Difference between revisions of "Trap a Coyote"
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Although they are important to the ecosystem, coyotes, which are wild canines that are found across North America, can cause problems when they damage or kill domestic pets, like dogs or livestock. Coyotes sometimes also scavenge through garbage. If you are dealing with a nuisance or a destructive coyote, there are ways you can trap the coyote to prevent this from happening. | Although they are important to the ecosystem, coyotes, which are wild canines that are found across North America, can cause problems when they damage or kill domestic pets, like dogs or livestock. Coyotes sometimes also scavenge through garbage. If you are dealing with a nuisance or a destructive coyote, there are ways you can trap the coyote to prevent this from happening. | ||
| − | [[Category:Wildlife]] | + | [[Category: Wildlife]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Preparing to Trap the Coyote=== | ===Preparing to Trap the Coyote=== | ||
| − | #Use the right [[Make a Trap| trap]]. [[Hunt a Coyote|Coyotes]] are strong animals, so you need a trap that is large, powerful, and fast. A No. 3 coil-spring trap with a jaw spread of about 6 inches should do the job. A number 1.5 size trap is probably too small to catch a coyote.<ref>http://www.furfishgame.com/featured_articles/Archived/2010-01/trapline_01_2010.php</ref><ref>http://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/trapping/trapping-coyotes</ref> | + | #Use the right [[Make a Trap| trap]]. [[Hunt a Coyote|Coyotes]] are strong animals, so you need a trap that is large, powerful, and fast. A No. 3 coil-spring trap with a jaw spread of about 6 inches should do the job. A number 1.5 size trap is probably too small to catch a coyote.<ref name="rf1">http://www.furfishgame.com/featured_articles/Archived/2010-01/trapline_01_2010.php</ref><ref name="rf2">http://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/trapping/trapping-coyotes</ref> |
| − | #*Make sure the trap has a center swivel and a reinforced base plate. The central swivel will reduce the chances the coyote’s foot is harmed by allowing the trapped coyote to pull on a heavy chain that is attached to the bottom of the trap. Cage traps don’t work well with coyotes because they may shy away from them.<ref>http://www.wildlife-removal.com/coyotetrap.html</ref> | + | #*Make sure the trap has a center swivel and a reinforced base plate. The central swivel will reduce the chances the coyote’s foot is harmed by allowing the trapped coyote to pull on a heavy chain that is attached to the bottom of the trap. Cage traps don’t work well with coyotes because they may shy away from them.<ref name="rf3">http://www.wildlife-removal.com/coyotetrap.html</ref> |
#*You can find such traps at many manufacturers, although sometimes people modify existing traps, for example by making a narrow-jawed trap wider. You can do this by welding a metal strip along the trap’s jaw to make its width larger (this process is called laminating). | #*You can find such traps at many manufacturers, although sometimes people modify existing traps, for example by making a narrow-jawed trap wider. You can do this by welding a metal strip along the trap’s jaw to make its width larger (this process is called laminating). | ||
#Target the right coyote causing all of the damage. There might be many [[Protect Kids from Coyotes|coyotes]] in the area, and you could end up catching family numbers not causing damage. So you might need to trap a few coyotes before getting the culprit. | #Target the right coyote causing all of the damage. There might be many [[Protect Kids from Coyotes|coyotes]] in the area, and you could end up catching family numbers not causing damage. So you might need to trap a few coyotes before getting the culprit. | ||
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#*Good places to set coyote traps include farm or livestock trails, at field’s edge, at the intersections of fences, where farm trails pass through gates, and on open ground. Don’t set coyote traps under trees or against high weeds or brush because coyotes don’t like to approach such places. | #*Good places to set coyote traps include farm or livestock trails, at field’s edge, at the intersections of fences, where farm trails pass through gates, and on open ground. Don’t set coyote traps under trees or against high weeds or brush because coyotes don’t like to approach such places. | ||
#Choose high ground or ridge tops. These are good trap locations because they are areas that coyotes like to frequent, and you’re less likely to end up with raccoons and other small creatures in your trap. | #Choose high ground or ridge tops. These are good trap locations because they are areas that coyotes like to frequent, and you’re less likely to end up with raccoons and other small creatures in your trap. | ||
| − | #*Locate the trap on the upwind side of the coyote pathway you are targeting. This will make it more likely that the coyote will smell your lure. Or you could set multiple traps to capture all wind directions.<ref>https://www.qdma.com/articles/top-5-rookie-trapping-mistakes</ref> | + | #*Locate the trap on the upwind side of the coyote pathway you are targeting. This will make it more likely that the coyote will smell your lure. Or you could set multiple traps to capture all wind directions.<ref name="rf4">https://www.qdma.com/articles/top-5-rookie-trapping-mistakes</ref> |
#*Restrain dogs and cats before setting the trap. You don’t want to end up with a dog or cat in your trap, and they are likely to be drawn to the trap too. Thus, make sure that dogs and cats are not roaming loose before setting the trap. | #*Restrain dogs and cats before setting the trap. You don’t want to end up with a dog or cat in your trap, and they are likely to be drawn to the trap too. Thus, make sure that dogs and cats are not roaming loose before setting the trap. | ||
| − | #Use a dirt-hole set. This is a common trap set used to snare coyotes. All you need are a few tools: a trowel, hammer or hatchet, sifter, 3-foot square kneeling cloth, and a bucket.<ref>http://www.kishelscents.com/2011/04/06/the-dirt-hole-set-how-to-make-a-productive-set</ref> | + | #Use a dirt-hole set. This is a common trap set used to snare coyotes. All you need are a few tools: a trowel, hammer or hatchet, sifter, 3-foot square kneeling cloth, and a bucket.<ref name="rf5">http://www.kishelscents.com/2011/04/06/the-dirt-hole-set-how-to-make-a-productive-set</ref> |
| − | #*Traps come with coil springs or powered cable or non-powered cable devices. All can work for catching coyotes.<ref>http://www.fishwildlife.org/files/EasternCoyote_BMP.pdf</ref>The dirt-hole trap works because coyotes will think it’s a hole where another animal buried food. | + | #*Traps come with coil springs or powered cable or non-powered cable devices. All can work for catching coyotes.<ref name="rf6">http://www.fishwildlife.org/files/EasternCoyote_BMP.pdf</ref>The dirt-hole trap works because coyotes will think it’s a hole where another animal buried food. |
#*The set has bait or lure in the hole to attract the coyote. Make sure that there is pan tension in the trap. About 4 pounds is a good amount of pan tension. You could just fill empty plastic bottles with sand to put in the pan to create pan tension. | #*The set has bait or lure in the hole to attract the coyote. Make sure that there is pan tension in the trap. About 4 pounds is a good amount of pan tension. You could just fill empty plastic bottles with sand to put in the pan to create pan tension. | ||
#Dig a hole. The hole should be about 4 inches in diameter and 8 inches deep at a 45-degree angle. It’s best to dig under grass so it can serve as backing. | #Dig a hole. The hole should be about 4 inches in diameter and 8 inches deep at a 45-degree angle. It’s best to dig under grass so it can serve as backing. | ||
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#Remove the coyote from the trap. Some traps are lethal traps. They work by putting a rope around the animal’s head. But in other cases the coyote may be trapped live. Seek a professional’s help in removing the coyote from the trap. Trapped coyotes are very dangerous. | #Remove the coyote from the trap. Some traps are lethal traps. They work by putting a rope around the animal’s head. But in other cases the coyote may be trapped live. Seek a professional’s help in removing the coyote from the trap. Trapped coyotes are very dangerous. | ||
#*Many jurisdictions will require that the coyote be euthanized after trapping. Others may offer places it can be taken to. Contact your local governmental wildlife or conservation department. | #*Many jurisdictions will require that the coyote be euthanized after trapping. Others may offer places it can be taken to. Contact your local governmental wildlife or conservation department. | ||
| − | #*Wear thick clothing and protective gloves when dealing with a coyote. Be aware that coyotes can carry rabies and other diseases.<ref | + | #*Wear thick clothing and protective gloves when dealing with a coyote. Be aware that coyotes can carry rabies and other diseases.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#*To kill a trapped coyote, shoot the coyote in the head with a .22 long rifle or similar firearm. Alternatively, shoot the coyote behind the front leg into the chest region. Discard the carcass. | #*To kill a trapped coyote, shoot the coyote in the head with a .22 long rifle or similar firearm. Alternatively, shoot the coyote behind the front leg into the chest region. Discard the carcass. | ||
#Clean the trap. You can clean a coyote trap with a high-pressure hose at a car wash. You will want to clean the trap before using it again after you catch a coyote (or any other animal). | #Clean the trap. You can clean a coyote trap with a high-pressure hose at a car wash. You will want to clean the trap before using it again after you catch a coyote (or any other animal). | ||
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#*Log wood crystals are commercial dyes used on traps to help prevent rusting. Put the dye in a large water container. Heat it until it boils. Add the traps to the boiling water until they turn brown or black. | #*Log wood crystals are commercial dyes used on traps to help prevent rusting. Put the dye in a large water container. Heat it until it boils. Add the traps to the boiling water until they turn brown or black. | ||
===Finding Alternatives to Trapping=== | ===Finding Alternatives to Trapping=== | ||
| − | #Resolve coyote conflicts without trapping. Some animal rights groups consider trapping coyotes to be inhumane. They have educational programs about how to resolve coyote conflicts.<ref>http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/coyotes/tips/techniques_to_resolve_coyote_conflicts.html?credit=web_id169097269</ref> | + | #Resolve coyote conflicts without trapping. Some animal rights groups consider trapping coyotes to be inhumane. They have educational programs about how to resolve coyote conflicts.<ref name="rf7">http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/coyotes/tips/techniques_to_resolve_coyote_conflicts.html?credit=web_id169097269</ref> |
#*Keep food and water away from the coyote. Coyotes are often lured to a neighborhood because they are hungry or thirsty. Food can attract a coyote to your neighborhood. Things like unsecured garbage, compost piles and pet food may draw a coyote over. Get rid of such things, and the coyote might go elsewhere. | #*Keep food and water away from the coyote. Coyotes are often lured to a neighborhood because they are hungry or thirsty. Food can attract a coyote to your neighborhood. Things like unsecured garbage, compost piles and pet food may draw a coyote over. Get rid of such things, and the coyote might go elsewhere. | ||
| − | #*Water draws coyotes as much as food does. So artificial lakes, irrigation, and pet water dishes are all things that could draw the coyote to your neighborhood.<ref>http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/wildlife/template-coyote-management-plan.pdf</ref> | + | #*Water draws coyotes as much as food does. So artificial lakes, irrigation, and pet water dishes are all things that could draw the coyote to your neighborhood.<ref name="rf8">http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/wildlife/template-coyote-management-plan.pdf</ref> |
#Haze the coyote to instill fear of humans in the coyote. Coyotes have become fairly accustomed to human beings. The goal is to make them afraid of coming around people again. | #Haze the coyote to instill fear of humans in the coyote. Coyotes have become fairly accustomed to human beings. The goal is to make them afraid of coming around people again. | ||
#*When you see a coyote, be very loud. For example, you could yell or use homemade noisemakers. | #*When you see a coyote, be very loud. For example, you could yell or use homemade noisemakers. | ||
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#Set up fencing. If you want to keep a coyote away from livestock, you could use fencing that will deter the coyote. | #Set up fencing. If you want to keep a coyote away from livestock, you could use fencing that will deter the coyote. | ||
#*For example, net fences in good repair will stop a lot of coyotes if the mesh spacing is less than 6 inches and the vertical spacing is less than 4 inches. | #*For example, net fences in good repair will stop a lot of coyotes if the mesh spacing is less than 6 inches and the vertical spacing is less than 4 inches. | ||
| − | #*Electric fencing also can work, but it can require more labor to keep it maintained. <ref>http://icwdm.org/handbook/carnivor/coyotes.asp</ref> | + | #*Electric fencing also can work, but it can require more labor to keep it maintained. <ref name="rf9">http://icwdm.org/handbook/carnivor/coyotes.asp</ref> |
#Use a guarding animal. Sometimes people who are trying to protect livestock will employ a livestock guarding dog. This is a dog that is reared to repel predators. | #Use a guarding animal. Sometimes people who are trying to protect livestock will employ a livestock guarding dog. This is a dog that is reared to repel predators. | ||
#*The most common livestock guarding dogs are Great Pyrenees, Komondor, Anatolian Shepherd, and the Akbash Dog. | #*The most common livestock guarding dogs are Great Pyrenees, Komondor, Anatolian Shepherd, and the Akbash Dog. | ||
#*The dogs need to be trained. It would be very dangerous to the dog to use an untrained dog as a guarding animal. | #*The dogs need to be trained. It would be very dangerous to the dog to use an untrained dog as a guarding animal. | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
*Rusty traps will not function as quickly as traps that are in good condition. | *Rusty traps will not function as quickly as traps that are in good condition. | ||
