How to Use Snares for Coyotes

Coyotes are constantly on the alert for dangers moving cautiously as they hunt for food. They will avoid trap sets that have human scent around them. Snares hold a minimum of human scent which makes coyotes less cautious at a snare set. Coyotes will follow the easiest trails they can find commonly following fence lines in livestock areas. Coyotes will use breaks and holes in fences to cross to the opposite side. A snare set in a fence hole will take coyotes that pass through it.

Things You'll Need

  • Locking cable snares, No. 3 coyote size
  • Rebar wire
  • Cotton thread, black color
  • Coyote scent lure
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate coyote tracks along a wire fence line and follow them until finding a hole or break in the fence wire. Coyote tracks on both sides of the fence will show where they crossed through the hole. Strands of brown coyote fur stuck on the wire where it squeezed through the opening is proof they use the hole.

    • 2

      Open the snare loop to fit the inside of the fence hole if it is less than 10 inches in diameter. If the hole in the fence is larger, open the snare to make an 8-inch loop and narrow the fence hole down to fit it. Weave rebar wire through the fence wire around the snare, leaving only an opening the size of the snare loop.

    • 3

      Run a double strand of rebar wire through the swivel on the end of the snare cable. Wire the swivel to the nearest post. If the nearest post is too far, attach the swivel to the top wire strand of the fence above and to the side of the hole.

    • 4

      Position the snare in the fence hole so the lock is to the top or side of the hole. Tie the top and bottom or the right and left sides of the snare loop to the fence wire, using a single strand of cotton thread. The tying position will depend on whether the fence wire is vertical or horizontal to the snare loop.

    • 5

      Dip a dry twig into a bottle of coyote lure and place it on the ground 1 to 2 feet straight out from the snare. Do this on both sides of the fence to give the coyote a reason to go through the fence hole and snare to smell the lure on the opposite side of the fence.