Neophobic behavior? Observation

[Scott W.]

I have been reading the two other hot coyote threads with great interest and anticipation. So much so, that when the wife and I came across a couple of road kill deer, we threw them in the truck to create a bait station in the middle of our CRP. She mowed a patch about 20ft in diameter and 4 trails leading into the tall grass, each 150ft long. I'm thinking I'll get lucky and create a point of interest that MIGHT bring something in to snare or trap this fall. Today is day two and we went out to look for any activity other than buzzards. The carcasses were drug 30 yds out into the tall grass and 1/2 devoured. They did not use the mowed trails to move the bait, but they made a pretty good trail of their own. I'm pretty excited about this, because I was not even sure we had coyotes this close to home. THe reason I assumed this is that I have not heard any howling for a couple of years. This brings up many questions in my untrained (in coyotology) mind. Was the bait too good to refuse and they just couldn't help themselves? Am I on the edge of a defended territory, or in the middle? At this rate of consumption can I keep up collecting roadkill? Does it matter? Should I maintain some sort of a presence in the close area even if I can't continue baiting just to keep them used to me vs. staying away and introducing "fresh scent" (mine) when I set up my gear? I feel like I'm asking questions a 10 yr old would be proud of, but I guess that is where I'm at and where my thought have been prompted to go via the other two threads.

[trappnman]

some good questions for sure, and I wish I had the answers

I've seen carcasses moved many times before, and find both to occur- I think a lot of its circumstantial depending on the cover- I find them moved just about the same whether into just the same open ground, or just as often into little patches of woods, weeds.

I know they become acclamated to your scent- they have no trouble taking gophers from me on a daily basis in traps and sets reeking of my scent- in that case, the bait is I guess to good to refuse.

that brings up an observation I've had- and that in gopher fields, with their reason being there to hunt, presentation has little to do with them working the set, and the only visual is either a metal trap sticking out of the ground, or/and a stake next to it. Lori calls it "gopher on a stick"

would be interesting to make a portion of each trai lbare geround for a patch, to see if the coyotes are coming in on the trials- one could suppose the new trails would be oft setting, but they start using tall grass waterways the next day

as far as where in their range you are at, I wouldnt have a clue.

[primitiveman]

Steve W,

These critters are closer than you think...keep observing and watching for tendencies in their behavior. Coyotes are opportunistic so don't ever assume they will not be in an area or react to a draw just because you haven't seen or heard them before.

Glad to hear the obsession in your post.