Coyotes running in packs?

[Guest]

Had an interesting experience yesterday evening. Took my new hunting buddy out for her second trip to the lease, and sat the same field. Had a doe come in right at the end of legal shooting hours, and was lining up my shot when she stood up, startled, and turned and ran out of the field like a freight train. Had no idea what spooked her, but then six coyotes came trotting into the patch. They milled around for a minute, sniffing and circling. I've not seen these stupid dogs in a pack before, so it concerns me. Of course, the pack is one fewer this morning than last night, as I took out the biggest one on which I could get a clean shot.

Anybody else seeing this sort of pack behavior from coyotes? It concerns me because I'm pretty sure it is a major deer density impact for our lease. After the season we're going on a coyote killing spree, for sure.

 

[pre6422hornet]

I have only seen this once Dub, that was probably 15 years ago in Ohio. It was late muzzleloader season ( first week of Jan) and I was just coming out after a day of hunting. There was maybe 5 minutes of shooting time left and I heard them yipping before I saw them. Probably 10-12 came running out lazily into the field and just milled around ( just like you described).

They then turned and decided to come cruising by at 10 yards to investigate this blob kneeling down in the middle of the field ( me).. I sure surprised them when the old 50 cal Hawken CVA flashed right in front of them !!

I only had permission to muzzleloader hunt that land so I never got a chance to go back and try some real coyote hunting, but it was fun nonetheless!

 

[jmad_81]

I have seen it several times around the farm. Nothing gets a guys blood pumping like six dogs running over the ridge before you can even finish your first calling set. I know I hear packs of dogs alot more than I see them. They get pretty active around my house at night. I don't think it is unusual, but I think it is something that doesn't get witnessed very often.

 

[JD338]

I called in 3 one time, shot 2 of them.
Usually this time of year, you see one at a time.

JD338

 

[Guest]

That's been my experience, as well, Jim - single dog sightings. In fact, I've never in my life seen them in packs, only time I've ever seen more than one is a pair I saw one time while hunting in January. But other than that, it's been singles always until yesterday.

 

[DrMike]

I'm guessing that you were seeing a training session. Yes, I've witnessed such packs. I have drawn the conclusion that the pack consists of pups being trained in the hunt.

 

[Mortis]

I've seen them single and in packs...... and can sit out on the back porch at night and hear them yelping.

Yotes do hunt in packs if large game is available that requires help such as deer.

As DrMike mentioned..... could well have been a training session for the young. Taking out the largest probably took out their instructor.

 

[FOTIS]

We had them on packs here a few years ago. They came off the mountains and were killing livestock to included horses.

 

[Polaris]

They pack quite commonly around here. Seems to coincide with their targeting larger prey judging by what I've found in the guts when I've taken pack dogs. Usually the packed dogs are all juveniles, sometimes associated with an older male that will tolerate them prior to breeding season beginning. I've also seen the juvies run with momma but she will drive them off before she comes into heat.

I hear them howl in groups of 4-5 up until about mid-Jan around here, then I just hear singles. When I note from that or the tracks they are packing, I set a gang of 3 or 4 traps at a site. I've gotten all 4 filled before. I have seldom had more than 2 come into a call. I think the dumbest one gets to be the bullet magnet while the rest sit back and wait.

 

[Guest]

I think the dumbest one gets to be the bullet magnet while the rest sit back and wait.

We are making arrangements to oblige this privilege to as many of the dumb ones as possible...

 

[DrMike]

We are making arrangements to oblige this privilege to as many of the dumb ones as possible...

How very considerate, dubyam! :mrgreen:

 

[mcseal2]

I once got to my truck after bowhunting and shined my flashlight back across the field I'd just crossed because I'd been hearing a noise following me. There were 8 coyotes spread out across the field between 50 and 150 yds from me. I think I'd been a little to sucessful at not looking or smelling human. After that I took the necessary steps to be able to legally carry a handgun while bowhunting. It made me feel safer anyway.

 

[Bob in TX]

They travel in family groups every year until the young head are old and self sufficient enough to head out to find their own territories.

I shot 3 out of four that came in on this stand is south Texas a few weeks ago.

Bob

#3

 

[PJGunner]

About this time of year and on into January, when I lived in Nevada my buddy and I used to call coyote for their hides. We were privilged to hust seberal private eanches uo in Paradise Vally as the weather was usually mild enough that cows could deliver their calves even in winter. The cotoye's normal small game was quite scarce due ti disease causing a serious die of of the jack rabbit population do the yodel pups took to watching for cows ddown giving birth. damned yote wee eating the calf almost as fast as the cow was delivering. Several ranchers paid us bounty money and we got to sell the hides. When we did the calling routine, it wasnt not too uncommon the have anywhere from three to four and sometime more coyotes come running in fot the freeie meal. The shooting got quite fast and furious for the short time they were in sight 8) We probably got our best haul during the winter of 78/79. Coyotes were as thick as fleas on a hound that year and must have really been hungry as they came in to our calling like we'd rung a dinner bell. That year was the last big coyote hunt for my buddy and I. A job transfer with more more brought me to Tucson om August 31, 1979. The yote down here have been highly educated by way too many people that either don't know how to call or just missed the yote and educated it to not come to dying animal sounds.
Paul B.

 

[Ridge_Runner]

happens with easterns, when they migrated east they went north to get around the great lakes, they picked up a bit of wolf DNA, so that gave them a larger size and tendency to hunt in packs, have saw or heard about packs here from 5 to 13 animals. When they get packed up, they ain't afraid of you.
RR

 

[Guest]

I can assure you that for just a few minutes, before she died, that 3-legged bitch was afraid of me, as were her companions. A 180gr E-Tip from a 300Wby through the shoulder at 130yds will amputate a coyote's leg, for sure, I can tell you. But to your point, RR, I'd rather not see a pack when bow hunting, I'll tell you. Much rather have a repeater and a magazine full.