Why do coyotes just walk on by sets?

[nycoyote]

I'm sure we all have experienced coyotes just walking by sets without them missing a beat. The more I trap the more I see this happen. I mean tracks just pass a few feet from the set with the wind in their face or i find fresh scat a few feet from the set.
I have to question myself if I am doing something wrong. Am I not using enough smells to peak their interest to check out the set? Is there not enough eye appeal along with smells at the set?  I trap such a short time that i want to be able to capitalize on every opportunity a coyote passes by.
I'm addicted to trapping these coyotes. They make me crazy but I love the challenge going after them.
For all you veteran coyote trappers....what can I do to increase my odds here?

Appreciate any feedback.

Thank you

[braveheart]

I wish I knew the answer. But even in snow you can stop them all make them work your sets and catch them and the next day you get one walks right between your sets and never breaks stride.Best way to up your odd is having a bones or skull to stop them and have them in a milling area they are at easy working your set.
When they get fewer and picked off this happens more often. I like a new lure or bait the last couple checks helps pick them up. That is about all I got.

[RdFx]

Ditto on what braveheart mentioned. Dont be afraid to try a differant type of set ESPECIALLY if another trapper has or is in area and uses just dirt holes ect... Good luck

[trappnman]

One thing to remember- is what you see in snow...happens on bare ground as well.

I don't think there is anyway to stop it from happening to some degree or another. I think there are a certain % of coyotes, that simple are too spooky or uninterested to work the set, even though they are aware of it. Just their nature. but I also think that a % of these coyotes, are caught at other sets, or other locations. That the nervousness is often caused by location, or simple seeing other coyotes in traps (which can make them location shy, if not lure/set shy.)

I firmly believe, that the location, and the set construction, makes a big difference in how a coyote reacts. That each can reduce the behaviors that keep a coyote from working the set. I'm committed to a bigger patterned dirthole for just about all my sets (all this past year) and believe that the messier the better

Location is just something that needs to be learned. I get (I hope) better each year. My thought on new locations is simple- WHY would a coyote want to be here, and if he did come here, would he stay? And the WHY is usually clear- or the converse..why WOULD a coyote come here? The staying around is something that I can only sum up in a word, that makes sense to me- is that would a coyote feel COMFORTABLE here? Because if comfortable- meaning relaxed, defenses down, linger.... is occurring- the coyote will have both the time and the inclination to work the set.

While I know that you can catch coyotes with a drop of lure, or no lure at all- I also believe that the more bells and whistles you give him the more apt he is to stick around to work the set. And for me that means multiple lures/baits and a good quantity of each. I do not believe that you can overlure a coyote set. I put no stock in the notion that you can use too much lure, and a set needs to "air out" before a coyote works it. Thusly, I use 2 lures at evry set- a good strong call lure, and a more subtle lure in the hole. I also on fresh sets use a good glob of commercial bait plus a half of a gopher (on new sets) and I use a lot of urine- a lot of urine. I also wil l if the opportunity is there, use a strong skunk call lure up high away from the set.

I too agree with using skulls and bones. Its a visual that stands out for a long ways- so it both attracts, and arouse curiosity when approached- again, it keeps them there a bit longer.

I also believe that after catching multiple coyotes at a location...the ones that are left are the ones that are inclined to be the most nervous- either by nature, or because of the commotion I've caused by being there, and taking coyotes. At this point- you can try a new lure, or I use fox urine at the end...but I find these last few very hard to catch and there is really only 1 solution- set up a new location within those coyotes range. Not different sets so much, as different places.

[nycoyote]

Good information here. Here in New York we just get so much rain that dirt holes are hard to keep working. Not sure Steve if you have any good suggestions on keeping them operative when we had over 30" of rain within a months time. I mainly do flat sets with bones or a pipe with bait in it. The idea of large bones or skulls is something I can certainly try. The multiple lure idea is something I will also try.

Steve,
How much urine do you go through in a season? I watched your DVD and was amazed at how much you use. It seems to work well for you.

[trappnman]

We had a rainy season as well- but nothing like 30 inches- that indeed is a lot of rain. Even well drained soils get soggy and cannot absorb any more. I feel your pain.

One thing you could try- is making a big messy dirthole type to get the eye appeal, and than have a subtle flat set close by. In other words, you would still have a hole, and a mound of dirt. Or you could make the big patterns, but use a mouse sized hole in a vertical wall going back horizontally. In other words, Use a mataxe to shear off back of trap bed where you would dig a hole- leave the "wall" 6-8 inches deep, and even out dirt in front to make a level pattern over trap, with just a slight dish at the "wall". Then make a small hole horizontally into the wall- that way you also have the appeal, and the pattern not much different than a flat set and no hole to fill with water. Thats actually how I prepare front of set to auger my holes, but those are at an angle.

If you have any banks of dirt- you can shear them off as well to make a vertical dirthole.

Sandy soil is hard to work with- but any old sandpits, etc? those are going to drain as well as any.

I do use a lot of urine. In running 38 ck days- running from 50-70 traps on 3 lines- we went through 8 gals of urine. I use it at fresh sets, remakes, and to freshen up sets if needed.