Tag: trapping coyotes

So, you want to trap coyotes?

Posted on by Stuart Spitz
With the ever growing coyote population, predator calling has become a popular sport and useful tool in coyote control in some areas. But is it really totally effective on the whole for keeping coyote numbers in check? The answer is no. With the rise in predator callers out there, there is a rise in call shy coyotes due to novice callers making mistakes, which in itself is a given as with the guys that are good at it made the same mistakes while they learned the skill to calling. So whats another way of efficiently keeping coyotes in check? Trapping. Trapping coyotes can be a challenge for the novice just starting out. There are lots of things to consider or learn to trap a coyote. But the good news is,they are not as smart as some give them credit for, they are just another animal that lacks the thought process we have. They’re programmed for killing, eating and breeding, that’s it, and that’s what drives their thought process. And that’s what a trapper cashes in on when it comes to these critters.
Author Poses with a trapped coyote

here’s a lot of literature, media etc. that’s aimed at trapping coyotes. Some of the better books out there are Craig O’Gormans “Hoof beats of a Wolfer” or Clint Locklears “Eastern Wolfer” both excellent books on coyote trapping. You tube has some good videos as well, like yours truly “me” have some educational vids here.

One of the first steps is taking a trapper ed course. Most states have them now,just like hunter ed. Trapper ed is mandatory in some states before being allowed to trap. The main reason behind trapper ed,is just like hunter ed. To teach you the basic of trapping, the ethics, the laws and safety. It’s a good program. A lot of states have trapping associations that hold rondy’s that hold trapping demo’s with well seasoned trappers, and at the National level you have the Fur Takers of America http://www.furtakersofamerica.com/ and the National Trappers Association http://www.nationaltrappers.com/ both of which are excellent and fight for your rights to trap. And they also hold a yearly convention that brings in thousands of trappers from across the country. They have everything imaginable related to trapping plus demos all day throughout the whole convention with top trappers from across the country giving you there info and methods. It’s quite the learning experience.

Another successful trapping mission

So basically to get started trapping coyotes you need to educate yourself, do your homework so to speak. In future articles I will take you threw various stages to get started, how to get set up equipment wise, scouting, location, setting up a trapline etc. to get you on the right track to trapping ole wiley. He’s really not that hard to trap, you just need to be observant and a student of the coyote, let him show you what trips his trigger to put his paw on the pan.

Trapping for the most part is a very efficient way of controlling coyote numbers, it is probably the most efficient tool in taking coyotes period. Trapping has been villianized by animal rights groups for years, the 1970’s had quite an upswing in TV ads showing graphic pictures of animals distressed in traps, pets caught etc. What most people don’t know is a lot of it was staged, yes staged. They sacrificed animals to save the rest, their end justified their means so to speak. The bottom line with these groups isn’t saving animals, it’s lining the pockets with big salaries. In my opinion, the animal rights groups exploit animals for monetary gain. Trappers and Hunters are valuable management tools utilizing renewable resources putting their money where their mouth is compared to the AR groups that put very little if anything to their so called cause except their own pockets which drives their incentive, not poor animals as they put it.

In the upcoming articles I’ll take you through the different steps in pursuing the coyote by trapping and hopefully put you on to your first trapped coyote and a passion you never thought you had.