5 years of trapping and a new first!

[michaelweese]

Came up to the set with a dead coon in it! Looked like a coyote killed it!

[trappnman]

Ive had that happen 2x over the years. One time, a farmer told me- must have one, "bunch were making a lot of noise last night down there" and when I checked the set, it had a dead (big) coon, and coyote tracks all over- not really torn up (and the other wasnt either- torn, but not shredded like they do a fox) '

[Possum]

I've had a few "well-bitten" coons and coyotes. Coons were dead and in locations were tracks didn't show up well. I figure dogs and coyotes are equally guilty. I've only had one dead coyote and a few pretty well chewed up animals. On them, I'm guessing another coyote did the work.
As far as dead animals being eaten after being trapped, it's almost always a hawk or owl.

[trappnman]

or eagle or buzzard

had a dead coyote year ago from eagles

had another one I'm guessing hypothermia years ago- bad mange

[michaelweese]

This coon was as hard as a rock, dry, but looked wet on its back. Just figured it was a coyote that killed it. Wasn't ate on at all!

[Possum]

I've never flushed a buzzard off a dead trapped animal. Figure they aren't ripe enough. I have caught 2 buzzards in dirt hole sets. (I bait with well tainted meat.) With offset traps they are easy to release. I have flushed and caught redtails and Great Horned owls in remakes after the trapped animal was removed. Interesting releases! Don't worry about the beaks, it's the talons that will get you. Had a redtail with a deathgrip on the loose jaw of a #11 LS once. Bitch of a time getting it to let go. Wings flapping, beak snapping and trying to hold the trap open so when it released it was free.

[cowhorn]

Was 97 and 98 first had dead grey fox in traps,plenty of bite marks.I figured feral dog but was talking to Ron legget,he said coyotes.Told him coyotes were rare around these parts,but he was right.Still happens now with coyotes alot thicker these days.Buzzards are another story!

[Jarhead620]

Buzzards (Black and Turkey Vultures) don't wait for carcasses to taint, although they go for aged stuff too. They are on furbearer carcasses that I put out on the first day. Same with fresh road kills.

I had a trapped grey fox killed by a coyote last year. It left bite marks on the back over the ribs but it wasn't torn up. I lost several kit fox in NM to coyotes and several red fox in VA to dogs. They were badly torn up.

Larry

[Possum]

I only caught 2 reds this year. One was fine, the other one I salvaged the tail as a "wall trophy." Both were in coyote territory. Dumazzes! It's like me going to the city. 50-50 chance of surviving!