Guiding Dirt Hole Sets

[GoBlueGuy]

Just started trapping a few weeks ago. I am an old guy (62) and have been very interested for awhile. I have been on 6 or 7 sites, read all I can possibly read for the limited time I have, and I have been decently successful trapping coon in dog proof traps (10 coon in 3 weeks) with only 5 traps. I live in Michigan and we had some heavy rains the last few weeks so I was delayed getting my traps out for coyotes and fox. I have read most of the archives in this forum and can't find very much information on "guiding". On You Tube, some set makers use it and some don't.

I made 6 dirt holes sets the other day, and used guiding on all of them. Several have been set off with one possum caught and empty traps found for the others.

My questions are 1. Do you use guiding and when you use it, is it tight say 3 to 4 inches away from the trap on angles to force the target into the funnel? 2. What material is used for guiding? Is it heavy branches or sticks or is it grass or pieces of dirt, rock etc? I believe I might be over doing it but my traps are getting worked. I have been using 3 or 4 small sticks on each side and narrowing them towards the hole.

Thanks in advance for all you guidance. After reading many posts on this site, this is the best for information that I have found. Your help has been great even though I am a new member.

[trappnman]

I believe that guiding at dirtholes starts with the shape of the set and the overall pattern.

I like everything centered as much as possible with the trap and dirthole centered to the pattern. I do like a slight depression over trap, more like the whole thing is dished- again, it lines things up "naturally" and starts the coyote off right.

I do like using some guides, but don't like to overdo it. Most of the times I use guides its a small rock or clump or dirt, that's next to the trap on whatever side I think needs some direction. Corncobs where they occur, are also good stepping guides.

other things like grass clumps, sticks, etc can be used and work well- but don't over guide. if too many guides are used, the set gets a blocked in look, and I find problems with that.

There are exceptions- a couple of spots that are very rocky or have lots of loose sticks and debris at them that are working pastures, a blocked in trap has good success in keeping cows out of it, and because the coyotes are used to lots of debris they have no concern working the sets.

Sounds to me, based on what you wrote, that you might be blocking and guiding too much with your 3-4 stick arrangement

Make a few sets with things centered up- I personally like the trap close to the hole (outer jaw 3-4" from edge of hole but opinions vary on that).


then look at them- do they need guides? are they, without guides, too open or non directional? if so, put in a clod (or rock) or two on the open side (where you don't want him to step) an inch or two outside the trap jaw. You can also, depending o the sets, place a grass or rock guide before the trap, so he steps over the guide onto the trap. but most times, guides aren't to get him into the trap, but (and yes suppose it comes down to same thing, but there is a difference) to keep him from going where you might not want a foot to go.

but if the set looks like the most obvious spot to work the set naturally occurs over the trap (which it should) then leave the guides out or at the very least, keep it to a minimum..

start with subtle guides- work your way up to more obvious ones after you start learning what works and doesn't work

[GoBlueGuy]

I am resetting today because of rain and some traps that were disturbed. I will take some pictures and post them if I can and see what experienced trappers feel about the set in general and the guiding I have set up. I know this sounds repetative but the responses from the people on this site are so great. I don't think I have ever been on a site where people are so willing to share information. I hunt, fish, shoot trap, and I research everything before I start because I like to read and get lots of information before hand. Never have I been on a forum that explains so much detail. Great site.

[foxman]

this forum may not be the one with most post, but i find the post that are on here are very detailed and informative!!

[michaelweese]

don't know if your problem is the same as mine, but i have alot of traps fired off by deer! The trap pans may also be to loose with to much dirt on top of them! If your trap is fired off and still in the bed tighten the pan tension. If its pulled out of the bed and no sign of strugle then it is more than likely a hoofed animal, deer, pig, cow, or ect.

[ksboy2]

m'weese.. i learned this in the sand last year... trap pulled straight out of bed with no circle or struggle was always deer!!!! first jump... they pull right out

[Nightwish (Catpaw)]

I use a stepdown style....trap levers at 12 & 6 o'clock...tight teardrop pattern, with low spot above pan and trap bed sides sloped up....I dont do any other guiding...

[hotandry]

I vote go easy on the guide sticks for coyotes. Little or none. Guide like crazy for cats but you asking about coyotes.

If you have a good smell down the hole or on the backing and the coyote is not spooked by something (like guide sticks), he wil step around a lot and eventually hit the pan.

[ksboy2]

its amazing how lucky they get sometimes...... tracks all over and trap is still setting in the bed unfired... lucky today... on stretcher tomorra'

[trappincoyotes39]

dig hole deep and at enough angle so long legged critters can't see down or work a hole without getting up close as most canines need to get nose close to evaluate what is at the bottom of a hole. Even a wobble hole if deep will make them come up close. Guiding means different things to different people small and natural is what works for me. Bean stuble, cactus chunks, small mound of packed dirt, rocks in a rocky spot, trench sets etc. your just changing the topo enough to get them to work through the set, in a natural way to step on the pan where they want to be anyhow.

[ksboy2]

i wish we could figure out why one coyote trots right by a set and the next one plows right into it.. LOL

someone could make a lot of money if they could figure that one out.... durn snow on the ground will really humble a feller haha

[michaelweese]

Just wish the coyotes would stay out of my cat sets!

[ksboy2]

mw,
i have had that trouble this past week also... funny how the coyotes look at you when you walk up like..."awwww just kill me i don't deserve to live b/c i fell for this stupid set" hahahahaha