Set a few traps this afternoon.

[npaden]

Set a few traps today around the house. Hopefully I'll catch something other than the two stray dogs we've been seeing around the house chasing deer the last couple weeks. I got several pictures of coyotes when I had the trail cameras out and I've seen a bobcat and both red and gray foxes around so there should be a decent chance.

Here's a scent post set that I set. Sprayed coyote urine on the post.

This ended up being everything but the kitchen sink set. I sprayed some coyote urine on the post in the background and made a dirt hole set in front of it. Stuffed a dead dove in the hole and put a dab of canine force lure in the hole too.

Last set is near a pretty good path on a canyon rim. Big pile of rocks and brush around this spot. It looks so good, but I've never caught anything here. Set this more for a cat or fox than for a coyote. Used a dove in the hole and some cat call lure. I hung some dove wings in the branches after I took this picture.

I'll keep these out a couple weeks and see if I get lucky. I'm not the best trapper but it's fun to check the traps in the morning anyway.

 

[JCS]

Got a few sets myself. It is fun to check them.

 

[npaden]

Well something was at the 3rd set last night. The dove carcasses (heads, guts, feathers) were all eaten and the trap was sprung. I didn't have it bedded really well and it looks like I educated something anyway. The dove carcass was still in the hole with the lure so I reset it and maybe something else that isn't as smart will happen along.

The other 2 sets weren't touched.

 

[buck23]

Me too runnin a small line.I have had luck using chicken feathers and even buried chicken parts.Cant use doves here but chicken feathers work good for cats and sometimes yote too.Your sets look good, I really like that dry dirt!

 

[npaden]

Same trap was sprung again this morning. Can't decide if I'm going to try to set around it to see if I can catch the digger or just leave it. I think my coffee filters that I'm using to cover the pan may smell like lure because I've kept them in the same bucket for the last couple years so it is smelling the filter and digging it.

Nothing has touched the other two.

 

[Bwana]

Reset the trap again as you have been and then sneak in another trap or two to either side using crumpled up wax paper as your pan cover.

 

[buck23]

Good advice Bwana,I would do just that.Can u tell what animal is digging?Coon do that alot,aggravates me.

 

[npaden]

Not sure what is digging but pretty sure it's canine. I set another trap with it tonight so we'll see in the morning.

 

[npaden]

Nothing this morning, not even a sprung trap. Did see a few deer this morning including a pretty nice buck though.

 

[elkantlers]

With dirt holes make sure the animal can't see down until it is right on top of it. Set your trap about 8" back and just offset of the hole. I use plastic sandwhich baggies for my pan covers. just put a slit in the top for the dog about 2" long. Also, make sure the trap is bedded real well. i dig a spot for the trap just bigenough for thr trap. place the pan cover and sift some dirt over the top. I then compress the dirt around the trap with my hand and sift some more dirt. I level with a small wisk broom and then sift a little more to blend every thing in. I re scent once a week and check them from a distance. I don't like to walk up to them unless I have to.

 

[mixedbag]

I agree with the last post if you want some yotes.Fix you dirt pattern to totally natural and place SMALL stones ,droppings as guides.Make the best place to step the pan.You should also have at least 1 1/2 lbs of pressure for your traps to go off.bedding traps so there's no movement or loose dirt is key.Canines love fresh loose dirt.My favorite set is a double mouse size hole dug deep;lure one bait the other;trap goes 7-8" back and in between two holes.I do the same with scent posts,but no holes.I will put 2 different gland/urine smells as opposites sides of a rock,and bedd trap out 7-8" in between 2 smells.Make sure you guide them and show them where to step!!!Think of yourself sneaking on some deer,your not going to walk thru leaves or brush if theres a nice dirt spot to walk on
For cats, I'd make a big flashy set as they aren't smart.You can guide them with bigger sticks completely around your trap;block them in.They will def. come from behind if you give them that chance.they are stealth hunters.Give them one in and out,and block the heck out of everything else.You'll get the greys this way too
Have fun

 

[npaden]

Thanks for the tips guys.

Nothing this morning. I relured the holes and resprayed the post. Maybe this weekend.

 

[Bwana]

Hey npaden, how about an update on the trapline, inquiring minds need to know.

 

[npaden]

Ended up pulling them with nothing caught.

Last day I had them out I got 2 more tripped with nothing in them so decided I'm going to have to boil the traps down and be a lot more careful on scent the next time I set them.

I think the biggest issue was keeping everything together in a big tote that included my lures. Everything in the tote smells like lure now!

 

[mixedbag]

Yeah, thats a big NO-NO in canine trapping.At least you learned something from them.I'm sure next year they won't be so lucky

 

[Bwana]

Sounds like you found the problem. Better luck next time.