K-9 trapping myths.

[coydog]

What do you feel are some of the biggest myths involving K-9 trapping that should be red flagged .

Ill start with backings.
When I started out, I remember trappers saying to always set coyote traps against a backing that the animal can see over, and has plenty of room to circle.
In very few cases this may be a factor, but for the most part, Id say B.S.

[bobwendt]

gunderson, yes, definite b.s., as I commonly catch coyotes in standing corn ,or in pockets into cut banks, like a mink pocket would be made. Here are 2 more , thinking you need to re clean traps after possums, and , that traps must be rock solid- long and perfect hard packing etc. And the biggest of all, that red fox are smart.

[tim125]

i know guys that change traps after any catch and redye and wax

[trappnman]

1) human scent is a major factor
2) you can't catch coyotes next day cause sets need to air out
3) skunky lures are no good in hot weather

[dj88ryr]

Too much lure will spook canines.

[Beaverspanker]

"I commonly catch coyotes in standing corn "

Now we know where crop circles come from. ;D

[DaveLyons]

I think many myths come from people that are closed minded.

Coyotes adapt to every surrounding.

I personally believe I needed to redye my traps after I moved them. Now I know I can reuse them all season unless something major is wrong with them.

Dave

[coydog]

or
Fox wont work coyote urine/gland.

[Maineman]

• That Cable stakes won't hold a coyote...
• You can't catch a redfox in a cage trap
• putting up fur on wood brings more money than wire

[trappnman]

Some "myths" diehard....I am convinced that a RUSTING trap spooks coyotes here in my area- Whether its the combo of rust and lures and ? - don't know.

I am definitely of the bill Nelson/O'Gorman school on this- and that a heavy application of urine negates the problem.

[Traveler]

Here's another oldie but a goodie........you've got to wear rubber gloves.Fell for that one when I was a kid.Caught myself more times than I care to remember.

[bobwendt]

maineman, I would differ with you on 2 of your points, 1st the boxtrap deal. While it may be possible to box trap pups or city fox or a very very rare rural adult, for most practical purposes it is unlikely it would work regular at all. Of course keep in mind that very likely chester co. pa. may have the highest density of red fox/acre left anywhere in the u.s., and with thickness comes dumbness. The other point is the wood, I believe on the average it will get you more money not only on perfect fox but even more so on less than perfect fox. Just my opinion here, so don`t get ouchy.

[NittanyLion]

How about the post set? Most method books lead one to believe you catch the fox (canine) while it is urinating. Keep the trap out from the post and off set it so you catch it by the hind leg while it is in the act.

[Dusty]

That animals behave similarly across their range, even when that range is very large. Or, more generally, that you can extrapolate your experiences to cover all possible situations.

Not picking on you Bob (no matter how much fun that can be!!), but I'd guess box-trapping fox wouldn't be a problem at all here (other than lugging the boxes around). I've caught them in wolverine conibears, cat traps, mink traps, marten traps, etc - you name it, and there's a fox willing to stick a body part into it. These fox just don't get people yet - especially the high-altitude, way-out-in-the-boonies kind of fox. My guess is that being timid is a learned thing for fox, and the vast majority of them in more populated areas learned it (and learned it well, from what I've read) a long time ago.

AK fox maybe just ain't all that bright.

Density, as Bob noted, seems to have a similar effect - cram em together tight enough, and competition forces them to take risks that they wouldn't otherwise have to face.

Wolves and coyotes here are a whole nuther critter - naturally fearful of things they don't understand (ie, human beings) or they're just quicker learners?? Beats me.

As Dave said, coyotes adapt to every surrounding. Trappers, as a general rule, are less adaptable.

[Maineman]

LMFAO @ Bob...Ouchy

I by no means endorse cage traps for red fox but I was always told (as the myth goes) that you couldn't catch a red fox in a cage trap...Not that I've caught a ton nor think I could, but I did catch 1 in the back last season using your directions from another post (thanks)...Got it on video and PSB1011 can back it up...

The wood/wire debate will live on as long as there are trappers...I can probably add fuel to that fire as far as best money$

• Wire/wood
• Brushing or not
• Tumbling or not
• fat fat and bushy or long and skinny
• fleshing or not
• spraying or not
• October fox or not

And the list goes on...Now don't you EVER disagree with me again...

;D

[JLDakota]

Call lure above the ground in the vicinity of your lured dirthole won't catch you more fur. Jim

[Edge]

The hole for a dirthole must be just so......wrong,it just needs to be a hole.

The trap MUST be located "x" inches over,and "x" inches back...........totally dependant on the hole itself.

Every trap must have all the bells and whistles to hold yotes.......not,just adjust for conditions.

Trapping coyotes is hard;plain BS,*trapping*is hard work,it is not dependant on the species.

Edge

[Stef]

Offset traps are bad for toes catch ;D ;D ;D

Stef

[Stef]

Need a lot of pan tension to prevent toes catch

[bobwendt]

edge, good points, maineman, okey dokey! Dusty, I trap some wilderness areas in wyoming and have many photos of both adult and pup fox from as close as a few feet, the nuckleheads think I am just another deer or sheep I guess. I have caught one adult and quite a few pups by hand- the adult a fast tail grab, me laying on a big flat rock and reaching over. I don`t tell that one to hardly anyone as it seems so unbelievable.