AboutMongo Expertise I can answer most basic questions concerning predator trapping and some water trapping. Questions about lures, baits, sets, traps, trap treatment, modification, sizes, equipment, usage, etc. I have been certified by the Okla. Dept. of Wildlife Conservation, First Okla. Trapper`s Assoc., and the Okla. State Univ. Extension Service as a trapping instructor, and in years past have given classes to people wishing to learn the sport...I also have a number of years experience in predator calling and can provide some basic answers to these questions as well.
Experience
Past/Present clients As far as teaching what I know to others. I take this to be what you mean here... I have helped my son, and son in law, as well as a number of others in this area, to get started in trapping and predator calling... I have had personal instruction from professional government ADC specialists, and I have 30 years experience running my own traplines, and over a half century of experience in the outdoors...... I have a friend who is a troop leader with the Boy Scouts. In the past I have done several demonstrations on trapping and predator calling for the boys, and on a number of occasions have helped the troop to set up and run a trapline during the winter, with proceeds going to the troop.
Question Hey Mongo,
Thank you for sharing your expertise. Do you know of a way to exclude bobcats and foxes from a coyote set. I have young children and the coyotes have scared us away from our favorite camp site. I'm no chicken and have lived my life hunting, but those rascals circled our campsite. They are also bothering calves and other livestock
Answer Hello Park,
To be honest, I really don't know of a way to catch coyotes, but avoid bobcats or foxes... If you make a set, the first animal that comes along that finds it interesting, is going to investigate, whether it is a coyote, fox, bobcat, or even a possum, skunk, or dog... You can somewhat avoid a few of the bobcats by using no bait at the sets, and only using coyote gland lures or coyote urine...but this won't totally exclude bobcats, and it will not dissuade fox or dogs at all...... My suggestion would be to go ahead and make your sets as you normally would, and simply carry a release stick with you, and release any bobcats or fox you catch...or any other animals you catch but don't want..... I have run the woods for over a half century hunting, trapping, fishing, camping...and have never had a problem with coyotes threatening me...however, I have been threatened by feral (free running) dogs on several occasions.
Actually, I doubt that the coyotes would bother you while you are camping... Often they hang around areas like that because they have learned that many times people will leave scraps of food or bones, or trash, when they leave...and some "kind-hearted" but totally misguided people actually leave food for them...which causes them to start to loose their fear of man, and that is when problems can often start... Like I say, I really doubt you will have any problems...just make sure you keep your children in sight and in the immediate area. And in places like this I would avoid taking any small pets such as cats or small dogs with me, as a coyote very well could see this as prey...and, you may even want to consider having a gun handy, just in case... To tell you the truth, you probably need to be more careful of "two legged" predators than 4-legged ones...and carrying a gun on your person while in the woods, and somewhat isolated, is, in my opinion, just "good insurance" against problems with not only coyotes and other wild animals, but also feral dogs, and the 2-legged predators as well.
Sorry that I can offer no more help than this, but these are my personal opinions on this matter... And don't let the fear of those coyotes prevent you and your family from having an enjoyable time in the outdoors. Just be prepared, take proper precautions, and stay aware of your surroundings... If you do this, you should not have any problems.
