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Facts
Coyotes are found from Central America to the Arctic including all of Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Coyotes resemble a small collie dog in body and size,with pointed ears, a narrow muzzle and a bushy tail. They are mostly grey in color with a light grey to cream colored belly. Most have dark guard hairs on their back and tail. Most weigh between 18 and 40 pounds.
Coyotes eat rabbits, ground squirrels, mice and other rodent animals. They also eat birds, carrion, poultry and most other wild animals. They sometimes kill lambs, sheep, young livestock, deer and antelope. They are mostly opportunists and will kill and eat whatever is easiest to come by.
Good bait is any kind of red meat. This bait is usually best if spoiled slightly. Live chickens and rabbits also work well. Commercial baits and lures also work well to attract coyotes.
Coyotes can live and have adapted to virtually all types of habitat. From arctic to tropic, country to cities, desert to tundra.
Coyotes are most active at night, but are commonly seen out during the daytime as will. They do not hibernate and are very active during the winter months.
Coyotes bed in sheltered areas, but do not use dens except when raising young, during severe weather or when they are being chased. Dens will have an entrance about a foot in diameter and are usually holes that have been used first by another animal like badgers or foxes.
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Signs
The dog-like footprint of the coyote is the most common sign. Domestic animals killed and left behind are another good indicator.
Coyote victims are identified by puncture wounds in the head and throat area with soft tissues such as liver and kidneys eaten. This differs from dogs in the respect that dogs attack the hind quarter of animals and leave them mutilated. Both coyotes and dogs attack prey on the spot and do not drag the carcass away.
Coyotes most affect humans by preying on domestic animals. Poultry, hogs, sheep, goats and cattle are the most common domestic prey.
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Trapping Tips
- Cage traps like the Kage-ALL
to capture coyotes need to be thouroughly concealed, and extra
precautions need to be taken to eliminate human scent from the
area of the trap.
---handle the cage with a gloved hand and clean gloves.
---concealment of the traps should be done with a gloved hand.
---do not linger around the area of the traps for longer than
necessary
- dig a hole approximately 6 inches in diameter and 10 inches deep.
- Partially bury some slightly spoiled meet in the hole, being sure to leave a part of it exposed
- apply some commercial coyote lure or bait to the hole to help attract attention.
- Set the cage trap over the hole so the rear of the trap covers the hole. The intention of this is to entice the coyote into the trap for a look down the hole to get the bait.
- it is best to make sure the bait is positioned in such a way as to make it only visible from the rear of the trap. This ensures that the coyote must enter the trap and pass over the trip pan to get at the bait.