So you want to trap foxes and/or coyotes huh? OK
then, the first thing you'll need to do is find foxes and coyotes. You'll need
to go do some scouting in the areas that you plan to trap.
Look along the edges of grain fields and hedgerows for tracks(red fox track in
diagram to right) and droppings. Look along fencerows for spots where animals
have been crawling under the fence. Also look for tufts of hair caught in the
fence itself. If trapping coyotes, go to the area at dawn and dusk and listen
for howling.
Look for trails in areas of long grass and weeds. Look on cattle paths (if in
a pasture) for tracks (coyote track in diagram to left) and droppings.
Also talk to the farmer or rancher who owns the land, he's been there longer
than you have, he's ther most every day and knows every nook and cranny of the
land. They also tend to notice foxes and coyotes and may give you tips on good
crossing and feeding areas.
You're going to need a few things to make canine sets. A semi-heavy hammer, a
digging trowel, a pair of rubber gloves, stakes, traps and a sifter. You'll
also need an assortment of lures and bait as well as canine urine.
Once you've determined where the canines are you'll need to go set for them.
I'll do a run down of the 3 basic sets for canines. The dirthole set, the flat
set and the post set. All other sets are just variations of one or more of
these sets. You will also have to pay attention to the wind to make sure it
will carry the scent of the lur or bait across the animals path.
Ok, we'll do the basic set now. All sets start as flat sets, then develop into
whatever they are to become.
1. Take your trap and using a knife or even the blade of your trapping trowel
scrape the wax off the pan notch and the trap tigger(dog). Make sure to clean
this area well, because a wax on wax connection isn't stable.
2.Now take your trowel, or if you have a hammer with a blade on it, and chop
out a bed for your trap. This bed shouldn't be much larger than the trap itself.
Dig the deep so that the trap will sit about 3/8" below the ground level.
3.Now set your trap and place a screen over it or a pan plug under the pan
(to prevent soil from clogging the pan) and stake it firmly, chop up the bottom
of the trap bed, till the soil there is nice and loose.
4. Now place your trap so the pan is 4-6 inches away from your attractant for
fox, or 8-10 inches for coyote. Then bed your trap firmly, twisting it into the
soil, so that pressure on any part of the trap will not make it rock(this can
be tricky if your new at this).
5. Once the trap is firmly bedded, you can either sift the soil you removed
while making the bed back over the trap, or use imported dry dirt. I use dry
dirt as it is quicker and easier. Cover the trap with just enough soil to
conceal it (to much will make it fire slow).
6. Now your ready to make it a post, flat or dirthole type set.
For a DIRTHOLE set, dig a hole about 1 1/2" in diameter and 6-8 inches deep
if you can. If not take a stake pound it in 6-8 inches and twist it around.
You'll get a small diameter but deep hole. Now take your lure and/or bait and
place it in the hole. A slight angle to the hole makes it even more effective.
Also stuffing some grass in the hole makes the animal work harder to get to
the bait/lure.I sometimes add a few feathers or a bit of rabbit fur or 1/2 a
squirrel tail to really add appeal.
For a POST set, place an object, be it a rock, stick, hunk of sod, or even a
cowpie behind the trap. Put some urine and gland lure on the front of the
object toward the trap. DO NOT USE A FOOD LURE AS FOXES/COYOTES WILL TAKE YOU
BACKING AWAY IF IT IS TO LIGHT.
For a FLAT set, place an object behind the trap for backing. Pour your lure on
the front of the object or make a stake hole at the base of your object, and
pour the lure there. Flat sets are usually blended in with the surrounding area.
To accomplish this use nearby ground duff and litter to blend the trap in. If
your in long grass, use Charlie Dobbins trick and cut or rip the grass into
small pieces.
