[warrior-p]

Coyote hunting - tell us how you do it, what calls, motion decoy etc. Garsack and I are going to shoot some in the coming weeks using a rabbit squealing hand call. But I see a lot of other people on here coyote hunting so give us some advice for open fields, woods, river hunting, how to use hand calls, electronic calls, decoys, etc.

This should turn into a pretty neat post :tu:

 

[joey1919]

should be an interesting thread, i've called and shot coyotes with some success but it was probably more luck than anything. old tape player and a rabbit in distress tape. got one of those fancy new callers and the motion decoy. and a friend with some new nightvision, now all i need is s some time

 

[hitnmiss]

Remember they hunt with their nose, make sure to play the wind. They will almost always circle to the downwind side so try to catch em before they bust you. Always good idea to have decoy to give them somethin to spot and draw attention off of you. Good luck!!

 

[kuger]

Remember they hunt with their nose, make sure to play the wind. They will almost always circle to the downwind side so try to catch em before they bust you. Always good idea to have decoy to give them somethin to spot and draw attention off of you. Good luck!!

....thats kind of true....they use all three senses and use them well.....in the wide open plains I have watched them come to a call from far enough away that they just looked like a dot.....You make a move...any move and its over.I never stay soid to call into the wind....call against the wind....yes they will sometimes circle down,but more often then not they will use the terrain,ya gotta learn what kind of draws,and what not they like to come into.Decoys are OK,but you sure dont need them,problem with decoys is you are spreading your scent every where setting them up(I have watched dogs come in on a string and hit my tracks where I had walked in and turn like they hit a wall)You are always taking a risk that one is laid up close and the more you jack around the more likely you are going to bump them out....then you start calling,and they know whats up....then they start "booger barking",this is telling every coyote around that you are there and that sound is dangerous...they dont forget that either.When they start boger barking,you best leave. When you start calling start kind of low and progress up.If you start right off with a blast and one is laid up close...again,scares the chit outta them and they are gone.Look with your eyes not your head....dont move at all once you start calling.Yotes have incredible eyesite and are looking for movement.I carry a shotgun and a rifle...I call to the shotgun(let them get close enough to get em with that,as often times more than one is coming and if you blow your wad too soon you miss the op at the other....and you increase your odds of a sure kill)and back up with the rifle.....sometimes ya gotta reach out and get em....ya got the bases covered.If I am mouth calling I call in half minute to minute burst's,if I am using an electronic I leave it on constant,this seems to really excite em,and bring em in fast.I only stay on a stand for 15 minutes,the majority will come in within 5 min.Yes some come in after 15,but I try and do at least 20 15 minute stands a day,and my average is much better doing more stands vs staying on one stand longer.My best 24 hours calling ,with one other guy is 33 yotes dead and probably 15 missed or wounded

 

[jb-hunter]

Everything Kuger said... good info. I am a true believer in full camo, headnet, gloves, play the wind, and move every minute of a set like you have a deer 5 yards from you all the time because you will get picked off.

Don't expect them to always cross the field like in the videos... If they can, they will run a edge in cover too. I have shot several 20 yards (and less) from me sneaking slowly along in the underbrush. Had one get 5-6 feet from me before I knew he was there, but it was some thick stuff. Nope, didn't get him, he was gone when I turned my head.

I prefer going to a coyote set up by barely peaking a crest/hill and quietly setting up to call a bottom, field, draw, etc. I like semi-tall cover behind me to break me up and sit brushy fence lines a lot. I do not like walking out 50-75 yards in the open to set a remote call or decoy because I have called too many dogs on me 20-30 seconds after hitting the mouth call and I am sure I would have blowed them out of there had I went bouncing out in the open to set stuff up, just my preference. Like Kuger said, don't blow hard right away and sound like a 200# rabbit. I use electronics but rarely, I personally like the feeling of blowing the call, coaxing them in and dumping them as close as I can.

Remember a coyote has a better GPS system than you do... when you set off a call he has you narrowed to a very finite area before you ever spot him. I also don't like to over call once I have one headed my way just for that reason, I don't want to be pegged anymore than he/she already has me. Mouth squeaks where you pinch your lips together and suck in (kinda like kiss calling your dog) will pull one in from 50 yards or more. I use these when one is hung close but I have no shot yet or when deer hunting (bow) and I spot a coyote and no call is handy or buried in my backpack.

I also believe a 15 minute set is plenty but I also have capitalized on my hunting day by taking my shotgun, number 6's, crow call and decoys. Set up, call coyotes for 15 and if nothing, stab decoys in the ground, set off the crow call, go hide then dump a few... move a 1/4 mile and do it again. Makes for a fun day. I have even thrown a coyote out on the ground then lined crows up around it and then hit the crow call, makes for a more real set. If you have never called crows, they are close to coyotes (maybe smarter). You get one (maybe two) shots at calling them in, they will pick you off in a heartbeat and you have to move after killing a few.

And don't give up. Remember the videos are showing all the sets where they got shots or kills... not the dozens they didn't. Some days are gold, other days are chit. And best of all, have fun and take someone that's never done it. I enjoy csalling in a yote and watching someone else get it as much as I like pulling the trigger myself. It will make their day.

 

[kuger]

Everything Kuger said... good info. I am a true believer in full camo, headnet, gloves, play the wind, and move every minute of a set like you have a deer 5 yards from you all the time because you will get picked off.

Don't expect them to always cross the field like in the videos... If they can, they will run a edge in cover too. I have shot several 20 yards (and less) from me sneaking slowly along in the underbrush. Had one get 5-6 feet from me before I knew he was there, but it was some thick stuff. Nope, didn't get him, he was gone when I turned my head.

I prefer going to a coyote set up by barely peaking a crest/hill and quietly setting up to call a bottom, field, draw, etc. I like semi-tall cover behind me to break me up and sit brushy fence lines a lot. I do not like walking out 50-75 yards in the open to set a remote call or decoy because I have called too many dogs on me 20-30 seconds after hitting the mouth call and I am sure I would have blowed them out of there had I went bouncing out in the open to set stuff up, just my preference. Like Kuger said, don't blow hard right away and sound like a 200# rabbit. I use electronics but rarely, I personally like the feeling of blowing the call, coaxing them in and dumping them as close as I can.

Remember a coyote has a better GPS system than you do... when you set off a call he has you narrowed to a very finite area before you ever spot him. I also don't like to over call once I have one headed my way just for that reason, I don't want to be pegged anymore than he/she already has me. Mouth squeaks where you pinch your lips together and suck in (kinda like kiss calling your dog) will pull one in from 50 yards or more. I use these when one is hung close but I have no shot yet or when deer hunting (bow) and I spot a coyote and no call is handy or buried in my backpack.

I also believe a 15 minute set is plenty but I also have capitalized on my hunting day by taking my shotgun, number 6's, crow call and decoys. Set up, call coyotes for 15 and if nothing, stab decoys in the ground, set off the crow call, go hide then dump a few... move a 1/4 mile and do it again. Makes for a fun day. I have even thrown a coyote out on the ground then lined crows up around it and then hit the crow call, makes for a more real set. If you have never called crows, they are close to coyotes (maybe smarter). You get one (maybe two) shots at calling them in, they will pick you off in a heartbeat and you have to move after killing a few.

And don't give up. Remember the videos are showing all the sets where they got shots or kills... not the dozens they didn't. Some days are gold, other days are chit. And best of all, have fun and take someone that's never done it. I enjoy csalling in a yote and watching someone else get it as much as I like pulling the trigger myself. It will make their day.

:tu: great points....just to add....tests have shown that coyotes can hear the squeeker at 1 mile distance....no wind...just to give you an idea of how well they hear

 

[rum3002576]

i love my foxpro, i have also been having good luck going rite at or before daylight lately.

 

[hitnmiss]

....thats kind of true....they use all three senses and use them well.....in the wide open plains I have watched them come to a call from far enough away that they just looked like a dot.....You make a move...any move and its over.I never stay soid to call into the wind....call against the wind....yes they will sometimes circle down,but more often then not they will use the terrain,ya gotta learn what kind of draws,and what not they like to come into.Decoys are OK,but you sure dont need them,problem with decoys is you are spreading your scent every where setting them up(I have watched dogs come in on a string and hit my tracks where I had walked in and turn like they hit a wall)You are always taking a risk that one is laid up close and the more you jack around the more likely you are going to bump them out....then you start calling,and they know whats up....then they start "booger barking",this is telling every coyote around that you are there and that sound is dangerous...they dont forget that either.When they start boger barking,you best leave. When you start calling start kind of low and progress up.If you start right off with a blast and one is laid up close...again,scares the chit outta them and they are gone.Look with your eyes not your head....dont move at all once you start calling.Yotes have incredible eyesite and are looking for movement.I carry a shotgun and a rifle...I call to the shotgun(let them get close enough to get em with that,as often times more than one is coming and if you blow your wad too soon you miss the op at the other....and you increase your odds of a sure kill)and back up with the rifle.....sometimes ya gotta reach out and get em....ya got the bases covered.If I am mouth calling I call in half minute to minute burst's,if I am using an electronic I leave it on constant,this seems to really excite em,and bring em in fast.I only stay on a stand for 15 minutes,the majority will come in within 5 min.Yes some come in after 15,but I try and do at least 20 15 minute stands a day,and my average is much better doing more stands vs staying on one stand longer.My best 24 hours calling ,with one other guy is 33 yotes dead and probably 15 missed or wounded

33 yotes in 24hrs that's awesome!!! Around here we'd b lucky just to see 33 in a year lol. Everyone and there brother hunts around here and the yotes get pressured a lot. Almost every single one we have called in was real cautious and circled downwind. A lot of em have just hung up 500-600yds out and listened/watched our direction. Our best luck so far has been hunting nights close to a new moon. Maybe we just need head out ur way and let you show us how it's done lol.

 

[Big buff]

We have had much better luck night hunting vs daytime. Use a 100yd scan light and shine for eyes constant. Use a 250yd light mounted on gun to light up whole dog when ur ready to shoot. If you can get the scan light in there eye's and never take it off them and don't let the halo of the light hit anything close to you they don't pay any attention to it and also caint see you so movement isn't an issue. As for calls we use a foxpro shockwave and jack attack decoy. Set caller and decoy out in front of you 30-60yds along with decoy. Try to set up in a cross wind with a clearing to downwind side. If they try to get down wind of the caller you got a better chance of em not smelling you and have a clear shot. Hope this helps.

 

[kuger]

33 yotes in 24hrs that's awesome!!! Around here we'd b lucky just to see 33 in a year lol. Everyone and there brother hunts around here and the yotes get pressured a lot. Almost every single one we have called in was real cautious and circled downwind. A lot of em have just hung up 500-600yds out and listened/watched our direction. Our best luck so far has been hunting nights close to a new moon. Maybe we just need head out ur way and let you show us how it's done lol.

....c'mon out!!!Couple of things..................that is/was in an area that had one of the highest coyote populations in the West...................average day with the Plane was 100+.At that time,calling was not the rage it is now,so the yotes were still pretty receptive.#2 we/I did this for a living,to be completly...totally honest not many guys would/could do it how we did it..........48 hrs straight non stop balls to the walls gets to be not real fun.They took our traps away so we had to do it that way to keep things in control.Yotes are educated very easy and are a sum beach to get once they are!!

 

[Rizz]

I usually set up a decoy in a field and put some scent out that i bought from a trapper. Be careful with the scent, the stuff i got i spilt on my hands first time out and spent the entire trip vomiting uncontrolably from the smell. I keep a pair of rubber gloves handy if im gonna handle the stuff now. Usually post up in a tree stand simply for the fact because its there and its more comfortable. Calls all made with a mouth call. Usually wait 15-30 between sets unless they are active and the more i call the faster they come running. Usually shoot a .17 with a scope/light and laser for when the lights go out. Still have yet to make a shot with the .45 but it will happen soon.

 

[Marno]

Ok, this is how we do it...

Thought I would put this up as I think our jackal and your coyote's are more or less the same. Geno can jump in here if I forgot something.

First of all we use fast flat shooting guns like 22-250, .204, 243, 25-06 etc. and we also put silencers on them. Then we mostly use lightforce spotlights and it is the scope mount models so works great. We also have other spotlights that we use to search while you are moving from one stand to another.

Most important factor that will determine the success of the hunt is the location you pick for your stands. IF you are in their area you will get them most of the time.

We use shooting chairs that we put on the back of the vehicle. We also cover up the vehicle with material that will hide it a bit and take away the glare. (Unless if you have awesome camo wrap on your vehicle like Geno).

The shooting chairs can turn 360 degrees and we plug our spotlights in on the chairs so you can turn around without wires that is in the way. The shooting chair is critical for turning around quickly and searching. What also makes it nice is that you are ready to shoot at any time. Our shooting chairs are also quite comfortable for those long nights in the field. We have cup holders on them as well for your coffee.

Our video camera's also fit on the shooting chair and is set up so that it records exactly where the spotlight shines.

We use dimmers on our spotlights. If we pick up an eye you dim the light down almost completely and follow the eyes through the scope till you are ready to shoot and open the spotlight so that you can see the jackal clearly.

We use Foxpro callers and normally put them out between 80m and 120m accross and upwind from the vehicle. We also make sure our down wind side has the most open space as the jackal will work your wind.

We call them during the night and day. During the day the best time is early mornings and then just before the sun set as well.

Sometimes we shoot them during the day with helicopters as well. We then use shotguns.

This is just a quick summary of what we use.

Here's some photo's of my shooting chair, how I cover up the vehicle and a spot where I did an early morning call towards the end of last year.

Cheers!

 

[Cut-Down-Crew]

Use a FOXPRO.......... And don't miss. It's a lot easier than most people make it. It's all in how you hunt, and where you hunt not every farm holds coyotes. When and if you kill a coyote take notes there's a lot to know if how or why that coyote was where he was. Time of day can play a HUGE roll on certain plot and even how bright the moon is. Winds I don't bother with NOT saying it won't hurt your hunt BUT he will wind you even if you belive in total scent controll. He will try to circle your wind and get below you so just keep and open shooting zone down wind.

Biggest thing in hear and know guys do is blast there calls super loud. Coyotes will find you you just have to wait em out. Don't blast you sounds out there super loud when on stand just because you dnt see a coyote in 15min.... Which by the way 15min is way too short to sit on the average stand UNLESS you the area and the coyotes.

Camo is a biggie more important that scent I have had coyotes come in at10 yards to me and they crossed my scent cone. I'd rather have my Camo that worry about my scent. Coyote never seen me... That should tell alot. Another good tip carry a shot gun I have yet to kill with mine but the time you leave it in the truck or at home you will wish you had it!!!

 

[kuger]

.....I never have been a huge fan of decoys.I have used them but as said before its really too much trouble,when trying to get a number of stands in.I do like using a dog though.Any dog will work.Sometimes you have to tie them up near ya,but a good one will wander around.....this will drive a coyote crazy!Then of course my favorite coyote hunting besides the plane is Decoy dogs which instigate a fight and bring em back to ya......I really miss that

 

[kuger]

Use a FOXPRO.......... And don't miss. It's a lot easier than most people make it. It's all in how you hunt, and where you hunt not every farm holds coyotes. When and if you kill a coyote take notes there's a lot to know if how or why that coyote was where he was. Time of day can play a HUGE roll on certain plot and even how bright the moon is. Winds I don't bother with NOT saying it won't hurt your hunt BUT he will wind you even if you belive in total scent controll. He will try to circle your wind and get below you so just keep and open shooting zone down wind.

Biggest thing in hear and know guys do is blast there calls super loud. Coyotes will find you you just have to wait em out. Don't blast you sounds out there super loud when on stand just because you dnt see a coyote in 15min.... Which by the way 15min is way too short to sit on the average stand UNLESS you the area and the coyotes.

Camo is a biggie more important that scent I have had coyotes come in at10 yards to me and they crossed my scent cone. I'd rather have my Camo that worry about my scent. Coyote never seen me... That should tell alot. Another good tip carry a shot gun I have yet to kill with mine but the time you leave it in the truck or at home you will wish you had it!!!

LOL!You are telling me 15 minutes is too short then ya say you have never even killed one with a shotgun?I did this chit for a living bud,how many have you killed?

It doesnt take a rocket scientist here dude......say your competing in a competition.Now you have 8 hours,and studies done show that the majority of all called coyotes will respond within the first 5 minutes....that is fact,after that the chances decrease by the minute.Yes one may come in later but that coyote is keen to what is up,and will likely just end up blowing your cover and educating any other dogs around when he starts booger barking.So back to the example......guy #1 decides to sit on stand for 30 minutes at a time,guy #2 sits for 15 minutes a stand and is covering more ground and calling to more yotes.....you do the math

 

[rum3002576]

i use my foxpro and it has a decoy attached rite to it. i have never used a dog before. hmm may take wifes little poodle with me this weekend.

.....I never have been a huge fan of decoys.I have used them but as said before its really too much trouble,when trying to get a number of stands in.I do like using a dog though.Any dog will work.Sometimes you have to tie them up near ya,but a good one will wander around.....this will drive a coyote crazy!Then of course my favorite coyote hunting besides the plane is Decoy dogs which instigate a fight and bring em back to ya......I really miss that

 

[kuger]

i use my foxpro and it has a decoy attached rite to it. i have never used a dog before. hmm may take wifes little poodle with me this weekend.

Great point Matt.I dont and never have used a Foxpro.....never seen the need to blow that kind of money on something thats not needed.....but if someone gave me one....

 

[rum3002576]

coyote hunting around here this year has been the hardest i have ever seen it here. i think it has to do with everyone that is doing it now. they sure smarten up quick. normally this time of year we can get a howl or two out of em but in the last 3 weeks i have not heard one single yote nor called any in.

 

[Cut-Down-Crew]

I'm not arguing the diffrence in contest calling, or killing dogs with a shotgun some asked how you kill coyotes not let's argue how diffrent hunting styles and situations are completely diffrent from one guy to the next. That's awesome you killed coyotes for a living. Here's what I know most my stands I sit 30mins and sometimes and hour...and I kill coyotes way beyond the 15min mark. He reason I sit there that long is because I know that coyote is there it's just calling him out to make a shot on him. Hope I didn't piss you off by my first post. I was just saying HOW I KILL COYOTES. And I have fun doing it.

 

[Tgray]

One thing I've found aroun here especially since there is getting to be more people attempting to call yotes here east of the Mississippi is to try different calls often different from ur standard cottontail mouth call. Try sounding like a hurt pup. I do carry a foxpro and if I'm on a farm that I've heard other people have tried calling on I rely on the foxpro. Again use different sounds. I have lots of success with k9 pup distress, kitten distress and woodpecker distress. Also as everyone else says stay concealed and play the wind.