To build a coyote trap

[jasnt]

I'm working on a new trap design that I want to try.  Since I was a kid I wanted to be a trapper. I always wanted to trap coyotes. Now I've gotten my trappers lisence and rules make it " impossible" to trap coyote, so I'm told. But I'm stubborn and like to do what I'm told can't be done. So I'm working on a trap that I think may work well for coyotes.

I've been told if you have a big enough trap it may work. I would love to hear any ideas or suggestions any of you may have.
Sofar I'm thinking 4't X 4'w X 6'L.  Conibar trigger or power trigger.  Will be power doors either swinging or gillateen

Also thinking live bait box

[ouchfoss]

I'm no expert when it comes to coyotes but my thinking is the same as yours. Bigger, more open trap has got to up your odds of catching one. The only downside to having a larger trap is that you are going to actually catch and hold a cougar at some point. Wouldn't be a bad thing if we could legally trap them.
One idea that I think will also up the odds would be to use double door traps and place them in well used tunnels/trails in brushy areas and set them up as a blind set. Then just add some bait in the area and at some point, a yote will make a mistake and go in. Scent is obviously a main factor too. Probably good to get your cages built and painted long before season that way most of the human scent has went away.

[Bigshooter]

Bigger has been tried an still doesn't work well.

[Machias]

Before you spend your money and time, do some research on a fairly extensive study done in California.  They did trap some yotes, the vast majority were young of the year just weaned.  It was some ungodly amount of time the traps set to catch ratio.  Thousands of hours per catch.

[jasnt]

I've been doing research on this for a long time. Most info I run across just says it won't happen. No one talks about what they tried or imo even used a cage large enough except the California study which had a 4'x4'x8' trap. They used mostly carcasses and lure.  I plan to use live bait in a well protected cage attached in side. Using a small rooster or some quail my sister raises.   Isn't think it's going to be for wilderness coyotes. But the coyotes that are more than happy to break in to our chicken coops I think would have no problem going in as they seem more than willing to go right the coop by any means possible.

As for cougar I'm sure that's more than possible. But as I stated this will be more for problem coyotes that are causing troubles at or near people's homes. In my area as many of you know cougar are a major problem and numbers are high. I've delt with more than a few, I'm sure a release would be more than exciting. I respect the cougar but I do not fear them. Almost every cat I ever ran across wanted nothing more than to get away. Speedy and safe release will be in the design

[huntingfool7]

[Bigshooter]

I've been doing research on this for a long time. Most info I run across just says it won't happen. No one talks about what they tried or imo even used a cage large enough except the California study which had a 4'x4'x8' trap. They used mostly carcasses and lure.  I plan to use live bait in a well protected cage attached in side. Using a small rooster or some quail my sister raises.   Isn't think it's going to be for wilderness coyotes. But the coyotes that are more than happy to break in to our chicken coops I think would have no problem going in as they seem more than willing to go right the coop by any means possible.

As for cougar I'm sure that's more than possible. But as I stated this will be more for problem coyotes that are causing troubles at or near people's homes. In my area as many of you know cougar are a major problem and numbers are high. I've delt with more than a few, I'm sure a release would be more than exciting. I respect the cougar but I do not fear them. Almost every cat I ever ran across wanted nothing more than to get away. Speedy and safe release will be in the design

Good luck too you.  You're going to need it.

[JakeLand]

Is it legal to bait coyotes ? If so my thought would be prebait area for awhile and put it in a thicker brush area. And fence off all areas but a few to a handful of trails that they use build essentially some big swim throughs that are dbl door probably 2'x42"x 6' and put them in the trails and de-scent them very good .camo the cages and cover the floor with ground cover that's my suggestion
  Hmmmm I might try this 

[jasnt]

Yes I bait coyote most winters. That could work
Huntingfool7 that video has my gears turning!

Thanks for the input guys. This will be a fun project. I look forward to the challenge

I'll update here as it progresses

[Humptulips]

I thnk te idea if building a large cage is a dead end road that has been trod before. Just the size of the cage makes it a non-starter in my book.
I would think something completely different is the direction I would take. Think about this idea. A cage trap that the coyote does not have to enter to get caught in.

[jasnt]

I thnk te idea if building a large cage is a dead end road that has been trod before. Just the size of the cage makes it a non-starter in my book.
I would think something completely different is the direction I would take. Think about this idea. A cage trap that the coyote does not have to enter to get caught in.

now ya got me thinking  

[Humptulips]

I thnk te idea if building a large cage is a dead end road that has been trod before. Just the size of the cage makes it a non-starter in my book.
I would think something completely different is the direction I would take. Think about this idea. A cage trap that the coyote does not have to enter to get caught in.

now ya got me thinking

I have fiddled with the idea but have not yet come up with something I like. What  I did was along the lines of a wide, tall but shallow trap with a door that laid down on the ground in the front. The idea being you would cover the door and springs on the door  would boost the coyote into the trap. Somewhat similar in fashion to a suitcase beaver trap but with some crucial differences.
Something for you to think about anyway.

[Norman89]

Trajectory based coyote launcher....hmmm. the thought crosses my mind of skeet shooting and how that mechanism could be implemented...

[JakeLand]

Watch a video on catching turkey with a net hmmmm !

[jasnt]

Coyotes have pretty fast reflexes. I'm thinking a carousel type design similar to the one on the video but smaller and lower to the ground. Bout 30' off the ground.  Still playing with ideas before I start cutting