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Post by trappnman on Aug 28, 2021 7:04:15 GMT -6
When you think on how "sweet" decomposing meat smells at certain points, makes you wonder if sweet/minty/minky triggers that same response.
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Post by trappnman on Aug 24, 2021 7:54:54 GMT -6
I believe that. Can there be any animal more opportunistic than a coyote when it comes to food? Maybe coon to a degree, but the coyote is indiscriminate in what they will eat, I guess explaining why they dominate the predator scene in most parts of the country.
Wild plums in season, grasshoppers, corn, beans for all I know- wherever is "free" and easy. And in an area like mine, it explains why predation of domestics is very rare, and in my somewhat informed opinion not all that common on deer either.
Coon become single-minded on feeding- if on corn they don't want much else- if in plums the same occurs. I think coyotes are more sampling everything they come across-
Soooo........
That brings us back to lures. Do we change up lures based on the season? Thats one way for sure. And perhaps if I did more off season work I might be more discriminant with types of lures, but both in my spring/summer collaring and the little ADC work I do (no one wants to pay for coyotes here, further enhancing the little predation here) I find my fall/winter mainstays- pretty much all curiosity/call type lures. works as well in off season, as fall season.
While I have nothing against food type lures- reason I use bait- I don't think, unless perhaps in the dead of winter, that a coyote is working the set because he is hungry- he might eat what he finds (in his mind), I don't think thats the motivating factor in working the set.
That it all comes down to finding the odors intriguing, and wants to "see" what it is. To that end, I believe some odors are irresistible to a coyote-
skunk minty sweet minky horse
and that a combination of any two- makes both better.
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Post by trappnman on Aug 21, 2021 8:07:45 GMT -6
That looks like pretty sandy country? I do have some habitat like that here, but mainly on what is called Sand Prairie here- old sand dunes that have been there for eons, the flat valley floor of the Mississippi. I trapped otter for the radio program in that country, and saw coyote sign to be sure. In fact, in that country during the otter, was when I learned 2 things- how to age coyote scat day to day in various weather and how to identify spring warblers a little better.
It would be interesting to know what a scat study in your area would show.
Here- and this surprised me- the #1 thing found most in scat, in 4 seasons, was voles. And not mice types in general, specifically voles. then it was vegetation, insects, other small critters- venison and beef were way down on the list, as were mice- and it was assumed, from the small occurrences of beef and deer that those were scavenged, not preyed on.
So I look where my concentrations are- and voles makes 100% absolute sense- they are hunting the short fields, the grassland edges, the "willow wet patches" for lack of a better term-
so- and this is my conclusion or theory- they are never hungry, but seldom full.
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Post by trappnman on Aug 21, 2021 7:46:50 GMT -6
Im confused- I understand the process is different up there- here its injected just under the soil-
explain it more please
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Post by trappnman on Aug 20, 2021 7:08:51 GMT -6
the problem with snow besides the obvious, is that access is so limited. Unless you want to trap off of a snowmobile, its walk in. and once deep snow comes- very few coyotes up in the fields, and more in the coulees and hills.
While I understand your trial sets in snow- aren't the deer also following the same trials more or less? At least the main ones with the most travel. At least that is the case here. FYI- our snare laws here are pretty decent except for loop size, but one law is silly if followed- illegal to set a snare, in any trail used by deer.
True deep snow trapping for me, the few years I tried it was so low % that it was strickly a hobby line- but nothing prettier than a red in snow, etc.
"Snow causes another difficultly because it muffles the scent volatilization. The coyote smells it for sure BUT I feel it has some difficultly pinpointing the exact source of it. This causes what I see as a different way of how they work the set. There is far more foot movement almost on top of the set as compared to the same set in bare ground and they want to circle up wind and reasonably tight to the backing."
I agree, found the same thing in my over subtle blind sets- more digging to pinpoint odor.
Snow is a cruel teacher. It doesn't teach you much on the catches, but oh boy does it on the misses.
some tentative observations:
1) if I have standbacks and refusal to work the set, its usually from a distance. I think these coyotes are set shy, and are aware of the set but will not work it.
2) Contrary to what I would expect, I seldom have a blown out hole and no coyote, meaning working from side/back of set, in snow vs bare ground. Part of that mght be far more time on bare ground vs snow.
3) My most common cause of a miss, is a slight digging at one part of the trap bed- I take this to mean he is smelling the trap, and with snow covering it is more curious, thus the little digging. and then move on.
4) next, is luck. With guides under snow, sometimes the set is worked from an angle that wasn't apparent on bare ground, but with snow, its "the" pathway. Where he just missed the trap.
I depend on visuals. Without making every set ready for snow (I don't, ever the optimist), the white skulls and bones are next to useless, so I usually at the minimum will clear a space for the skull, even if I leave the sets alone.
Your leaf blower idea- We got a converter so we can charge batteries, but never thought about weed whippers or blowers. Lori has been cleaning out tall grass areas with a sickle. With a 100 foot cord, thats going to be a thing of the past, and same with light snow and leaf blower. Ah, the modern age lol.
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Post by trappnman on Aug 19, 2021 7:05:01 GMT -6
I'm not talking deep, sustained snow. That's a whole other story.
What I am talking about, is those snows you get that come and go, or where you get a few inches or so on the ground while yo uhave a line out. Or worse yet, having to set in those conditions.
Over the past few years snow off and on is the rule, not the exception.
Each year, I try to figure out the definitive thing to do, my go to after snows.
Non of this is set in stone, as it's a process in fluxm but I'm leaning to thinking like this:
First of all, if dry snow, there isn't a place inside of 4 walls, where its not going to drift. The only thing that wouldn't, would be an absolutely flat set, where trap is level to ground, no attraction that is above ground, and very small lure holes in absolutely flat location with no obstructions close by. Sadly- not a location too attractive to coyotes, esp with snow on the ground.
If I have to set with snow on the rgound, the ground is usually not froze under it, so I can clear and area and make a standard dirthole. 2 years ago, we had to set a few traps in fresh snow- so I said lets minimize our walking back and forth, cause the tracks will stick out like a sore thumb. But I forgot that, and she forgot that- and by the time we were done it looked like a circus had taken place there. My thought was imagine all the tracks when we WEREN'T being careful. So one "conclusion" re amplified is coyotes don't give a crap about tracks.
I always thought that in snow, the visual aspect of the tracks were bad- but when I think of all the times I see tracks over my tracks over the years, and knowing that the scent tracks are just as apparent to a coyote as footprints, that in most circumstances they, as the saying goes- know you aren't there now. I used to try to bruch out my tracks in snow- not worth the time imo at least not here.
The bigger problem for me, is when snow falls on a line. How should I maintain the sets- clear them? Leave them alone? Both?
One quickly learns that small warm weather guides don't have a lot of value under snow- so the set and a big guide (my loose jaw guard with peat) are what I use. The dirt hole, the somewhat dished pattern, and the big guide do standout in up to 2 or 3 inches of snow if drifting, and a bit more if not.
So I've come to this "conclusion":
Day One after the snow, I don't touch a thing. I just want to get what I have in traps, and get home safely on the roads.
Day Two- if the weather is warming up, and the snow is going to melt very soon- I again do nothing. But if its going to stay, then the sets that I can't see, where the hole is snow covered- Then I'll shovel or rake the pattern to a mottled look, & give the set fresh urine.
If the set is still visible- that is, I can see the hole or most of it, I'll leave it for a day or two more. Or more likely if I have to stop at a location I'll redo the set by raking and fresh urine and over the next couple of days I'll get them all if unworked.
remakes are great- a big dirt circle in the midst of snow, talk about eye appeal.
If I get a snow with a day or two left, no matter I'll leave everything untouched as not worth the effort for the coyotes left when I'm pulling so soon.
Thoughts?
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Post by trappnman on Aug 17, 2021 5:46:25 GMT -6
"Surprize-surprise everything in that field is a death zone, from mice to pocket gophers to jackrabbits to Hunns that flush from the tractor and land in the wrong zone. every coyote knows it's a no-go zone if they value their lungs from being frozen."
coyotes travel it and go to the fingers either way. I've not seen where they stop using the fields both as travel ways, and if there are humting areas the same. years ago seemed everyone did it, now not so ften and you don't see the tanks like you did.
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Post by trappnman on Aug 14, 2021 6:59:58 GMT -6
Yes, thats Ed Schinieders approach as well.
I can take a trap and put a set on any farm, anywhere on that farm- and if I stay there long enough, I'll catch a coyote.
But I have no interest in such.
My goal isn't to set and sit- its to catch and move on- and I can't do that, setting spokes.
The main travelways here are the fore mentioned waterways....and they aren't interstates with obvious lanes and routes- they are the inner city, with countless streets and byways.
Why set all those up? EVEN ON THOSE TRAVELWAYS THERE ARE STALL OUT SPOTS. All places his feet go- ARE NOT EQUAL.
THAT, in a nutshell, is the core of "the system". Its all about mindset.
I think the difference here, is you think those displaced coyotes are business as usual, I think nothing could be further from the truth.
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Post by trappnman on Aug 13, 2021 9:31:33 GMT -6
not nitpicking, but trying to make the point as things are here-
"However, within a few days of harvest the majority of the family members have moved or scattered to surrounding cover areas. They still run the fencerows to travel among the cover areas such as unharvested fields, CRP fields, rough ground areas, and between drainages. As I mentioned, single coyotes lay in fencerows during the day in areas that are mainly crop ground"
Yes, coyotes hunt harvest, and coyotes follow old fashion manure wagons as well.
You used the word scatterred. Ok- I'll go with that with the caveat of scattered, implys panic. A flock of birds scatters when a hawk dive bombs- same with a covey of quail, and so on. And when it happens enough, there is no more familiar territory esp in true corn country. mixed farms yes- but there we are talking strips, small acreages- not hundreds of continuous acres. When thats gone, its gone. No fencerows.
Farmer sees coyotes all summer- after harvest poof! I've learned not to set up such places. I guess as my silver bullet for locations- is what is here, or close enough by, to support coyotes in the dead of winter? Because that, allows coyotes to be there during summer and early fall.
That is good in one way- it forces those coyotes to scatter- and when they do- they encounter other coyotes- how does that go one wonders. Probably not too well for a young pup used to love from mama.
So they aren't panicked like someone unloading a rifle at their tail- but they are certainly in a different mindset, and its not business as usual. And yes, they do follow travelanes that otherwise might not be traveled much since they are in essence lost- every turn of a corner is new to them. Thus- the one and done.
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Post by trappnman on Aug 13, 2021 9:18:23 GMT -6
FWIW- I would think that on the one and only dairy- IF he is like here with silage piles, bale stacks and a compost pile- Id think that if he stopped the hunting now, by season coyotes would find a way there. I'd give it one more year- had the farmer stop the hunting, and then scout for sign in a month or so.
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Post by trappnman on Aug 12, 2021 18:12:51 GMT -6
1080 once told me- if they don't want you to trap coyotes, they don't have enough to bother.
I think some truth there
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Post by trappnman on Aug 12, 2021 18:11:39 GMT -6
Also, once anhydrous is applied there is little to no activity in the bean ground.
odd- makes no difference either way here
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Post by trappnman on Aug 11, 2021 7:42:28 GMT -6
I've had some big operations owned by corps, where I gave my card and was told they would contact me, but never did.
But thats the exception. Permissions here are for the most part easy to get- esp when Im not after deer or turkeys or whatever, just coyotes.
Best days for me are in a few weeks- summer stuff done, fall stuff just getting started so usually around, and a rainy day makes that all the more so. I ask for the boss, and then give him my card, explain who I am, when I'll be there, etc and I get the permissions. Really helps i na new area to get a "big name" or two as permissions- then I can say "I trap coyotes for so and so down the road" and that takes care of any hesitation.
At new farms, if only the wife is home, or a hired man says sure go ahead, I giver my card, and say that I'll be there at that time, if there are any concerns or you decide you don't want me to trap- give me a call. Cause if you say call me if you WANT me to trap- the farmer usually doesn't have time and will "get to it" later but never does My oddest call- a new farm 3 years ago, gave my card to the son, I get a call from wife- turns out she was a Gappa, and we were 3rd cousins. That was kinda neat.
On my old permissions, many are on farms I gopher trap- and we are used to texting about hay so a text or contact throughout the summer takes care of that. Mainly on my middle line. On my east and west lines, newer and less contact, I'll stop by yet this summer, talk a bit, if no one home leave my card with the note "got X last year, will be here this time, any problems call me".
flathead got me to sign up for OnXhunt- what a tool for property lines and ownership- just playing around with it this summer saw several farms owned by farmers I trapped for, but didn't know they owned as well. Get it if you don't have it, its that good. Suppose to have a map layer showing last years crops as well, but haven't had time to play with it yet.
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Post by trappnman on Aug 11, 2021 7:28:51 GMT -6
I'll check it out
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Post by trappnman on Aug 11, 2021 7:18:47 GMT -6
seldom- my comment included a quote I disagreed with from Griz-
well, standing corn setting is a big no no and never happens for me.
Here we have a couple scenarios.
1) the big dairys, for the most part have 2 crops- hay and corn. And the corn, just about always, is chopped and chopping will be starting now and will be finished by end of Sept if not earlier, most times much earlier as they want that high moisture corn.
Plowing the chopped corn depends on the farms- some plow right away, the ones that have beans or maybe hay to put up, will wait until everything is done for the year but just before freeze to plow. And many leave "paths" where the side part of the field isn't p;owed as they use the edge for various things- getting to hay, getting to silage, etc.
so chopped corn is alright with me.
2) those that pick corn, usually bale the stalks- so if you want to trap it (or more apt for me use it as a travelway) you would be safe to that point- but I almost never call it never set in cornfields in any form- with the exception of edges of chopped corn, which usually is around a compost pile.
3) The mixed baggers- those that chop a little, pick a little, and also have beans and hay. My favorite farms for several reasons: access cause mixed crops mean field roads, edges and the biggest bonus of all- BEAN FIELDS
Bean fields are super wet weather access points for me. The duff provides a top layer over the dirt, and as long as you don't stop, or only stop on an incline (easy to do) you can drive thme in some horrible conditions. Plus, coyotes hunt bean fields- and the little fingers that occur of weeds, unharvested beans- are deadly attraction points. Sets are easy to make- bean duff piles are quick and very successful- I'll set bean fields 100% given a choice.
Only disadvantage is when it rains, its.....muddy coyotes.
4) my 2nd choice, is short grass. I hate high grass. So bean fields, and hay fields are the ticket. Ask which are old hay and will be plowed in spring, and you have more good access.
Speaking of access- thats the one downfall of farm country.. I don't mind the people- I have more land to trap if I wanted than I could ever set up and we are a rural farming area. Only times I ever got turned down from permission is if someone else was trapping
But access- bigger farms have constant traffic on the field roads, so they are hard packed dirt that turns into an ice rink when muddy. and those roads lead to the best locations. Its very tempting to say screw it, I'll deal with wet weather when it happens, but over the years I've learned NOT to set up such locations unless one of two things were there: a flat out 100% dry forecast for the time i'll be there (hey, it happens) OR have at least 1 "escape route" meaning if I have to, if weather gets so bad, I have at least a 1 time use access to get in and out, that normally I'd not be able to take.
A note on field roads- big farms have the worst wet weather roads- all packed dirt. The smaller mixed crop farms, usually have decent, grassy field roads. A few (Yea!) actually have gravel on the main roads, or at least the trouble spots.
I have maybe 15 big dairies, a few smaller ones, maybe 6 or 7 bigger beef guys, and a lot of little guys raising 20-50 pairs of beef and/or raising calves for te bigger dairies. And all my locations, very few don't have cows at least close. Have 2 sheep guys, and a few pig operations.
Cows, etc are the key here. Yes, you can catch them without livestock, but its far more random, simply because there is plenty of food, plenty of cover, but nothing to concentrate anything.
I love trapping farm country. With the possible exception of being out west, I've seen no part of the country where I'd rather trap than here. I did like out west, esp on the Pathfinder- seeing herds of elk, pronghorns, deer were neat, and I didn't see a house or anyone all day- a different experience for sure.
But here- I like familiar country. I like continuity. some of these farmers Im on 2nd generation with. Ive trapped some of these places 30 years. 100% of my locations, are on working farms. I wouldn't trade it for anything else.
"Ed Schneider told me a story about him & Richard having to calculate to a farmer in the Dakotas how many stalks of corn would be ruined by a coyote in one of their traps. They told him and the farmer figured what his loss would be before allowing them to trap in his corn."
He should calculate how much corn those coyotes are eating as well. Talked to Ed at MTA, and watched his demo. He is almost a blind set guy, even in bean fields its more of a blind set at the duff pile. Relies on fence lines quite a bit as a variation of a walkthrough. Very very few fencelines here, and if there are its almost always a hot wire.
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Post by trappnman on Aug 9, 2021 21:27:38 GMT -6
'I would add that the resident family does not all panic and split up or leave the general area when harvest occurs.'
you are missing the point- at least here that simply isn't imo true.
How much corn do you have> here, corn is king.
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Post by trappnman on Aug 9, 2021 10:45:38 GMT -6
yeah, thats what I think too
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Post by trappnman on Aug 9, 2021 8:27:06 GMT -6
is there an easy way to post pics from your phone, to here?
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Post by trappnman on Aug 9, 2021 8:15:59 GMT -6
Agreed.
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Post by trappnman on Aug 9, 2021 7:11:33 GMT -6
Nice logo btw.........
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