leaving the carcass at the set

[bluegrassman]

looking through O'Gormans catalog i see 2 or 3 of his students testimonials talkin about skinning on the line and (leaving the carcass at the set, where it belongs) and am curious how many of you all leave a coyote carcass at the trap set? and if so why?

[FWS]

leaving the carcass at the set, where it belongs

And greatly increase the likelihood of catching non-targets, particularly avian scavengers, the majority of which are Federally protected.

Not a good idea........................

[calvin]

Was he talking RIGHT at the set site or just out in the general area? Many of mine go in the general area as I skin some off the truck.

[stickbowhntr]

I always thought he was talking general area, thanks for clearing that up for me.

[Hornhunter]

Always return my carcasses for the eagles and ravens to find, but learned long time ago that even a 100-200 hundred feet can be too close. Drove down one morning into a gravel pit and there's an immature eagle standing beside a coyote set. At first I thought he was in it, sure relieved when it flew off. Trap was well over 100ft away. Other eagles were on the carcass pile, and the trees were lined with about a dozen ravens.

[kelly]

Of course, in the general area-not where the trap is!

[trappnman]

last year was the first year I skun in the field and left carcasses. Love it. just not having to haul coyotes around all day, transporting them to the shed, back to the truck and then disposal the next day makes it enough reason to do so- the carcasses are just a bonus.

the law in Mn reads no exposed bait (that can be seen overhead) within 20 feet of the trap, except for bits of fur or feathers used as flagging.

I did catch a golden eagle last year- easily released.

but in all the years previous to that, w/no carcasses at location, I still have caught over the years a couple of owls, and a couple of turkey vultures (all released unharmed) plus every other year or so a turkey (also released unharmed).

Why? just the big bare pattern, is enough to draw such birds in as dusting areas (checkout gopher mounds in turkey areas for example), and the hole also, is an attraction-

so I cannot say adding carcasses, increased or decreased, the bird incidentals.

[bluegrassman]

not sure if there talkin at the set or general area. thats why i asked on here

[trappnman]

I think you can take it as the general area,

[cmr2]

think the smell of death is what is the thought ,as coyotes investigate it they circle in to the trap , but thats my take on the reasoning but sure would have a better explaination

[jerrycat]

One thing bad about leaving carcass in the area where you have traps is eagles will kill animals you have in traps and eat on them also.

[cmr2]

lucky here the eagles are not a problem

[trappnman]

haven't had that happen yet, but its only been 1 year. but we do have the highest non alaskan population of Eagles here- so I could see it happening.