Hay Set For Coyotes

The hay set for coyotes is similar to a dirt hole set but in cold weather, you use hay to cover your trap. Some people will bead their trap in dirt and then cover it with hay. Other trappers will put hay under the trap and bed it right on top of the snow or frozen ground.

Both setups will catch coyotes, just make sure your trap is well anchored and you can have good success with a hay set.

  • This set is similar to a dirt hole set
  • Make a pile of hay, straw, or grass about 12 inches wide and at least 6 inches tall
  • Put the trap back from the hay about eight to ten inches
  • Offset the trap to the right or left a few inches
  • Put bait under the hay or grass on the side closest to your trap
  • The urine and lure on the top and side of the pile of hay closest to the trap
  • Adding coyote scat to the set may help the coyote feel more comfortable.
  • This set can work for other furbearers such as fox trapping, bobcat trapping, and badger trapping.
  • Check out all the other coyote trapping sets we recommend in our coyote sets article.
  • You can use a foothold trap on a hay set such as the MB 450 or the MB 550. Check out our article about MB 450s.
Coyote hay set
Coyote hay set can be a very effective trapping tool

Using Hay Set on a Frozen Pond

Earth anchors can be driven into the frozen ice to create a very powerful anchor system for your trap. This allows you to set where the coyotes are traveling so they can’t miss your hay set.

Wax Dirt in a Hay Set

You can use wax dirt to bed a trap on top of frozen ground. If it is possible it can allow your trap to fire more effectively when it is properly bedded in the ground.

Supplies For Hay Set

Other Coyote Trapping Articles