First Time Coyote Trapping-Any Advice is Welcome

wind gypsy said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
go_deep said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Dobeman887 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

 
Dobeman887 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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?
 
ElDiablito said:
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?
Click to expand...
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?
 
Dobeman887 said:
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?
Click to expand...
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.
 
Im just getting into trapping myself. We’re starting with coon trapping 1st. Thanks for all this great info. Good luck to all.
 
go_deep said:
@Dobeman887 you ever catch that coyote?
Click to expand...
No, I'm afraid not. We got a bunch of snow after I last posted, so now I am in the process of digging up and resetting at even lower tension. And despite dying them and waxing them there is still some significant rust on them???? I'm a persistent person though. I will continue experimenting until I get things correct.
 
Dobeman887 said:
No, I'm afraid not. We got a bunch of snow after I last posted, so now I am in the process of digging up and resetting at even lower tension. And despite dying them and waxing them there is still some significant rust on them???? I'm a persistent person though. I will continue experimenting until I get things correct.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't worry too much about the rust. I get some here and there on a few on my traps, just power wash them after season to clean them up.
On a side not, I actually painted most of my traps with rust-oleum, that's what I'll do going forward, worked awesome.

Good luck, you'll get it dialed in!
 
go_deep said:
I wouldn't worry too much about the rust. I get some here and there on a few on my traps, just power wash them after season to clean them up.
On a side not, I actually painted most of my traps with rust-oleum, that's what I'll do going forward, worked awesome.

Good luck, you'll get it dialed in!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the Rust-oleum tip-I'll definitely do that at the end of the season.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

go_deep
Foothold trap review
Replies
15
Views
2K
wytx
wytx
go_deep
Trapping Bait and Lure
Replies
15
Views
2K
go_deep
go_deep
IronNoggin
B.C. wolves use line to pull up crab traps
Replies
14
Views
1K
displacedtexan
displacedtexan
Rocking_OX
Trapping coyotes... any suggestions
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
pirogue
pirogue
go_deep
Wyoming Anti-trapping Bill
2 3
Replies
58
Views
4K
roadrunner
R

Latest posts

Featured Video

Latest Articles

Back
Top