FIELD EVALUATION OF PADDED JAW COYOTE TRAPS: EFFECTIVENESS AND FOOT INJURY

Authors

Samuel B. Linhart, Denver Wildlife Research Center, USDA
F. Sherman Blom, Denver Wildlife Research Center, USDA
Gary J. Dasch, Denver Wildlife Research Center, USDA
Richard M. Engeman, Denver Wildlife Research Center, USDAFollow
Glenn H. Olsen, USFWS, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Md.

Date of this Version

March 1988

Document Type

Article

Abstract

A field study of unpadded and padded foothold coyote traps was undertaken in six western states in 1986-1987. Tests were designed to determine the capture efficiency and extent of foot injury caused by different trap modifications. Results were similar to an earlier study undertaken in 1984-85 that showed padded traps reduced foot injury but captured and held fewer animals than did unpadded traps. Both studies showed that unpadded long-spring traps used operationally by Federal Animal Damage Control specialists were the most effective (75-78% capture rate) but caused more foot injury. Padded long-spring traps were intermediate in efficacy (52-57%) and foot injury, while padded "Soft Catch" traps were the least effective (30-58%) but caused the least injury to captured coyotes.