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how to trap a

Coyote is not difficult. By understanding a few biological traits you can learn to outwit and trap them successfully.

The coyote is a member of the ca- nine (dog) family. This intelligent Items needed to set a coyote trap is at home in rangeland, cropland, mixed woodlands, or even • One 5-gallon (19 ½ inch) plastic • Cloth (or plastic) feed sack to suburban areas. Coyotes stay in one bucket to carry equipment. kneel on while digging a trap bed and pounding the stake. area in spring and summer but may • One No. 3- or No. 4-sized trap roam in late summer, fall, and winter. per set (inside jaw spread should • Roll of plastic sandwich bags to Most coyotes are territorial but do be at least 5 inches). cover and prevent soil from get- not become dominant and establish a ting under the pan of the trap. • One 18- to 24-inch stake for the home territory. They are opportunists holding trap in place. • Screen sifter for sifting soil over that kill and eat whatever is easiest to the traps. obtain. • Straight claw hammer to dig a hole in the ground for trap • Brush or rib bone for leveling Coyotes follow regular paths and placement and to pound the the soil over the trap once it has crossings, establishing regular scent stake into the ground. been set in place and covered. posts to guide them. They inhabit high hills or knolls from which they • Leather gloves to protect fingers • Bottle of coyote urine to attract can view a wide area and disappear while digging the trap bed. the coyote to the set. (Keep urine by moving just a few yards. Coyotes away from other equipment.) depend on their ears, noses, and eyes to protect them and hunt with their damage are similar to those The first step in trapping coyotes is to noses into the prevailing wind. They used for fur trapping. A successful locate them. Coyotes regularly in- learn from unpleasant or frightening trapper will have a good understanding habit the same areas. A trapper should events and avoid them in the future. of coyote biology and behavior. learn to identify coyote droppings and notice the number of droppings along In Kansas, coyotes can be trapped roads and farm or ranch trails. Coyotes year-round for fur or sport, or to like to travel along the edges of pas- control livestock . Techniques tures or farm fields and often run on for trapping coyotes in response to

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service field terrace tops. Look for trails under Best places to set traps fences and tracks at road crossings. The person who lives on the land • saddles between high hills has the best chance of locating the Types of traps • high hills proper place to set the traps. This is Many traps are suitable for catching especially true if that person gets in • isolated land features coyotes. Both No. 3- and No. 4-sized the habit of watching for coyote signs • isolated bales of hay traps are good choices. Many trappers year-round. Coyotes travel where it is prefer the No. 3 coil spring, round- easy to walk, such as down old roads • trail junctions jawed offset trap with four coil springs or farm trails. They have favorite • pasture roads and welded, straight link machine places to travel, hunt, rest, howl, and • livestock trails chain. The length of the chain depends roam. Traps are usually set near some on whether the trap will be staked or obvious landscape feature – an area • waterways without any vegetation, large rock, equipped with a drag. A longer chain • dry or shallow creek beds should be used with a drag. Offset jaws tree stump or limb, or even a large are designed to reduce foot injury, but animal burrow. The following list • trails shows good places to set traps on not allow the coyote to wriggle out of • pond dams the trap. Coil-spring traps are great Kansas farms and ranches. Watch the for catching coyotes, but require more wind. Always make sets so that the • field corners prevailing wind (southwest in sum- upkeep than double long-spring traps. • eroded gullies mer, northwest in winter) carries the The type and size of trap may be regu- scent across the coyote’s path. Do not • animal carcasses lated in each state. Large body- grip- set traps directly in a trail. Set them • brush piles ping traps are dangerous and illegal in to one side at a place where coyotes some states. When pet dogs might be might stop, such as a hilltop, gate, or • stream crossings present, a padded-jaw trap should be where cover changes. Make the set on • under rim rocks used. Coyotes will not normally enter level ground so that the coyote walks cage or box traps, but some trappers across level ground to the set. Tracks • old cowhide or bone piles have used them successfully. indicate good locations. Set the trap • fence crossings so the coyote has clear visibility as it Although additional testing is needed, approaches the trap. Position the trap • salt or mineral feeders results of research to reduce injury in the scent dispersal cone at about a using padded-jaw traps have been The attractant can be anything a coy- 45-degree angle from the lure holder. ote or dog might urinate on. It should encouraging. In tests with No. 3 The coyote will approach the trap at Soft-Catch coil springs, No. 3 NM be obvious and differ from surround- an angle and is usually reluctant to ings. It can be a clump of grass about long springs, and No. 4 Newhouse approach over dry leaves, tall grass, or long springs, capture rates for coyotes 10 inches tall or a rock or old bone rough ground. Good locations tend to driven into the ground. Feathers and were 95 percent, 100 percent, and be near these landmarks. 100 percent, respectively. Soft-Catch old pieces of fur or cowhide also ap- traps caused the least visible injury to peal to coyotes. captured coyotes. Anchoring a trap Stakes for anchoring traps in open Other trap models and sizes suitable areas should be at least 20 inches long for catching coyotes can be found in Chain swivels are necessary for trap- and ½ inch in diameter, and made of the publications, “Best Management ping coyotes. One swivel at the stake, iron. A good trap stake can be made Practices for Trapping in the United one in the middle of the chain, and of rebar material with a washer welded States,” developed by the Association one at the trap are recommended. just below the upper end. The other of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. A sec- When staking the trap, a relatively end can be tapered to make it easier tion on traps suitable for both eastern short chain can be used. Extremely to drive into hard ground. The stake and western coyotes is available at short chains may allow the coyote to should be 20 to 28 inches long. The http://www.fishwildlife.org/. pull the stake out of the ground, but trap should be fastened to the stake they prevent stress from long runs as with a chain repair link or large S the coyote lunges to get away. hook, and the link should be welded shut. Do not use wire to attach the trap to the stake. In loose soil such as sand, cross-stake the traps using two in diameter than the trap when set. When set, the trap will not be vis- stakes fastened at the top and then Place the stake through the end link ible and will be still be about ½ inch attached to the trap chains. Earth of the trap chain and drive the stake below ground. Blend the bare soil with anchors, now widely available, can in the center of the trap bed until it is vegetation from the site to disguise be used but are more difficult to pull flush with the bottom of the bed the trap bed. Two traps per location out of the ground when done trap- (usually about 3 to 4 inches deep). increases the chance of making a catch, ping. Some trappers leave them in the but one trap at each attractor is suffi- ground for future use. Compress the springs of the trap and cient. You can also set another trap at a engage the trap dog to hold the trap different attractor using a different lure Drags instead of stakes can be used open. Make sure the trap pan is level within 20 to 30 feet of the first set. where brush and trees are abundant with the trap jaws. Use a plastic bag, or where the ground is too rocky to clean shop cloth, towel, or waxed paper Resetting traps and use a stake. Use a long chain (8 feet or as a pan cover to prevent soil from get- more) on a drag. ting under the trap pan. The pan must checking trap sets have room to move when the coyote Making the set steps on it. Some trappers use fiberfill Once a coyote is caught at a set, reset under the pan instead of a pan cover. the trap in the same place. The odor Coyotes are suspicious. Locate traps in and disturbance at the set where a level, open areas. Place the trap about Firmly pack the soil in and around the coyote has been caught often attracts 9 to 10 inches from the attractor and trap jaws. This is probably the most other coyotes. Rake the loose mate- about 2 inches to one side. If using important step in trapping coyotes. rial in the trap circle into two ridges two traps per set, the second trap will The trap must not wiggle or move about 10 inches apart and reset the be equal distance from the attractor when properly bedded. Use the soil trap between the ridges. Sometimes and about 10 inches from the other dug from the trap bed and drop it other coyotes will approach but not trap. through a sifter to keep small stones or enter the circle where the coyote was dirt clods from covering the trap. Use caught. If this is the case, move the After finding the proper location, dig a brush or stick to level the soil over trap set to just outside the circle. Leave or chop out a bowl-shaped trap bed the trap. The pan should have about all sets out for at least 2 weeks before with a claw hammer or digging tool. ¼ inch of soil over it. Leave a shallow moving traps to a new location. Check The bed should be just slightly larger depression directly over the trap pan. traps once every 24 hours, preferably

photo courtesy Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Procedures for setting a trap

Step 3. Step 1. Select the trap set location. Step 2. Place the stake through the Drive the stake until it is The middle of a trail road and the end link of the trap chain. flush with the bottom of the trap bed. presence of coyote droppings indicate a suitable location. Dig out the soil with tools and by hand.

Step 4. Using the heels of your hand Step 5. Hold the trap open with one Step 6. Move the trap pan to the begin compressing the springs of the hand while you engage the trap dog to proper notch making sure the pan is trap. hold the jaws open. level with the jaws.

Step 7. Some traps can be set Step 8. With other styles of traps, Step 9. Take out or add soil until the completely inside a plastic bag. Use a stretch the pan cover across the pan trap pan and jaws are about ½ inch thin plastic bag and test it with your and under the jaws. below the level of the surrounding particular trap. ground. Step 10. Firmly pack the soil around Step 11. Collect the soil from the Step 12. Use a brush, stick or rib the trap jaws and inside the trap bed. trap bed and place it in a sifter to re- bone to level soil over the trap. Make move the clods and rocks. Vigorously sure the finished set is still below the shake the sifter until the trap is cov- level of the surrounding soil. ered with about ¼ inch of sifted soil.

Step 13. Blend the bare soil with Step 14. Place about 10 to 15 drops Step 15. Collect the soil you dug vegetation to disguise the trap set. of coyote urine on old coyote drop- from the trap bed and dispose of it pings or grass clumps that are about 8 away from the trap site. to 10 inches behind the center of the trap pan.

One of the most difficult aspects of using traps is trapping when the ground is frozen, muddy, wet, or damp. If the weather is expected to turn cold or wet, set and cover the traps in one or a combination of the following materials: Canadian sphagnum peat moss, very dry soil, dry manure, buckwheat hulls, waxed dirt, or finely chopped hay. A mixture of one part table salt or calcium chloride with three parts dry soil will prevent the soil from freezing over the trap. When using peat moss or other dry, fluffy mate- rial, cover the material with a thin layer of dry soil mixed with 1 teaspoon of table salt. This will blend the set with the surrounding soil and prevent the wind from blow- Finished. Completed set should be blended into sur- ing peat moss away from the trap. As an alternative, traps roundings so it is difficult to see, or the set can be left could be set in a bed of dry soil placed over the snow or obvious to attract the coyote’s attention. frozen ground. around 9 or 10 a.m. Reapply the scent in areas where humans are not com- trap. Coyotes tend to avoid obstacles every four days, using 8 to 10 drops of monly present, where wet weather and place their feet in bare areas. Do coyote urine and/or a good lure. conditions are common, and where not use this method to the extent that coyotes have been trapped for several the set looks unnatural. Do not worry Human scent and years and have learned to avoid traps. if the coyote visits the set and does not coyote trapping step on the trap pan; the coyote will Lures and scents return. Minimize human scent around trap Coyotes are interested in and may Care of coyote traps sets. If traps are being set in warm be attracted to many odors in their months, make sure the trapper has environment. Commercially available New traps can be used to trap coyotes, bathed recently, has clean clothes, and lures and scents or natural odors such but dyed and waxed traps work better. is not sweating excessively. Leave no as fresh coyote, dog, or cat droppings When new traps are used, rusting unnecessary foreign odors, such as or urine may produce good results. soon occurs. Light rusting does not dripping sweat, cigarette butts or gum Coyote urine and food baits work harm the traps, but after continued use wrappers, near the set. Wear clean well and sex gland lures can be added rust often slows trap action and may gloves and rubber footwear while during the reproductive season ( Janu- weaken coil springs, causing a coyote setting traps. A landowner may have ary to March). Multiple scents at each to be missed. Traps may also become an advantage over a stranger who location will cause a coyote to spend contaminated with skunk, gasoline, comes to set traps because the coyotes more time at the set, which increases oil, blood, and other odors. For con- are acquainted with the landowner’s the opportunity for a catch. tinued success in catching coyotes, scent and expect him/her to be there. they should be kept clean and in good Coyotes have been known to leave an Guiding coyote working condition. Some maintenance area after encountering an unfamiliar tips follow. human scent. footsteps Traps that have been used and are Because of human scent, coyotes are In a plowed field or other area where rusted should be cleaned with a wire more difficult to catch with traps in there are dirt clods, sticks, small rocks, brush. Check traps to make sure the wet or humid weather. Wear gloves, or stickers, place these around the trigger and pan are working freely. wax traps, and take other precautions covered trap set to guide coyotes to the Check chains for open links. Make

photo courtesy Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Problems in Trapping Coyotes

Some experience is required to ef- be used to keep traps working under below and covering the trap is easy but fectively trap coyotes. Trapping by such conditions. Dry soil should be will shorten the lifespan of the traps. inexperienced or untrained people may collected in advance and stored under serve to educate coyotes, making them cover. Dry soil can be collected from If a coyote digs up or springs a trap difficult to catch, even by experienced gopher mounds, plowed fields, dry cliff without getting caught, reset the trap trappers. Coyotes exhibit individual- banks, or ditches. Some trappers bed in the same place. Then carefully set ized behavior patterns. Many, but traps with a mixture of salt, peat moss one or two traps near the first set. Use not all, coyotes become trap-shy after and soil, ground hay, or even dried cow gloves and be careful to the traps. being caught and then escaping from a manure to prevent them from freezing. The coyote, intent on digging up the trap. One coyote was reported to have The use of waxed soil is recommended first trap again, will step in the second, been caught eight times in the same during the freezing and thawing times better hidden, trap. Changing scents set. Some coyotes require considerably of the year because waxed soil will not or using tricks, such as placing a lone more time and thought to trap than absorb water and thus will not freeze. feather near a set as a visual attraction others. With unlimited time, it would Adding about 2 to 3 cups of flaked or a ticking clock in a dirt hole set as be possible to trap almost any coyote. wax to finely sifted dry soil and heat- an audible attraction, may help catch ing and stirring until the wax coats all wary coyotes. Natural baits such as Adverse weather, heavy rain, deep the soil particles takes time to prepare, field mice, , or pocket gophers snow, and freezing and thawing can but works well. Mixing about 1 cup of are good baits. A dead fish hung in a cause significant problems for coyote table salt or livestock salt to the soil bush about 4 feet off the ground is also trappers. Numerous techniques can a good coyote attraction.

sure the swivels are working. File the completely submerge the trap. Leave coyotes to a particular location. For triggers and receivers to eliminate the trap in the wax long enough to example, the straw and cleanings from rounded edges. Make adjustments so bring it to the same temperature as the a chicken house can be placed in an the pan is level and the trap will per- wax. Lift to remove and hang it in a area where coyote tracks are found. form perfectly. clean area to dry. Traps can then be set around the edges of the straw. Areas around carcasses Put traps in a clean container out in Killing a trapped or parts of animals, such as a cow’s the open, adding more than enough head, are good places to set traps. Wire clean water to cover them. Obtain coyote the carcass to a stake driven into the some walnut bark, sumac, or walnut ground and out of sight. Once coyotes hulls. Sumac heads and cedar leaves A coyote will make its most desper- start feeding, set traps 30 to 60 feet have a natural wax that acts as a rust ate attempt to escape from the trap as upwind from the carcasses or draw inhibitor. Wood chips or crystals for a human approaches. As soon as you station. Never set traps close to car- dyeing traps are available from trap- are within a few feet of the coyote, casses because nontarget animals such ping supply outlets. check to see that the trap has a firm as vultures, eagles, hawks, skunks, and hold on the coyote’s foot. If so, shoot opossums may be caught. The excep- Add the material to the water. Cover the coyote in the chest or head with a tion is if you are a livestock producer the traps with water, but do not let .22 caliber firearm. It is often a good and know that coyotes will return to them sit on the bottom of the contain- idea to reset the trap in the same place. the freshly killed livestock you find on er close to the fire. Bring the solution The blood from the coyote will not a particular evening. Then set a trap to a boiling point and immediately necessarily harm the set as long as it is next to the carcass. Wire the carcass to temper down. Let the traps simmer for not on the trap or on the soil over the another stake driven out of sight into one hour. Any scum that forms on the reset traps. Reset the trap regardless the ground. Then set another trap 20 top of the solution when simmering of the animal species captured, skunks to 60 feet upwind. Do not scent the should be skimmed off. When ready, included. carcass set. If graze in an area the traps should be lifted out of the where traps are set, cover the traps dyeing solution with an iron hook. Draw stations with a disc blade or brush during the Waxing coyote traps helps protect day and uncover them at night when Draw stations are natural areas or sheep are penned. them from additional rusting. Heat places set up intentionally to draw trap wax in a container large enough to Dirt hole set

Another way to set a coyote trap is to find a burrow dug by an animal or dig a hole to look like a burrow, and set traps in front of this burrow. Some trappers dig a burrow and bait it with meat-based bait. Then, when coyotes are known to visit this place and take the bait, traps are set. Coyotes have a tendency to investigate all newly dug burrows. The angles of the burrow and diameter of the opening influ- ence where you should place the traps. Coyotes tend to look where they smell. If the opening is straight up and down (like a post hole), then set one trap close to the opening, within 4 inches, and set the other trap back as pan have been used for many years to of time that an animal must remain far as the chain will reach, at least 36 reduce captures of nontarget species. in a trap. Keep in mind that trapping inches away, preferably where the soil Many coyote traps have an adjustable practices are under scrutiny and trap- from the burrow trails out. The open- pan tension screw. One study evalu- pers’ actions will help determine the ing does not have to be large – 2 to ated two pan tension devices. Prelimi- future of this activity. 3 inches is large enough. Bait should nary results indicated that the use of be buried under a thin layer of grass at either device could exclude nearly Summary the bottom of the burrow. The burrow 90 percent of the gray foxes, swift should be dug at a place where there foxes, striped skunks, opossums, and The method described is not the only is a backdrop such as a bush or a bank. jackrabbits that stepped on traps, as way to set a coyote trap. Many trappers This will cause the coyote to approach compared with 24 percent on average use other techniques that are equally the burrow from the side on which for unequipped traps. A variety of oth- as effective. This may not be the best traps are set. er species were excluded at even higher technique but it has worked well for rates. Some coyotes were also excluded, other trappers. The key is to set traps Opposition to traps but because more traps remained func- near areas that coyotes visit frequently. tional, the net result appeared to be an Use urine and food or curiosity lures Opposition to foothold traps is based increase in coyote trapping efficiency. to get the coyote to approach the at- on two main objections: (1) a lack of tractor by stepping over the trap. Make selectivity for the animal being trapped Advances in trap design, including sure the trap is bedded solid and keep (2) foot injury sustained by the cap- offset jaws and padded-jaw traps, have traps working regardless of weather tured animal. Trap pan tension devices increased the humaneness of foothold conditions. such as sticks, forked twigs, springs, traps. Traps should be checked once or and sponges placed under the trap twice each day to minimize the length

Revised by Charles Lee, wildlife specialist, and Michelle Moses, research assistant, Department of Animal Sciences and Industry Original author F. Robert Henderson, wildlife specialist, retired

Publications from Kansas State University are available at: www.ksre.ksu.edu Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in Publications are reviewed or revised annually by appropriate faculty to reflect current research and furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, as amended. Kansas practice. Date shown is that of publication or last revision. Contents of this publication may be State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and United States Department of freely reproduced for educational purposes. All other rights reserved. In each case, credit the authors, Agriculture Cooperating, John Floros, Director. C660 December 2012 How to Trap a Coyote, Kansas State University, December 2012.