Lure burn out ?

[Cliffy]

OK

Here is the set up.

I trap 3 farms every year for k-9's from the first day to the last. Sets are in proven locations that you would not consider hot spots but usually produce a single k-9 (yote or fox) every 14 days (average).

Part 2

I hate having and keeping track of 20 different lures so the last 2 years I have used 3.

XLDC
Cattchotier
Fox urine mixed with Gland (usually later in season.
Only variation is sometimes I add muskrat or groundhog meat for bait.

This season the sets really didn't produce (mostly due to being froze in). I did notice that there where k-9's in the area, very few but they were still there.

They were not avoiding sets so much as ignoring them.
they would walk right past, almost getting caught as though in a blind set, but not even breaking stride to check out the lure. I know they could smell it cause I could.

I'm not the greatest trapper and have pinched a few dogs on these farms in years past.

Do you think that these are resident k-9's ? (if such a thing exists)

Since I only used these 3 lures for the last 2 years in the same locations do you think they are just used to it and ignore it?

Cliffy

[yota]

Cliffy,

Nope..............gotta headache so I will let the others type......

[trappnman]

IMHO, I think Buzz is right.

Consider this- in a normal population area, from 60-70% of the population is young of the year.

So those coyotes couldn't possibly have lure burnout.

Another thing- our study here shows AT LEAST AT FIRST "GLANCE" that we are having almost a complete populaton turnover in a 2 year period.

One last point- this year, caught 3 of the coyotes I collared last spring and last fall- with the same lures. And you KNOW if any coyote would be lure shy, these would be.

But what was the problem? Boy Cliffy, hard to say. It could be so many things. Keeping in mind the problem might simply be not many coyotes, here's what I find is usually the problem when I have similar troubles My #1 bugaboo is visuals. I find that the coyotes here are very sensitive to color patterns, textures, etc. In other words- if you can "see" the trap and/or if the pattern looks different- the coyote will see it also, be wary of it, and refuse to work the set. #2- rusty traps- I know many say that rust causes no problems- and perhaps rust itself doesn't, but I am convinced that rusting traps in a bed causes the exact same type of problems as bad visuals do.

You might also consider the use of the land. If the land is getting a lot of use- hunters, etc- coyotes can pass thorugh, but don't feel comfortable enough to stay and BE curious (the main reason I feel coyotes work sets)

You did mention frozen sets- could coyotes have been working the sets and you just didn't see tracks?

[Cliffy]

While it was a nightmare keeping sets working the snow showed that they did not even stop walking as they stepped over/by the set.

Hunting pressure was a very big change from last season. The rabbit population around here has exploded, more rabbit hunters with dogs (&without permission) that I have ever seen.

While I'm right and they are wrong I still pulled off one farm due to people hunting it almost every danged day.

Small game hunting pressure had been almost nonexistant in seasons past.

Cliffy

[dj88ryr]

I noticed a similar phenomenom during our hunting season, and I think what Steve said has a lot to do with it, they were too jumpy to be comfortable enough to hang around long. The fact that they made their way to the set proves that they could smell it. Maybe too much lure?? Maybe it isn't the lure but the set construction, not insinuating that you made bad sets, just that your set making style is familiar to those particular animals, try different types of sets.

You didn't say whether the sets with meat in them were worked any harder. If they weren't I think the original theory of them being too skittish may again prove to be responsible.

On a closing note, my catches did pick up a few days after the hunting season ended, in the same sets that they were just walking by during the season. Lots of traffic in their home area really messes them up.

[CoonDuke]

I saw this a lot too. I've seen posts where other trappers noticed this as well.

I'm just a country boy, but I'm willing to bet we have K9s walking by and ignoring our sets all season long...we just don't notice it without snow.

For whatever reason, they just aint in the mood to investigate sets. I think this is why we see "good nights" and "bad nights" too.

[trappnman]

I think thats exactly right LogicalDuke.

If a guy is picking up good numbers, the misses (or walkbys) don't sem as important. I also believe that it happens fairly often that a canine walks right by one set- then falls for the next similarly made and lured set.

[Stef]

Also, this year I made a bunch of coyote sets this year at a good location of mine.

I usually catch 4-5 yotes ( a family ) at that location in short time year after year.
This year, farmer rotated his fields.
Coyote refused to work the sets ( 3 )
Went 3 section from that location and hit a double (pup and B@tch) at the first check than a big male at remake and another pup at the same remake.

One set had the same lure as one at the other set where it did not produced and got 3 on 4 on that set ;D

I believe that it is more like a bad mood, location shy and bad set presentation.

Stef