Coyotes east of the Mississippi

[longwinters]

I know....I know. Its deer season. But I'm all set up for that and it doesn't start for us until Thursday.

So in the mean time I am trying to learn all I can about hunting coyotes and bobcats for the rest of the winter.

Anyone hunt coyotes, on purpose, that could give me your top 3-4 tips? I know there is a big difference in western and eastern hunting, but all tips are welcome.

I've ordered a FoxPro Wildfire caller, have a decoy, have appropriate camo, have the rifle (still waiting for the scope backordered through CL), bullets on the way from Nosler to load up and a few places to try.

Long

 

[Guest]

Long,
You have the right call IMO,
I like setting up in a fencerow w good camo near but not on top of heavy cover, (brush field, woods, etc)
I want a clear view as close to 360 as possible.
I use the cottontail for 60 sec or so, wait a couple minutes then hit it again.
Nothing happens, I use the pup yelps briefly before I move.
If I don't see something in 20-25 minutes I move.
Check the wind though. I don't want it blowing towards the heavier cover.
Watch out though. They'll circle you.
If I'm in an area I hunt frequently I only shoot singles. Shoot one out of a group and it seems like they won't come to the call again.
Have the pup yelps ready in case one shows you don't see, that usually stops them for a second.
Luck!
Dewey

 

[cloverleaf]

"(still waiting for the scope backordered through CL)," Garsh Long that wasnt me was it...? I have some scope laying around but I dont think you really want to buy one of them... CL

 

[JD338]

Long,

Coyotes are smart. They always come in down wind. Sometimes the rush in, other times they sneak in. Many times I have cut fresh tracks leaving a stand, they busted me and I didn't even know they were there.
Put the call 75 yards in front of you and sit down wind or cross wind. If 2-3 coyotes come in, shoot the farthest one first. Doubles are fun. :mrgreen:

JD338

 

[longwinters]

Good points guys. Where I have been bowhunting there are 3 packs of coyotes. I have only seen 1 fawn (quite a few does and a few bucks). But lots of coyote scat with deer hair.

CL = Camera Land. But hey Cloverleaf, if you have a scope you are supposed to send me let me know :>)

Long

 

[Guy Miner]

Long - seems like you're set once you get that scope mounted and zeroed!

JD338 had some great advice. You clear out some of those coyotes and likely you'll see more deer. Problem is that coyote populations bounce back fast, and the doggone things LEARN after they've been hunted!

Best of luck, and am looking forward to reading about your predator hunts!

Guy

 

[Guest]

I'll be following this with interest, as we have a definite coyote problem on our lease, and deer density is lower than we'd like it to be. Trying to plan with a few of our members who are interested so we can have some hunts in Feb/Mar/April before the snakes get out. Making a list of tips and tricks to try.

 

[Guy Miner]

Dubyam, During that time of year you should be hunting in the breeding season. Try a howler call, to provoke an aggressive response from the dominant male...

 

[Guest]

I've also been told I want to kill females if I can. Tips on how to get the ladies on the dance floor?

 

[YoteSmoker]

dubyman, try giving them free shots LOL

 

[Guest]

Yeah - already planning that. Trouble is, advertising it will most assuredly defeat the purpose. Very discriminating crowd, from what I understand. Should be a fun learning experience.

 

[Guy Miner]

Ladies go for food. Very practical.

Dying rabbit or something similar should do the trick - especially if you've got a moving decoy... That's really a good asset.

 

[YoteSmoker]

Top tips I can think of from a pro in action calling 17 in one day for me, and my other adventures:
1. Before you start calling, toss up sand or baby powder and make a definitive stopping point you won't allow the coyote to cross on your downwind side because they will assuredly go there. Barking with your mouth like "WOOF" will get them to check up long enough to get the shot. Wait for them to stop- Don't rush the shot on a running in yote.
2. Do not glass once the call starts (no good when they come on the run) but do glass when you are just about to give up. 1/5 times a non commital coyote will be sitting about 500 yds out. Snowshoe hare would get them to come everytime if no other sound worked, on this day anyway. Try something out of the blue.
3. Make lots of stands and put 1/4 mile or more between them. The faster you move the more you can call/kill. At least in the west, 15 minutes is long enough on the stand before glassing.
4. Calling is like fishing...nothing in 3-5 minutes? try another sound. Repeat until you throw the right "bait" at them. Occasionally, there will be one or two that hang up or just not at all interested. Don't beat yourself up, but get on to the next stand.
5. Howling usually works better later in the season but it definitely still works even earlier. Foxpro sounds I can testify work = Pup Distress II, KiYi, Snowshoe Hair, Lightning Jack, Growling Coyotes, Female Invitation, Female Whimpers, Interegation and Challenge Howls.
6. Use your sounds to set the stage and play on their territorial and competitive instincts.
These tricks work out west here for me and others, In the east, it may take longer and will probably be less animal density than out here so don't get discouraged. The first coyote I ever called was by accident while calling squirrels in Michigan so you never know when one might show up or how long until the next one does. Good luck and have fun!

 

[usmc 89]

Seventeen in one day wow! I am no pro by any means but I have hunted them in Wisconsin, Wyoming, north Dakota, and here in Montana. In my opinion the biggest trick to calling coyote has been getting into your set undetected. the sound doesn't really matter as I have caller them in with everything from the worn out cottontail to the woodpecker in distress. If I were you and was hunting heavier cover I would start with an interrogation howl, this does two things. 1 in the event they do answer and they don't always do that you will have their position located and their likely approach predicted. 2. A coyote when coming. to a food source is ten times more likely to be more cautious than he is coming to another coyote. reason being in my opinion he has heard a synthetic rabbit call before.
As far as the binos go, I think they are more important than anything. the quicker you spot them the better off you are. I am on the hobos even before I start the calling.