Bulletin 320 



CONTROL OF THE COYOTE IN CALIFORNIA 



387 



about three inches below the surface. Set the traps directly over 

 the drag and cover carefully with paper and fine dirt. Bait by bury- 

 ing a piece of putrid meat or fish about ten inches beyond the traps. 

 The top of the bait should be just flush with the surface when cov- 

 ered. If fetid bait or scent be used, it should be sprinkled just behind 

 the trap so that the coyote will step into the trap as he steps about 

 sniffing the scent. Disturb the soil and surroundings as little as 

 possible in setting the traps, and when through brush out all surface 

 sign and sprinkle dead leaves over traps and bait. Leave everything 

 looking as natural as possible. 



Carcass Set. — The decaying carcass of a horse, cow, sheep or other 

 large animal usually attracts coyotes and affords an excellent place 



Fig. 4. — Diagram of Carcass Set for 'Svise" coyotes. Traps in position but 

 not bedded. 



to set traps. Wait until the coyotes become accustomed to visiting 

 the carcass, then select a slight mound or open place thirty or forty 

 feet from the carcass and carefully set the traps as described in Open 

 Set, using scent instead of bait. A useful variation of this set is to 

 place one trap near the scent and then carefully set the other two traps 

 from four to ten feet away (see fig. 4). These outside traps will often 

 catch wise coyotes that circle around hesitating to go near the scent 

 or bait. No amount or kind of scent or bait will draw a "wise" 

 coyote into a poorly set trap. 



It is not necessary to wear gloves when setting traps. If coyotes 

 are very shy, set the traps and leave them 48 hours before baiting, 

 since human scent will be gone by that time. Baiting can be accom- 

 plished without leaving any trace of human odor by pouring fetid bait 

 or scent from horseback. 



In many localities pack rats, kangaroo rats, ground squirrels and 

 other rodents keep springing coyote traps. A few spoonfuls of strych- 

 nine coated barley, prepared according to the government formula,^ 

 if scattered near the traps will clean up these interfering rodents. 



1 Circular letter issued by Bureau of Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. Agric, 

 June, 1917. 



