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Post by MNCedar on Aug 29, 2010 21:46:52 GMT -5
Blind sets are something that I would like to "be good" at. There have been times when a well constructed blind set would have saved me a lot of headache and TIME.
An example would be instead of littering a sheep pasture with flat sets...I wish I would have blind set the two trails the ol' dogs were using along the fence line. Didn't look for the trail first...and I think if I would have it may have saved me some gas---to say the least.
But this scenario doesn't happen everyday on the line. What about the typical fence lines, field corners, etc. that are screaming K9 location, but don't come stock with a beat down coyote highway?
Basically wondering can blind sets be used consistently, or are they location dependant?
Out of those that blind set for coyotes...
The majority of the time, are you:
(A) kicking in a blind set on a proven coyote trail...for example, one that has solid coyote tracks and it would be likely to expect that the next and only animal using that trail would be a coyote???
or...
(B) blind setting coyote "capable" traps on coyote "capable" trails, approach points (likely path of travel), or pinch points at the set locations themselves (like LT's spooky coyote dirthole on another thread) without needing a beaten down, bare dirt, coyote track covered trail to do so???
I know this thought process can put fur in the shed. And one of my goals this year is to use these more consistently.
Thanks for the input. Any ideas?
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Post by kycountry on Aug 29, 2010 21:59:38 GMT -5
I don't try to trap a lot of coyotes, but I guess it would be the same for a blind fox set...
I set mainly deer trails with a stepping stick on both sides of the trap with a guard stick over it to make the deer either jump or go around the trap. I don't need to see tracks on the trails if I know they are in the area. as I know they will run these trails.
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Post by sniperbbb on Aug 29, 2010 22:21:39 GMT -5
I don't think coyotes really don't make their own trails often, they borrow everyone else's trails, with fence crawl-unders being the exception. Sadly here in Ohio we can't set half the trails(two-track trails and livestock trails are off limits).
Coyotes follow the path of least resistance rule just like everything else. Look for trails that connect two hunting areas together, trails along and through fence lines. Don't beat yourself looking for coyote tracks in the trails unless your trapping a perpetually muddy or sandy/dusty area. You just won't find that many tracks unless there is snow on the ground.
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Post by MNCedar on Aug 29, 2010 22:24:42 GMT -5
I agree...seems like they highjack everybody elses trails.
I suppose fur trapping is fur trapping...so if the blind set gets plugged with a coon...it's another coon for the shed.
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Post by 4fur on Aug 29, 2010 22:29:34 GMT -5
I don't normally go for K-9's until December when the weather gets tough and I'm fighting freezing soil and at least some snow. It's enough work to put in sets I know are going to get hit (baited/lured) so don't blind set traps. Snares are my blind sets.
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Post by sniperbbb on Aug 29, 2010 22:31:06 GMT -5
I agree...seems like they highjack everybody elses trails. I suppose fur trapping is fur trapping...so if the blind set gets plugged with a coon...it's another coon for the shed. If you can use snares, you could avoid the coon in trails. Snares will give you more bang for the buck, literally for blind setting on land. You'll cover more ground with less work versus using footholds. Unless your setting on bait stations, blind sets are low percentage sets so you need more sets to give yourself a better chance of connecting.
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Post by MNCedar on Aug 29, 2010 23:07:27 GMT -5
I agree...again. Posted this on T-man too...but should have mentioned here that MN snaring on land opens Dec 1st. So by that time...like 4fur said...my footholds are in high percentage spots only...and I go mostly to snares. Same concept in snaring as blind setting a foothold...in a way. I'm interested in trying to pick up an extra dog when the going is easy early on. Just don't want to spend too much time kicking in well blended blind sets either. Just thinking on a Sunday night
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Post by 4fur on Aug 31, 2010 11:06:34 GMT -5
You could put in your trail sets on a slide cable so whatever you catch gets away from the path and doesn't molest it. Remakes would not only be possible but quick. If you don't have any action on the blind set, you could turn it into a two holed walk through type set very easily. Can't say I've ever done this but I do use slide cables with snares a lot.
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Post by ohioandy on Sept 3, 2010 14:37:05 GMT -5
Mafia set
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Post by Law Dog on May 26, 2011 19:27:27 GMT -5
I caught a digger in a blind set last year, set it about 20 feet down a cattle trail from were I had caught a couple yotes and he was digging up the 2 sets. It took a few weeks but he was there when I pulled for the season. Best yote catch of the year!
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Forrest
Administrator
Trapper
Posts: 1,000,271
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Post by Forrest on May 26, 2011 21:52:52 GMT -5
I do not blind set coyotes very often but it is a very effective way to pick up smart or ultra timid dogs and no doubt has it's place in my set arsenal.
I think snares are a much faster and more effective way to blind set coyotes if the situations are right.
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Forrest
Administrator
Trapper
Posts: 1,000,271
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Post by Forrest on May 26, 2011 21:55:58 GMT -5
Some advise LT told me...
>>>Make your own location<<<
Trails leading to a bait pile can be deadly with blind set's...
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Post by Law Dog on May 26, 2011 22:17:54 GMT -5
Some advise LT told me... >>>Make your own location<<< Trails leading to a bait pile can be deadly with blind set's... Just make sure you the legal distance away from the bait-pile to avoid non-target animals!!!
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Post by steve56 on May 26, 2011 22:21:29 GMT -5
snares+ beaver carcauses= coyotes
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Post by Law Dog on May 26, 2011 22:22:55 GMT -5
I like setting large baits in thick lowspots (creeks/draws) and let the K-9s hit it first then set the trails they have made.
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