the trap can't be seen. How much weight should it take to set off the pan? I had to push down a bit with a 6ft post to set them off yesterday when digging them up.

That's way too hard, like I said above, I've got squirrel and rabbits tripping mine off.

Are you setting the night latch?

When the trap isn't set if you lift the pan does it fall back down freely and fast? If not I'd say you need to loosen the pan up more.

 

[Nine Banger]

Are you setting the night latch?

Good call.

 

[go_deep]

About the 3 minute mark in this video he sets the night latch on a duke 550.

 

[ElDiablito]

I am putting as little dirt as possible over the trap (using the sifting pan and just using enough dirt so the trap can't be seen. How much weight should it take to set off the pan? I had to push down a bit with a 6ft post to set them off yesterday when digging them up.

You want 3-4 lbs pan tension. Sounds like you’re way above that.

And…..depending on the conditions, 1/8” to 1/4” of dirt covering the pan.

Don’t know if I caught it - how did you prep the traps? Dye/wax, dip, etc?

 

[Dobeman887]

You want 3-4 lbs pan tension. Sounds like you’re way above that.

And…..depending on the conditions, 1/8” to 1/4” of dirt covering the pan.

Don’t know if I caught it - how did you prep the traps? Dye/wax, dip, etc?

I dyed them and waxed them. I would say I have no more than 1/4 inch of loose dirt on top of them. I just don't understand what I'm doing wrong. Paw prints are on top of the pan but it simply won't trip without me pushing down "somewhat" hard. I just purchased some Bridger traps yesterday to give them a try. They appear much easier to adjust in regard to pan tension. Unfortunately, it has rained so now the traps are covered in mud instead of dirt, and partially exposed so I will have to get some fresh dirt on them as soon as the soil dries a bit. Or is there a way to set the traps in "muddy/wet" conditions?

 

[ElDiablito]

I dyed them and waxed them. I would say I have no more than 1/4 inch of loose dirt on top of them. I just don't understand what I'm doing wrong. Paw prints are on top of the pan but it simply won't trip without me pushing down "somewhat" hard. I just purchased some Bridger traps yesterday to give them a try. They appear much easier to adjust in regard to pan tension. Unfortunately, it has rained so now the traps are covered in mud instead of dirt, and partially exposed so I will have to get some fresh dirt on them as soon as the soil dries a bit. Or is there a way to set the traps in "muddy/wet" conditions?

The pan tension and/or pan travel needs adjusting.

There are several methods of keeping a trap working in wet or freeze/thaw conditions.

I’d check out an actual trapping forum like Trapperman and do some reading.

 

[ElDiablito]

You may want to put up a game camera to see what is actually happening.