How To Set A Coyote Trap

Coyotes are wary, cautious predators, which can make them very hard to catch. Using coyote calls is a great way bring the predators out of their hiding places, but catching them takes skill. Most will try to eliminate coyotes in an area using traps. However, trapping is difficult to do and success usually comes with tons of practice and patience. Here, we will go over the basic of how to set a coyote trap.

Why Setting the Coyote Trap Properly is Important? 
Many beginner trappers or just trappers in general can get frustrated when they check their traps to see that they’ve been triggered but haven’t caught anything. Most times this is because the trigger wasn’t set properly. Below, we’ll spend some time going over how to properly set a trap trigger and other important information about trapping coyotes. 

Choose Location Carefully 
First off, if you want to catch a coyote with a trap, you have to place the trap where coyotes are common. A coyote trap should never be placed deep in the woods or with a bunch of brush around. Instead, a trap should be placed in an open area near the edge of a field or something similar. 

A great way to find the best location for your trap is to place the trap where coyotes have been seen. To do this, look for coyote traps, they are very easy to recognize, and look for droppings too. It’s best to place a coyote trap right on droppings. 

Use the Right Coyote Trap 
Next, you’ll want to make sure you choose the right trap. Experienced trappers will often choose a #3 or #4 trap. It’s important to check your local hunting regulations to make sure you choose the right trap. No matter what type of trap you choose, it’s important to make sure it has 4 coil springs. 

Anchor Trap to the Ground 
No matter how great your trap is, it won’t do you any good if you forget to anchor it to the ground. What this means is you have to anchor the trap properly to the ground. Make sure the ground near the trap is tough enough to hold an anchor and make sure to pull on the anchor to ensure it stays in the ground. 

Dig Out Shallow Bed for Trap 
After you’ve gathered the trap, found the best location, and anchored the trap to the ground, it’s time to dig out a shallow bed for the trap to rest in. It’s important to dig out the proper bed for the trap, so that it will be flush with the ground. 

Remember, coyotes are clever and if they suspect something strange is going on, they will avoid the area. To prevent tipping off the local coyotes, it’s important to make sure the jaws of the trap are flush with the ground. 

Pack Dirt Around Trap 
Once the trap is set in the ground and in its perfect location, you need to use the loose dirt around the trap and pack it in tightly. You want to pack the dirt around the trap as tightly as possible. 

Use Wax Paper or Plastic Wrap to Cover the Trigger 
After the coyote trap has been placed in the ground, it’s important to make sure you handle setting the trigger carefully. First, use a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap to cover the trigger. Doing this will help it from being triggered simply by wind or small debris falling on it. 

Sift Dirt Over Coyote Trap 
Now, you’re almost ready to set the coyote trap and hope you catch a predator. To do this, sift dirt over the trap. It’s important to sift the dirt over the trap. If you drop dirt too fast or too hard, you could accidentally set off the trap’s trigger. 

Add Lure and Wait 
The last step to setting a coyote trap is to add a lure and just wait. There are many types of coyote lure on the market. It’s up to you, which one you choose. 

Check Coyote Traps Every 24 Hours 
After you’ve set the trigger, buried the trap, and added the lure, it times to just sit back and wait until it’s time to check the traps. Most state regulations will require trappers to check the traps every 24 hours.

If you’re extremely lucky, you’ll catch a coyote in your trap every time you set one. Unfortunately, even the most experienced coyote trappers end up empty handed more than they don’t. Diligence to the process, knowing where to place your traps, and faithfully checking the apparatus will allow you to gain the most success.

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Brandon Cox is the founder of StayHunting, who is passionate about all things of hunting and fitness. Through his hunting website, he would like to share tips & tricks, finest tech that will excite all of the intricacies of hunting whether you be an amateur or a professional.