Guiding.....

[trappnman]

I've often thought- subtle- or very obvious. Anything in between seems to be treated with "what are ya tryin' to pull here buddy.."

[ChrisM]

Subtle or obvious

You know my motto........Natural!

As in "not appearing constructed."

[trappnman]

I couldn't agree more - natural is the key.

[k9]

I never fully appreciated "in your face" kind of guiding until I spent some time in Wyoming around some bobcat trappers. I am used to coyote trapping, and my mouth about fell open when I saw the type of guiding these guys do for cats. Some coyotes fall for it too, but I can't justify going that far.

I think Chris said it best. Subtle or obvious, as long as it is natural. Coyotes step over rocks and cow poop every day. Some of them are "big ass rocks".

[JLDakota]

I poorly indentfied in my above post that the cheek guide the gentleman in Ohio uses is strictly at his dirthole and not his flat sets. I agree a c.g. would be usually out of place at a flat set. Although he uses some flats, the majority of his sets the last time I spoke with him were his dirt holes and he had taken 46 in roughly 2 weeks out of 70 traps on his typical Ohio farm ground. His c.g. must be both subtle and obvious to those coyotes that choose to check out his set. Jim

[trappnman]

uses cg at dirtholes, not flat sets

Why's that Jim? Does he make his dirtholes closer to cover?

Now that I understand the concept...it could be applied to certain flat setsd- in beanfields, corn stubble.

I'm getin old and repeat my stories- but pre snow one day, put a bunch of pencil sized sticks say 3-4 feet tall behind my sets- nor for guides but as snow markers. Really saw next day in snow where a lot of yotes were spooked by its sudden appearance or how it stuck up-

But those sticks were just stuck in, not postioned as part of an overall presentation.

[a1foxhopper]

Cheek guides at dirt holes? O.K. guys you got my interest! Tell us how! post some pics! Teach this old dog a new trick!

[JLDakota]

Steve,
I think all of us agree that our sets are successful not because of one specific thing we do usually, but a combo of a bunch little things we do that experience has taught us or we feel makes a difference when all are added together in the total package we call a set. The c.g. in his case is just one little touch he's added over time to force the odds that the coyote will predictably move and position his body and feet over the pan. He uses backing and or cover if its convienient, but if the situation tells him the set belongs "here" and there's no backing he grabs his tile spade and digs the deep,(12-14") narrow(3-4"), tall (width of tile spade) hole at about a 45. He runs a ridge of dirt similar to Leggett's improved stepdown on one side with the end of the ridge even with the pan which is back 12-14 and offset a couple. The tall c.g. is placed right beside the edge of the hole farthest away from the ridge. The coyote is forced by the c.g. right by his ear, to move over slightly to center up on the deep hole and the ridge of dirt guides him subtlely to put his foot on the pan instead of the ridge. I believe it is the need to satisfy his curosity associated with the tall, skinny, deep hole that allows him to be moved where he has to, to receive the braclet. Jim

[Rob220swift]

Someone might want to run this cheek guide concept by Asa Lenon. I seem to remember him mentioning using 2 natural looking sticks angling out from the outside of the trap jaws at a 45 degree angle on his dirt hole sets when he feels it won't be out of place. This may be a form of cheek guide.

[briankroberts]

I guide with depressions, tufts of grass, small clods, small ridges of dirt or debris,and what ever else lends itself.
Chris M Said:Wind direction and coyotes approach path and use this info to determine the exact trap pacement.
I couldn't agree more Chris.
I've always felt that wind direction and placement of scent accordingly would bring the Coyote in from the right direction to begin with and then you can narrow down the possiblitys.
I always look for a way to get the Coyote to place his foot in the right spot on the 1st step.....B.....

[BK]

Well here's a problem I have late I use sticks 3-4 " often. sometimes rocks............Now when the snow gets deep enough I feel I have to broom some off my guides take a hike because the ground isn't froze over my set from waxed dirt ,.antifreeze or whatever I'm using.

[conibear1]

2 things increased my catch of fox in the last 3 years:

1) Better guiding with dirt clogs and other...


2) Nightlatching my traps.

I can't stress the first one enough!! Slim's video really opened my eyes and mind on this. Without guiding I'm sure I would have missed many fox.

[trappnman]

bk- been there!

subtle guides jst don't work with snow covering them.

Wiley told me to use sticks, etc as vertical guides in this situation.

[tim125]

i never guide dirt sets for fox - always give them and open exit of travel line

[Steve Gappa]

Guidng in no way, at least how I do it - closes no entrances or clear exits. How do you mean?

Subtle....

[tim125]

on fox only- 13 years of foxes in pens never saw 1 walk in reverse like you can make a dog do when you walk into him- all sets have a clear thru line of travel even when stuffed up next to a steep bank-

[trappnman]

interesting