Coyotes ignoring my trap sets

[Gene R]

I started trapping the first of December in SC. Ive caught 5 yotes so far, but in the last week or so I'm finding their tracks less than 8 feet away from the traps and it looks like the baits and lures do not even get their attention. I'm trying a couple diffrent baits and lures but they still walk by.
 
Any suggestions?

[Bogmaster]

What lures and baits are you using?
 You may also think about putting in new sets.
 Tom

[RdFx]

Use flat sets or urine posts  a little ways from your present sets very carefully blended in material you are setting trap in.... should look as if nothing has been disturbed and old.... good luck

[hillbill]

maybe you got all the dumb ones? ive seen older yotes do things that almost speak of human intelligence. well actually smarter than some humans i know.its rare that a coyote will do sumpin twice that caused him pain, or he witnessed another coyote do that caused them pain.in that way they are diff than humans.

[Gene R]

The lures are: Cavens Canine force, Marsyada's Coyote lure supreme, Miranda's high plains predator call lure.
 
The baits are: Carmans sweetmeat predator bait, Carmans coyote pro mix scent, and on some traps just tainted chicken & chicken livers.
 
None of my traps have been tripped or dug up with out a catch. I have also caught 1 Bobcat, 5-6 coons, 5-6 Opossums, and a couple grey fox.
 
Also no 2 Coyotes were caught in the same trap, they are usally 1/2 mile or so apart.
 

[fishdaddy]

getting close to their time to be more interested in mateing than eating i would try some snares.

[Bogmaster]

 Gland lures should be the ticket.
 Tom

[RdFx]

  Keep us posted Gene.   If yotes dont respond after a week IF your using flat and urine post sets, let us know i have a set you can try.

[wormbobskey]

This time of year urine post sets and gland lure flat sets would be the way I'd go. Breeding season is going on and coyote pairs are setting up territories. Urine post set will trigger territorial reactions as will gland lures on well blend flat sets. This time of year is also good for calling using challenge howls and female howls.

[trappnman]

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwrc/publications/97pubs/97-32.pdf

[mcbammer]

Try  makeing   double    sets    .  Ive   had   good   luck   in  the  past   2  months   here  in   bama caught  6  male & 1  bitch.  I  have  even  set   3   traps   at    one   station. 

[Asa Lenon]

From about February 1st on one will get maximum response to scent post sets lured with a urine gland passions scent. For canines to pass such sets and scents they would have to ignore their very nature and instincts.

[trappnman]

Why do coyotes show interest in scent marks?
 
And who scent marks?
 
the study I posted, was an interesting one, showing who and why canines scent mark.
 
Transcients and pups, plus beta animals, don't scent mark.
 
While adding gland lure takes a set about pure scent marking, IMO its still a poor overall set, that yes works to a degree, but doesn't have universal
appeal or maximum attraction to coyotes.
 
Gene, you have been trapping the same area istsounds, for quite a spell. The coyotes that are there, are so used to your sets, lure smells, etc that they are simply ignoring them.
 
My advice, would be to pull those traps, and try for those same coyotes, at another location. sometimes thats al lit takes, just moving out of one area, into another.
 
If you must stay where you are, try a big hole set, with a big natural bait (gopher, rabbit, whatever make sure its legal in your area, w/o any lure or urine add- just a bait.)
 
and make your sets bold- dug up, dirt scattered around, a mess in other words. If small sets, they tend to become more wary of them. not that smal lsets don't or can't work, cause of course they do, but oyur goal is ot have the set appeal to as many animals as possible, and its hard to beat big "patterns" and holes.....trappnman

[RdFx]

   The big hole and mess sets do work well and use them when i get  yotes that i know are there but arent responding to other stimuli.   Another set ive used which works well that i  learned from Charlie Dobbins is just take a five gallon pail of dirt or manure ect and put in middle of a clearing or field with low grass.  The heap of dirt is a  draw to yote  just like a lone tree or big rock in open field.   I spread dirt or manure  around the big heap like three foot around and then just make small mouse hole  at base of heap  and set trap in front like dirt hole.   You can use whatever you want  for lure in hole .  I use mink or weasel gland lure.   You have curiosity and  a non canine gland lure working for you.  Its not a cure all set but works  as out of the ordinary for most trappers.    Good luck.

[trappnman]

yes, thats the type I was talking about- subtle is nice, but bold is better esp with "shy "coyotes. You would think the opposite, but overall, subtle sends up warning signals many times, but the more they can see, walk on, smell, the more defenses go down.
 
I've used that set Lee, and it works.
 
Have you ever, in cold weather when yo uthink they are inactive, just used a gopher mound?  Sadly, unless freezing, the little suckers dig through and plug the bait hole every time!
 
I even have them plug a bait hole occasionally when I'm set 3-4 feet away from the mounds.
 

[RdFx]

  No havent used the gopher hole as not many in my area.  The big badger or woodchuck holes work great though   Another set that works is a piece of  8 track or cassette tape  or even a strip of fur hanging from  a stick or high golden rod in middle of low cut hay field.   Gets the canines attention and brings them over .   A  big hole set or  flat  or urine post set close by spells  jingling chain!