How to Build Coyote Traps
Coyotes are not just a nuisance to human beings. They can also pose a serious, predatory danger to livestock, especially sheep and lambs. While there are many coyote repellent methods that you can use to deter coyotes, such as lights, bells, chemical repellents, and livestock guard dogs, there is a simple coyote trap that just about anyone can build with the right equipment and safety precautions.
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Things You'll Need
- 5-gallon bucket
- No. 3 or No. 4 trap
- 18-to 24-inch stake
- Hammer
- Plastic wrap
- Coyote urine
- Leather gloves
Instructions
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1
Chose a good location to set the trap. According to F. Robert Henderson, Animal Damage Control Specialist at Kansas State University, "Good locations for a set are often indicated by coyote tracks" . While you don't want to set your trap directly on a trail, coyotes often follow flat, walkable areas, so chose a location that is flat and has easily access to roads, trails and fields.
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2
Dig a trench 3 feet long, 7 inches wide and 2 inches deep.
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3
Carefully compress the spring of the trap and spread its jaws to set it properly. You want to activate the trap directly as indicated in the instructions that came with the specific model of trap you purchased. Do not try to spread and lock the trap without first reading the instructions as you do not want to set off its trigger.
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4
Firmly place the trap into the hole that you dug and make sure that it is stable and secure.
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5
Add soil to the area around the trap pan and jaws so that the jaws are just ½ inch below the ground. Essentially the opened jaws should look like they are nearly flat against the surface of the ground.
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6
Add plastic bags or plastic wrap under the jaws during the winter. They will protect the trap from the weather.
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7
Hammer the steak into the ground on the side of the trap opposite the trigger in order to fasten the trap to the surface of the ground. Connect the chain from the trap to the steak and continue to hammer the steak completely into the ground. The steak needs to be firmly set in the ground, otherwise the coyote may be able to pull free.
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8
Cover the trap with light, soft soil and smooth the area around the trap with a stick. The trap needs to look natural to the location. Everything but the trap area, especially the area around the trap, needs to be packed firmly, so that it seems just like regular, hard ground.
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9
Sprinkle the coyote urine around the trap. This will minimize human smell in the area and also attract the coyote to the area of the trap.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear leather gloves while setting the trap and working in the trap area, especially when spreading the soil. This will minimize the human smell in the area, which may deter the coyotes.
Remember that coyotes are dangerous animals, and have been known to even kill human beings. Take every precaution when working around sites that possible have coyotes, especially if that coyote has killed livestock in the past. Additionally, coyote traps are dangerous. Make sure you read every setting instruction for your brand of trap before setting it. While most traps do set by opening the springs, spreading the jaws, and fastening the set, there may be important instructions that you need to read in relation to the particular kind of trap. Do this before evening opening the trap to prevent serious injury to yourself or someone else.
