The existence of core areas within the home range is of importance when selecting trap-sites. Signs of territorial marking by urination and defaecation on or against prominent objects such as grass tufts, low bushes, stones, termite mounds and poles are important in trap-site selection. These sites are ideal trap-sites for jackal, especially in areas where they avoid artificial attractants. It is important to concentrate capture efforts on small groups of jackals to counteract the process of avoidance learning by observation in the jackal population. They are most common in drier areas, and generally prefer less vegetated, open terrain.
Jackals make extensive use of paths leading to burrows, watering points, gaps in fences, etc.
They also use stock and game trails, farm roads, unused jeep tracks, and sandy, eroded gulleys. When walking from one place to another, jackals prefer sandy soil or soil with fine texture to a gravel or stony substrate. Hairs at fence holes, carcases in the veld, sightings, and records of calling are also indicators of possible trap-sites. Use no. 3 coil spring traps. Pegs or drags can be used.