Targeting Adults

[Deleted]

I've said that I trap the woods/brush, deer hunting acreage, etc. and I do it for two reasons. First and foremost is once the fields are plowed (there are no diary farms) the prey is concentrated in wooded cover which is where the coyotes are and actually have been all year and that is a fact in my area. Secondly, I absolutely enjoy trapping in the woods. So the coyotes are where they are and they are where I enjoy being. It is a matter of adapting within the realm of accessibility.

To address Steve's comment that "one spot will be better than another to set traps" is certainly correct. How else would I use the term "glean" if it wasn't?  This also goes along with Steve's 1st comment I quoted because that is what circumstances beyond your/my controll dictate for us to do in order to catch coyote in less than "THE SPOT" locations!  Steve moves on and I don't taking/gleaning what is available of those coyote using that location because The SPOT may be 1 or 2 properties over that are unavailable to you so you use what you have to work with.  Unless someone thinks every 40 acres has the SPOT we search for because there's a coyote track and if so, I totally disagree but there will be be "one spot will be better than another (on that 40) to set traps"!

[Deleted]

Maybe the best way is to use a photo of an actual example. Last year I got permission to trap this property, a small farm surrounded by a large tract of wooded country. I found "THE SPOT"(the circled) on that property. When season came I lost access to "THE SPOT" because of the wet conditions of the farmer not wanting me to tear-up his lane which is understandable. I was able to get permission as is noted by the "Y's" and couldn't get permission from the other property owners noted by the "N's". The was no "THE SPOT" (stall-out) on the property that was available to me, yet, some coyote crossed/used it.  I also knew from the sign and the direction of travel at "the 'SPOT" I only had access to a % of the coyote that used the "SPOT".  This small example should also help folks understand property accessibility/availability of the property owner AND SECOND or THIRD BEST!!

[primitiveman]

I would seek out other properties rather than set marginal locations waiting for a coyote to happen by or attempt to pull coyotes from a better property. In my area the coyote density is very high so I just keep moving and do not worry about properties I cannot trap. I guess if you are that limited on access and don't mind leaving steel in the ground checking empty traps, I'm sure you'll get a few here and there. I used to do that same thing. Now that I've drank the KoolAid and started to become more mobile, I've seen my catch numbers double. For me, my time is too valuable.

[trappnman]

I understand what you are saying never- for sure I do. its exactly what I mean by saying sometimes I guess right (in finding secondary spots) and sometimes wrong.

I've often thought one of the hardest places around to catch coyotes in numbers, is areas like the north woods of MN, WI, and the UP type terrain. nothing to concentrate, no density in populations, but a spread out population

a long check on snares, but not legal in those places- me, I'd concentrate on other things and trap coyotes as Mike does, for pure fun and I'd concentrate on maximizing what I had to work with.

Its tuff not having cows. almost every location I have is on a farm that has cows, the more the better. And if no cows, then cows next door, or pigs.

predation on calves here is non existent with very rare exceptions. and I've seen it multiple times, coyotes in the pastures during calving, and its again very rare for coyotes to kill a new born calf- they are there for the afterbirth, and for the grain gleanings in manure- plus I believe that attractions to cows (the sounds. the smells) is at the very least somewhat of an innate character- coyotes and cows (and gophers) just seem to go together

never- clear up a few things if you will so I can picture it better-

in the circle, what is the white rectangle?

in the upper left- the long white row? bales? and the cigar shaped dark object to the right

on the right of pic by the Y, long drive and bunch of buildings- what are those, and what is dark spot?

[Deleted]

I've often thought one of the hardest places around to catch coyotes in numbers, is areas like the north woods of MN, WI, and the UP type terrain. nothing to concentrate, no density in populations, but a spread out population

a long check on snares, but not legal in those places- me, I'd concentrate on other things and trap coyotes as Mike does, for pure fun and I'd concentrate on maximizing what I had to work with.

Yes but in my area the density does increase because of the prey base changing toward deer.  The population than becomes a little more static/ consistent toward favored ridges (travel ways) and favored swamps to hunt.  The principle isn't much removed from fence rows, crop edges, ditches/water ways.

Yes, absolutely to your 2nd comment.

never- clear up a few things if you will so I can picture it better-

in the circle, what is the white rectangle?

That is "THE SPOT" due to that location being the end of a sandy, several year old slashed ridge extending from the left(west) and by about 4' higher than the surrounding area..  The white rectangle is a spot of bare sand AND where the chipper sat and loading occurred

in the upper left- the long white row? bales? and the cigar shaped dark object to the right

That was what looked to me to be a trial planting of some sort of thin and very sparse switch grass.  BTW, this was very, very poor ground.  The dark shape was a single row of pines that must have been an attempt at a shelter belt but sheltering what I couldn't figure.  Off the right end of that odd colored patch of grass is where I caught the coyotes and bobcat though I could find no sign on the property I had to go by the sign I saw as they crossed the road along the fence line to the south.

on the right of pic by the Y, long drive and bunch of buildings- what are those, and what is dark spot?

If it's what I'm thinking you're looking at is a drain that cuts through the properties and swings south into the State lands.  Notice the "N" though! I'd figured if I could've got permission on either of the properties bordering the ditch, I would have had a better opportunity to catch the coyotes using the stall-out instead of the smaller % that were swinging north from it.

The building in the upper right are residents on 20's.  The black spots are dug ponds(everybody needs a pond here).  BUT if you're talking about the rectangle shaped and not black colored area just to the left of the houses, that is a stand of relatively short(10'-12') planted pines.  I believed  the coyotes were running and hunting the drain banks and hunted the pine stand before and after swinging west and hitting the  stall-out to the west.  Also notice the "N"!

Sorry about the quotes but I'm having fits trying to use the quote tool.  Maybe it's in some kind of conflict with my Ipad.

[Deleted]

Where the "white rectangle" you mentioned is seen is from an older map that allows me to draw easily. As I said, the grass difference was noticable but very sparse. What was important to me, since all sign stopped at the road, was this little willow swale and you'd instantly understand the relavance of it.  This may appear to be a stall-out but it's not.  It is an example of what you spoke of previously when a location is thought to be the "spot" but you only pick up a couple rather than 6-8 at the "Spot" 1/2 mile south!

[jdpaint]

What if you filled it with road killed deer, what ever you could drum up,, then it would be a dang good spot.Make it.What type of draw are you competing with a half mile away?

[jdpaint]

Can you draw the approaches you believe they are using to make it the spot in the first photo?

[Deleted]

Jul 1, 2014 14:12:38 GMT -6 jdpaint said:

What if you filled it with road killed deer, what ever you could drum up,, then it would be a dang good spot.Make it.What type of draw are you competing with a half mile away?

Ya know JD I've listened to 1080 plenty "bait'em-up" and I sincerely believe him and his methods as well as his vast experience.  So a few years ago I found a supply of deer heads and proceeded to speak with my property owners about "bait'em-up" .  NO-NO-NO!!  Not a single property owner would allow me to make bait stations on their properties!!!!!  Don't be bring any more of those bas-ards on my property than I already have!!!  It is what it is!

[Deleted]

Jul 1, 2014 14:19:19 GMT -6 jdpaint said:

Can you draw the approaches you believe they are using to make it the spot in the first photo?

I sure can.
What you're seeing is double arrows and single directional arrows.  The double arrows signify travel in both directions and of course the single is in only one direction.

Someone will ask, how do you know that?  I know that because I have the time to scout and read sign quite well on every property or areaI intend to trap.  If you notice the ditch and the property immediately south of it where there is an "N".  Before it became an "N" it was a "Y".  As I started scouting the property the farmer had two dogs that looked like those doga who herd sheep.  There were year old sisters and very friendly except for one.  I think she fell in love with me.  Wherever I went she was right there with me whereas the sister stayed by the house.  

This ground is pretty poor and light so I could read sign in untilled soil but it was the dog who showed me the ropes along that ditch or should I say verified my sign reading.  She was a joy tom be with and looked forward to seeing her whenever I scouted the farm.  Well, as things would happen, the farmer say the connection between us and decided she'd get caught so herescinded the  permission!  This also stopped me from trapping the "Y" property close to the road because she'd spy my truck and she'd be right beside me.  I've had some very loving and loyal beagles but never a dog like her.  I have to say I really miss seeing her!

That field to the upper left and on the south side of the road was a winter wheat field which made sign obvious and it showed singles traveling in only the one direction.

[trappnman]

I was told something once, that stuck with me- and that was this:

If a landowner tells you can't trap coyotes, you might as move on anyway, because that means COYOTES ARE NOT A PROBLEM FOR HIM

I guess I'm lucky- I get turned down for very few permissions- and the reasons are 1) a few farms have another trapper 2) a few of the farmers "hunt" coyotes

Otherwise, the stock answer is- can you start today?

not only do the farmers not care if I bait, including leaving carcasses, but several of them put calves where I want them, and a couple have offered to take dead cows from 1 farm to another for me.

My farmers just do not like coyotes- no real reason- well, chickens etc are easy pickings, but other than that its more they see & hear them and just don't want them around.

[trappnman]

out of curiosity, how far away from you are there dairys/beef?

[Deleted]

Jul 1, 2014 15:45:46 GMT -6 trappnman said:

out of curiosity, how far away from you are there dairys/beef?

These 3 properties(farms) are the only ones  for I don't know how many miles that have feeders.  The nearest dairy is 20+ miles away and it's all by itself.  The video of that double I first posted was on that diary farm and on "THE SPOT" .
 of the 3 properties with feeders 1 has about 30, another with the "SPOT" about 15, and the one south of the ditch and on the right hand side of the photo has maybe 10-12.

[Deleted]

Jul 1, 2014 15:44:38 GMT -6 trappnman said:

I was told something once, that stuck with me- and that was this:

If a landowner tells you can't trap coyotes, you might as move on anyway, because that means COYOTES ARE NOT A PROBLEM FOR HIM

I guess I'm lucky- I get turned down for very few permissions- and the reasons are 1) a few farms have another trapper 2) a few of the farmers "hunt" coyotes

Otherwise, the stock answer is- can you start today?

not only do the farmers not care if I bait, including leaving carcasses, but several of them put calves where I want them, and a couple have offered to take dead cows from 1 farm to another for me.

My farmers just do not like coyotes- no real reason- well, chickens etc are easy pickings, but other than that its more they see & hear them and just don't want them around.

Property owners whether they're farmers or owners of wooded tracts only appear to be concerned with the coyote killing small game and the biggest deal is the coyote killing " THEIR" deer.  That in it's self blows away the tiny concern of livestock predation concerns here, possibly due to the lack of livestock comparatively speaking and that includes the horsey people as well.  I've had several of the property owners within a few miles of where the location my map depicts call me on their cell phone and have me listen to coyote howling from 3 different directions as well.  ALL howling from the timber or immediately adjacent to it.

[jdpaint]

Any fox there? TC

Never - I wasnt thinking of him.I dont know him or his methods ,so I dont know what or how he used baits. I started out with a charlie dobbins book and grease holes for baiting or prebaiting. Now with knowledge from a couple other trappers i use woodchuck to get them to mark or own the area.Doesnt seem to be more than 1 group though just easier to set in one place .With no large attractions yet and limited time I do what i can.I do alot of map work though.

[trappincoyotes39]

JD paint very few in those areas, further west a few fox .

[trappnman]

the point is the same never- if the coyotes are doing so much killing of small game, and "their" deer- why aren't the property owners and the deer hunters, welcoming you with open arms?

here- they almost beg me to trap- I bet every deer hunter that owns 40 acres here- tells me to come out and trap

never- to be sure we are on the same page- reading your post on the dairies near you, you are seeing what I'm seeing that you now have a singular attraction, and you aren't debating the merits of "the Spot" approach WHERE YOU HAVE SUCH

Would that be correct?

[Deleted]

Jul 2, 2014 8:59:53 GMT -6 trappnman said:

the point is the same never- if the coyotes are doing so much killing of small game, and "their" deer- why aren't the property owners and the deer hunters, welcoming you with open arms?

here- they almost beg me to trap- I bet every deer hunter that owns 40 acres here- tells me to come out and trap

never- to be sure we are on the same page- reading your post on the dairies near you, you are seeing what I'm seeing that you now have a singular attraction, and you aren't debating the merits of "the Spot" approach WHERE YOU HAVE SUCH

Would that be correct?

Absolutely correct!  
As in the truck video facing east, that is and has always been "THE SPOT" on that diary farm.  Again, this is the only real/serious diary farm for God knows and it's surrounded by timber/big tracts of wild ground.  The "SPOT" is on a protruding corner of which the corner is a ridge top that extends from the woods out into a field.  The ridge tapers to level in about 400yds out into the field.

Here's a view looking north with the 5th of 7 I caught at the "SPOT" during a 10-day period that year


Again facing easterly is the protruding point of the "SPOT".  To the right of the point is about 1/2 acre of brush and a sand pit then the woods.


The dairy farm SPOT-

[Deleted]

Here's a different twist to "THE SPOT". Nothing more distinctive than a 20yd pile of dirt that had been scraped up surrounded by flat, some open(from the scraping) and thick grasses and tall weeds. 9 coyote in 8 nights.
Here's one view of the "SPOT"-


Here's another view that shows I was about 100yds outside the City Limits.-

So no TC, I know you like to help but I'm not entirely unenlightened to where and why coyotes are where they are.

[trappnman]

look similar?

click it


7-8 coyotes in 6 days each year for 3 years