Got coyotes? Get control by use of traps

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

April 4, 2002 -- Because coyotes are a common predator, livestock owners should be aware of what to if coyotes are posing a real threat to their livestock.

A state wildlife biologist urges livestock owners to use "the most humane way" to trap coyotes in the elimination process.

Like most animals, coyotes are creatures of habit. They are most active at night, early morning or late evening hours. A trapper can find coyote signs such as tracks and droppings (as called scat) in their established travel routes. When the signs are discovered, traps may be set in place.

There are different ways to catch a coyote: leg-hold traps, snares, or live traps.

"Coyotes are very territorial and very intelligent," stated Ted Pepps, a wildlife damage management biologist with the Texas Wildlife Services Program. Pepps detailed the leg-hold and snare traps at the recent Four States Ag Expo in Texarkana.

"Coyotes learn very quickly if you mess up with a leg-hold trap. Let's say you catch him by the end of the toe and he pulls out. He will remember that trap for the rest of his life. He will remember that smell of rust, metal and odor," Pepps said. "A lot of times, he will dig up the trap and throw it aside. Sometimes they will poop on it. They know what you are all about."

Snares are another device used to catch a coyote. Snares should be made with at least 3/32-inch-cable and with a lock mechanism. This mechanism can be a washer with two holes drilled into it. The washer needs to be bent in a "L" shape. Snares also need a stop so that the snare doesn't strangle the animal, Pepps pointed out. The snare should pull snug on the animal's anatomy in order to restrain the animal, and they must have a swivel in order to keep the chain from twisting.

"Traps should be void of any scent. I boil my traps in Arm & Hammer baking soda. I wear leather gloves that are only used for setting traps. Modify your traps with a swivel, spring, offset jaws or rubber jaws," continued Pepps.

There have been advancements in trap design. Today's traps are geared towards holding the animal with the least amount of pain.

"We will never eliminate the coyote, but we can learn to control him," added Pepps.

Coyotes are shot in the back of the head when trapped by wildlife management.

Other control methods for coyotes include livestock protection collars or M-44 devices.

The livestock protection collar consists of two rubber containers filled with Compound 1080. The collar is attached with straps to the throat of a sheep or goat. A coyote generally kills by attacking at the throat, Pepps said, and by doing so, one or both of the containers is punctured; thus, the coyote receives a lethal dose of the toxicant.

The M-44 device is a mechanical device that propels sodium cyanide powder into the mouth of the animal when the animal eats the bait used with the device. Unconsciousness usually occurs within 90 seconds and death soon follows.

"The bad thing about the collars is the animal wearing the collar will also be killed," Pepps replied. "And, the M-44 is only licensed for those coyotes that are (preying) on livestock. It can not be used on coyotes eating cantaloupes or watermelon.

"There is no harmonious balance in nature. Deprivation is a natural way of life," said Pepps. "Wildlife management in the future, decisions should be based on science and unbiased information and no so much on emotion, because emotions are not the ruler in the wild. We are always going to need trapping."

For more information about controlling coyotes, contact Pepps at 903-595-4127.