I caught a skunk in mid-January!

[Scoot]

My son got his first trapping catch today- a skunk! I can't believe a skunk found his traps on Jan 13th! He's proud as a peacock about catching it, so I was happy.

One question- the traps were set for coyotes. Will having the skunk in the bait cause any problems for catching coyotes there in the next while? Should I do anything other than simply remove the skunk and reset the traps?

[SpitnArgueDuckClub*]

My son got his first trapping catch today- a skunk! I can't believe a skunk found his traps on Jan 13th! He's proud as a peacock about catching it, so I was happy.

One question- the traps were set for coyotes. Will having the skunk in the bait cause any problems for catching coyotes there in the next while? Should I do anything other than simply remove the skunk and reset the traps?

What kind of a set is it? A bait hole set would be the best now (if it's not already). The skunk essence will do nothing but add to the attraction to the set. Especially if there are any fox in the area. Coyotes will certainly investigate the skunk essence too.

[Scoot]

Thanks CnH, I appreciate the reply. As you can probably tell from the first post- I don't know squat about trapping. So, regarding what kind of set it is, I don't know the lingo or if it's even a "kind of set". It's the carcus of the deer I shot this Dec (with quarters, backstraps, loins, etc. removed) with three traps around it- that's it.

Now that I've displayed my complete ignorance, do you guys have any suggestions on basic reads I can find online for coyote/fox trapping?

[JEV]

Scoot,

Not sure which state your trapping in, but in MN exposed bait with leghold traps is a no no. People tend to frown upon raptors ending up in traps. I'm not sure on the ND laws.

[Scoot]

Thanks JEV. I read the regs before I set the traps this year and here's what I found regarding that: "No person may set or maintain any leghold trap within 20 feet of bait located in such a way that it may be seen by soaring birds." Because of this, I covered up the deer with a bunch of tree limbs and brush so it could not be seen from above- I actually made a sort of lean-to above it so it couldn't be seen from above. My understanding is that I'm legally OK with this approach. Am I wrong?

[JEV]

Nope, as long as it's covered from above you should be good to go.

[SpitnArgueDuckClub*]

For yote trapping this kind of a set I would take all three of the traps and set them with flat sets on three trails or travel area's evenly spaced around the set. There's no real need to be right up against the bait. 20 ft back or 30 feet back no matter, the yote will find the coyote lure you place by the trap. For a flat set the lure is coyote urine you have or need to buy. A flat set is a tuff of grass or a rock or a post with a shot of coyote urine. Bury the trap about 10 to 12 inches out from the tuff of grass / rock / post with the pan covered with a coffie filter and sift snow over it (I assume your in snow now). Placement can be to any side if no obvious trail exists, if a trail or path exists put the trap in that area. Be sure not to have any of the lure touch the trap or trap bed. Keep the interest on the tuff of grass or a rock or a post. Even better do two with fox lure and one with yote lure if fox season is still in swing and you have some in the area. Yotes will "mark" a fox pee post or rock anytime it comes across one.

[Scoot]

Wow- great info! Thanks much for the reply!!!

[harvey lee]

Scoot, feel free to go out to the ranch and see if you and Jr can trap a few of those pesty coyotes that are running around, or a few coon also.

The deer herd will thank you, maybe a few turkey's also.

[Scoot]

Thanks Tom- I appreciate that! I'd love to get some traps out there! I can't get out there every day and when I have traps out I would sure like to be able to check them every day. If I can get a few days off in a row maybe I'll run out there one evening and set them, then check them every day for three days, then pull them when we're done. Not ideal, but we might stumble into one or two...

There are definitely some yotes out by Ada, but nothing like is at the Ranch. However, it's easy to check them daily by our house. Coupling lower numbers with my general lack of info about trapping and we've come up empty handed so far, minus Pepe le Pew!

Thanks for the offer to trap out there, Tom. If I was still in Fargo I'd jump at the chance. Tougher now though...