Concerned about catching a coyote

[AmysMacdog]

I'm would greatly appreciate your input because I'm kinda between a rock and a hardplace here. We now have this coyote who I caught trying to break into a chicken pen the other day.
DD got talked into a leghold trap at the feed store. I don't think this is a good idea for us. We are in a residential area. Yes lots of woods between mini farms and clusters of houses and houses all along streets which means people's pets.

She wants to put the trap way back in the woods OFF our property b/c she knows I don't want it here. Too dangerous for our dogs and 2 old cats. Some of our dogs are completely trustworthy and just go potty out front and have never used the small fence out back.
They prefer the "privacy" of going in the bushes and we have 6 acres and live on a cultisac so no traffic and the neighbors aren't close BUT you can see them when the leaves fall.

So I don't want anybody elses animal getting hurt and am afraid this might be a liability. What do you all think? :shock:
Thanks in advance!

 

[Cottie]

Here is my experience with coyotes: they rarely return frequently.

It might be weeks before you see that one again. I would return the leg trap and research a good live trap. That way, if you catch Fido in the interim, at least he won't be dead.

 

[Secuono]

Huge liability, loose and roaming pets, not so much. But if the person who owns the land where you put the trap has their pet get stuck, you'll be paying for the vet and possibly fees if your law is like that.

Body traps, snares and leg hold traps shouldn't be used anywhere near pets or kids or other farm animals.
Put up better fencing, hot wire or a coyote live trap. Sit out and shoot it if that's legal in your area, my guess is you can't in an area so close to others. Also most likely not legal to release them at all.

 

[Dood]

Bad idea.

What if a dog or a child stumbles upon the trap.

They are very cruel and you will never forget the image or sound of an animal screaming because it is trapped by a foot.

They are now banned in Ontario, I would double check the laws in your area. However, my grandfather was a trapper and my dad inherited some which we used in the early 80's as we were over run with raccoons when we first moved here and live traps were not on the market. We placed them in a spot where only the raccoons could go. We now use live traps and shoot them.

 

[Cottie]

Sit out and shoot it if that's legal in your area, my guess is you can't in an area so close to others. Also most likely not legal to release them at all.

Coyotes are on almost all DNR hit lists. I know of very few areas that have any restriction on shooting them.

 

[KatzNetherlands]

I agree... better provisions because if you live where there are coyotes, there will likely be more over the years... fence better, and get a good dog. The coyote is doing what they do. They find food.

I would get a live trap and relocate(many people don't agree) or if you have to kill it, at least do it humanely and kill it quick. Don't let it sit and suffer. I have seen where animals out of fear have literally chewed off their leg to save themselves... it is a horrible site and in my opinion, worse than what a coyote does to chickens.

 

[AmysMacdog]

Here is my experience with coyotes: they rarely return frequently.

It might be weeks before you see that one again. I would return the leg trap and research a good live trap. That way, if you catch Fido in the interim, at least he won't be dead.

Thank you! Thats part of the argument. She can't afford the live trap. The leghold trap is cheap and she just want that coyote!! She won't listen to me past that. I'm just dumb old Mom ya'know! Her friends and the dood at the feed store said blah blah.....

Body traps, snares and leg hold traps shouldn't be used anywhere near pets or kids or other farm animals.
Put up better fencing, hot wire or a coyote live trap. Sit out and shoot it if that's legal in your area, my guess is you can't in an area so close to others. Also most likely not legal to release them at all.

Thanks CnB! That was my thinking too. Save her money and do this right. In this area nobody will mind if the coyotes are hunted, they are a problem and getting worse but I'm afraid of the liability and don't want any trouble with the neighbors.

Bad idea.

What if a dog or a child stumbles upon the trap.

They are very cruel and you will never forget the image or sound of an animal screaming because it is trapped by a foot.

They are now banned in Ontario, I would double check the laws in your area. However, my grandfather was a trapper and my dad inherited some which we used in the early 80's as we were over run with raccoons when we first moved here and live traps were not on the market. We placed them in a spot where only the raccoons could go. We now use live traps and shoot them.
Bad idea.

What if a dog or a child stumbles upon the trap.

They are very cruel and you will never forget the image or sound of an animal screaming because it is trapped by a foot.

They are now banned in Ontario, I would double check the laws in your area. However, my grandfather was a trapper and my dad inherited some which we used in the early 80's as we were over run with raccoons when we first moved here and live traps were not on the market. We placed them in a spot where only the raccoons could go. We now use live traps and shoot them.

trouble with any neighbors.
But if she went to the landowner and got permission I wouldn't have a problem with that.

Thank you Dood. I agree. I hate leghold traps, they are cruel. I saw what they do first hand working for the vet. One patient was a wild fox. We amputated his paw and returned him to his mate.
Stubborness runs in our family and she just wants that coyote, I understand BUT not at the expense of the neighbors pets, a child, although that is very unlikely in the area she is looking at but still. There is also the other wildlife to consider. Hopefully she will just take the darn thing back!
I'm glad they are banned in Ontario, hopefully they will do that here someday. Here they had plenty of them at the feed store and she went and bought one after we'd been there together. My DH asked if I knew she had it. Uuuummm nooooo!
Oops I'm late to go milk the goats. Thanks guys! <br /><br />__________ Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:54 pm __________<br /><br />Thanks Katznetherlands. I agree. I don't mind dispatching a predator when I have to and this coyote took my precious kitties BUT I will not cause an anomal to suffer for any reason and it chills me to the bone to think of an animal sitting there, can't get away, leg throbbing then it hears you coming.....the panic is bad enough in a live trap for a wild animal but at least you can release it or shoot it. In a live trap they can still hunker down and be relatively comfortable and.... :mrgreen: .....they just ate! :lol:

 

[Dood]

You may be able to get a hunter to shoot them for you. I have gotten them with a crossbow but they were unusually bold and started hunting my dogs in broad daylight. You could get within 20 feet without them running. After I silently shot 3 of the pack over a month they avoided the property in the daytime and our animals are brought in at night.

 

[willie]

check with hunting clubs in your area and find out if they know someone with a trapping lisenced. Many in our area use snares. They sound ominous however usually when domestic animals are caught they struggle at first then sit still unlike wild animals who struggle until they die. I have seen this firsthand. Here in rural south jersey i have shot coyotes during deer season, (perfectly legal).
However there are closed seasons for coyotes here in nj. Check in your state for complete laws and regulations. Coyotes will move on through areas but other ones will always return at some point. Good luck with this wiley predator

 

[DonnerSurvivor]

Coyotes are extremely intelligent animals and live trapping rarely or never works, As a amateur trapper forget the live trap as even trained biologist cant seem to consistently catch coyotes in live traps. As far as the foothold trap they are typically not as easy to use to catch a coyote as it may seem. A professorial trapper in this situation would go a long ways. Typically if a amateur tries and traps coyotes they will only educate them making them near immpossible to trap in the future. I would also say the "danger" of foothold traps is being far overstated as is the cruelty factor. I have trapped for years and many times I have walked up to a trapped animal only to find it patiently waiting or sleeping with no obvious signs of discomfort. I have also released many animals from foothold traps that were totally and completely fine upon release, biologist have also used foothold traps relocate animals that were intended for establishing populations in other areas. A professional trapper will be able to match the trap to animal that is being trapped and not cause the animal any undue discomfort. All that said you there are numerous loose running dogs exclusion may be the only good option on dealing with coyotes.

 

[HoppyMeal]

I disagree with getting a live trap. Coyotes are really smart animals and I don't believe you will be able to catch that coyote in a live trap. I have never heard of anyone catching a coyote in a live trap unless it was sick. When I used to trap, coyotes were one of the hardest animals to catch. If they smelled any of your scent around a trap they were gone. Being you live in a residential area there is a good chance the coyote will not come back. However you might check with the neighbors to see if anybody else has had trouble with a coyote. If they have you might try calling the local conservationist department or a game warden. Usually the conservationists department has a trapper that they use for problem animals and sometimes when they are a nuisance they will take care of the animal for you. At the least they can tell you what you might due to keep the coyote away.

 

[fuzzy9]

I agree with finding a hunter to shoot them. When we had coyote coming in, we talked to the DNR, and that was their suggestion as well. There are always hunters who are looking for places where they can hunt!

 

[AmysMacdog]

Good news She's agreed to take it back! I'm relieved.

Dood I've always wanted to learn to use a crossbow. We did archery as a family when I was a kid.
Wow you got three with the crossbow?! Fantastic! If I'd been armed the other day I'd of had him dead to rights but I can't use a gun b/c loud noises affect my balance bad! I could shoot but then I wouldn't be able to walk worth a crap! God forbid if I missed and he attacked.

Willie Good idea. I think she'll do that about finding a hunter. I don't know if there are any hunting clubs or not.
I don't know what the laws are here but most people just shoot 'em.

Donnersurvivor Yep we were afraid they would be to smart for the live trap. Good to know they probably wouldn't fall for the legtrap either. This coyote confronted a neighbors dog in midday. He does need to be caught somehow.

I think finding a hunter is a good idea and maybe we can talk to neighbors and some of them would throw some cash in. I know we aren't the only ones who have lost animals to the coyotes and with that one being so bold lately, I wonder if the smaller kids are safe!

Hoppymeal Good idea about the conservationist or game warden. I know this coyote is getting braver and braver in taking things. Maybe they would help b/c he's becoming more of a danger in a neighborhood.

Thanks Fuzzy9 Sitting here thinking about it I told her one day she may have to get some sacrificial roosters to bait him with and just sit and wait. She's a good shot and she could use the bait birds to get him to let his guard down over time letting him have one once or twice a week for a while. She could pre-kill them or for that matter use leg quarters from the store. Let him get comfortable then sit and wait for him..... :gun: :twisted:

 

[Desert Rose Rabbits]

Glad she's taking it back!

It's open season on Coyotes here if you're using a gun. However, the moment that you bring any kind of trap into it the department of wildlife gets in a huff and if you catch ANYTHING, even the coyote, they'll fine and/or jail you for trapping w/out a license and for trapping a non-fur animal. Also, there's been a lot of issues with people using foot traps and catching peoples dogs and we've even had a horse or two caught a few miles away.

 

[AmysMacdog]

Glad she's taking it back!

It's open season on Coyotes here if you're using a gun. However, the moment that you bring any kind of trap into it the department of wildlife gets in a huff and if you catch ANYTHING, even the coyote, they'll fine and/or jail you for trapping w/out a license and for trapping a non-fur animal. Also, there's been a lot of issues with people using foot traps and catching peoples dogs and we've even had a horse or two caught a few miles away.

Wow seriously?! :shock: Good! I'm glad. Those traps just aren't necessary but now just makes me worry about just what exactly are the laws here??? It wouldn't be the first time I've heard of they sell products for something like traps but you actually can't have/use them here. There are other ways to get the job done. DD hasn't had time to read this thread but I've been encouraging her to. Its been enlightening to read everybodies post.

She's planning instead to build more boxes to house them in at night since thats when its most likely to see the coyote.