Trapping ... Question and Advice

[JustYakin]

I dont have tons of trapping experience, but i have caught a few yotes and cats in the last couple of years. My question is, what am i doing wrong that makes an animal (not 100% sure of species) dig my trap up and drag it out of the way without even throwing it. It has happened twice this year already. Im more than sure its a coyote, but why and how do i fix it? I was thinking my pan tension wasnt set correctly, but it happened to both, duke#3 and MB550s.

Anyone else catching anything yet?

[yanta61]

scent control.... Whatever animal it is, is smelling the trap. might have got a little lure/bait on the trap. If it keeps happening bed another trap about 10" behind the one they keep digging up. Just have to watch your scent

[oktx]

They smell it. Need to wear rubber gloves and keep human scent off your gear.

[Anvilheadtexas]

Are you handling traps with same gloves as the bait? It sounds as if the traps are contaminated with something other than human scent. Some folks use leather gloves which are not the best. Use rubber gloves when handling waxed traps (assuming you are waxing) and do not handle anything else with the gloves.

[.243 WSSM]

If you want to be a better trapper, subscribe to Fur-Fish-Game. Great magazine for all
of the outdoor sports

[hornet527]

its scent control for sure , coyotes and foxes get the wrap for this but, COONS are the # 1 culprit. set a few dogproofs around nd get rid of them and see what happens

[Anvilheadtexas]

If you want to be a better trapper, subscribe to Fur-Fish-Game. Great magazine for all
of the outdoor sports

Agree. It leans a little towards our friends up north, but reading an article or two about ice fishing for perch and pike never hurts. I have been a subscriber for many many years! The trapping articles are very good including the monthly write-up on antique traps. Good stuff.

[tex4k]

Make sure your traps are bedded firmly, bed your trap the take a finger and push on the jaws and springs to be sure there's NO movement, the trap has to be solid.

[JustYakin]

Ok...all of this makes sense. I probably do need to focus on how solid my traps are as i was kinda rushing while setting them. I can easily see where i got the smell of the bait on the traps. I guess i need two pairs of gloves and spend a little more time on each set. My traps have been died and waxed. The first day was nothing but possums, this morning i had a bobcat so hopefully things while turn around. I mainly target coyotes so hopefully i will get them. Thanks for all the input and keep it coming. Its all useful info.