Conclusions from a Night Hunt in Nevada

H

Handloader

New member

Two days and two nights of calling in Nevada has been a refreshing and invigorating experience. Long accustomed to calling by daylight, this was my first time calling at night.

Jeff Mock has a petition in support of night hunting in my home state of Arizona and amongst some of us this has raised some questions and issues, some of which I have posted here for comments and ideas from board members. Jeff's petition link is listed on this board. After my night calling experience, I'm #290 to sign the petition.

Rhetoric and technique aside, the skills needed to be effect, IMO, are the basically identical. We took several long naps at day and at night and continued calling, making as many stands as we could in an area of Nevada familiar to me. We got more responses at night, yet our night visability limited the numbers we shot. By the end of the hunt we had shot and similar number, 13 by day, 14 by night. At night more coyotes came in but left unscathed.

Of course, there is a lot for Yours Truly to learn about night calling. I was fortunate to be in the company of two very experienced night callers and got a cram course. We always set stands at night at least 100yds from the vehicle. We used red filters until coyotes were detected and white light for the shots. One shotgun and two rifles were used. etc, etc. By the end of the hunt, I was exhausted but pleased with the experience. Enough so, that another 48 hour hunt is now planned.

I wish to thank members of the forum for their comments, pro and con, to my inquiries. Since my return we have garnered a dozen or so added signatures for the petition at the store where I work. I doubt the rules will change soon; this is not the first time an attempt to allow night calling has occured. But, there is a case for persistence and in educating the general public. And each other.
 
And ya didnt invite me? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gifI commend you Handloader for going out & trying it before making a firm decision. To many people have their minds made up like concrete ... all mixed up & permanately set ... w/o having a clue as to what goes on.

Hey Crapshoot: Invite me to go night hunting w/ ya & don't invite Handloader. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif That'll teach him. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Night hunting is where it is at in my opinion. I hunt alot of flat, open (wide open) cut fields during the season and I believe that the preds just feel more comfortable running those fields under the cover of darkness.
 
Quote:
What part of Nevada were you calling? Northern or Southern?



Humboldt and Lincoln counties in Northern Nevada. I've done a lot of day calling in that area and had notes of various stand locations throughout the area that were previously productive. Night calling is regulated by counties, prohibited in some and restricted in others.

Now, if only I could find some Gen III binoculars and scope! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Handloader,
You wouldn't happen to know if Night Vision Optics are legal in Nevada would you? I know that spotlights are as per county but was wondering what their regs say on Night Vision Optics. ???

We can use a spotlight on private property in Oregon if you are an agent of the landowner BUT.. Night Vision Optics are illegal to hunt with. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif Go figure???? Thanks.
 
The way most counties restrict night hunting here in Nevada is not so much by saying you cant use as light, but rather by saying no discharge of a firearm after sundown.
 
Crapshoot,
So far I've only hunted in Humboldt and Elko Counties during daylight hours. I don't want to invade too far South and get into your territory. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif Can you supply a web address that I could check out the night hunting restrictions for Humboldt and Elko Counties?

I'm getting some Night Vision stuff and am looking for a place to try it out a little is why I'm asking.
 
Apparently I am the worst Varmint hunter in all of Nevada. I am a newcomer to this sport but I have had zero success. If it isn't my calling then it's my shooting. You however seem to have the right amount of ability and skill. The next time you come to Nevada or want too let me know I would really like to see it done right. I live in Las Vegas and spend most weekends in the field so don't hesitate to call on me.
 
ky-ote, Invade all you want. Justr make sure you drag me along. www.ndow.org is the web site for our F&G.Just place your mouse where it says hunting. A drop down will show up, then place yur mouse on Season&Regulations and another drop down will show up. Coyote regulations are at the bottom of that drop down.
 
crapshoot, ,
Thanks for the link. I had found the www.ndow.org site and have also looked at a site that contained the laws of Nevada. I just haven't found where it says anything about Night Vision Optics at all. I hate to assume they are alright in the areas you can hunt with a spotlight but can't find anything that says anything about Night Vision Optics one way or the other.

In the Oregon Regulations it states "No person shall hunt any wildlife with infrared or any other night vision sight".

I'd gladly drag along the famous crapshoot! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif No carrying on with the coyote girls at night though like I saw pictures of at the Globe Hunt. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-006.gif
 
As long as night hunting is permitted in the area you are hunting , Night vision shouldnt be any problem.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gifFamous???? I dont hardly think so. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Humm.....27 coyotes out of Nevada in 48 hrs? That's what I'd call a real good hunt ....Last years World Champs took 26 coyotes in two days of hunting in the Elko contest. You guys need to think about doing next years contest. Who where the guys you were hunting with? 13 by day and 14 by night is outstanding...I'd really like to know more about that hunt.....God bless and Good Hunting.
 

BillyTheKid: thanks for your comments.

This hunt was an allout blitz and we called for 48 hours straight with some daytime and nightime naps along the way. If you've called for a few years, and it sounds like you are experienced, you may relate to falling asleep on a stand. I did, several times and was awakened by gunfire once. But, if you only have 48 hours and you are legal to call day and night, why stop?

27 coyotes for 48 hours of hunting really doesn't sound all that successful to me, especially for three callers. That's about one coyote for every two hours. If you discount the multiples on several stands, the ratio is worse and comes out to around one response/kill(s) for every three hours.

Fortunately, we were in an area of Northern Nevada that I have called many times before and half of our stands were ones we have used previously. I didn't track the number of stands, but, I would guess we averaged slightly less than two per hour as we had to get gas twice and we made one major move to another area an hour an a half away.

Compared to the last two days of calling on the Navajo and other areas in Arizona, the Nevada hunt was good. This last trip yielded only eight coyotes, although we called only during the day. Wind, mud, snow --- the normal excuses.

So, how's the calling in your area? We have called New Mexico, east of Reserve, numerous times with good results.
 
Calling is not real good this time of the year where I'm at in New Mexico. I know where Reserve is, good Elk country. Yes, you could say I'm especially experienced in northern Nevada. I've been hunting there for 30+ years day and night. Won many a contest hunt out of Nevada back in the 70s and early 80s. 48 hr hunts is what we ( the CVCA )use to do. I know what going without sleep is all about also, been there done that. 27 coyotes is VERY successful on a 48 hr hunt. I hunted against the best predator hunters in the country years ago, many times 27 would win a hunt and many times 27 would not get you a 4th or 5th place. When I say a 48 hr hunt, I'm talking half that time was driving to the hunting areas. I use to go to Nevada maybe twice a month for 8 months out of the year for many years predator hunting. Use to take a week sometimes two off work every year hunting Nevada., I do know Nevada lol. Of course Nevada is not the only place I've hunted hard over the last 41 years, I use to like a very special place in southern Arizona also Baja and Sonora. The last 3 places I just mentioned can't be touched when it comes to numbers of coyotes. I'll say this one more time.....27 coyotes out of anywhere this time of the year is better then outstanding, it's almost unbelieveable numbers for denning season and early in the year, most coyotes that are left are all the smart ones. Truly a great hunt Handloader.
 
Hey Danny , good to see you here again. Haven't heard from you much, although I did catch your discussion over at Leonards a while back about night hunting. Interesting to see what ya'll really think. Of course I'd expect that kind of crap from Leonard. We did OK this year, although we did not have a "flipper light". Killed 48 cats , over 100 coyotes and a bunch of foxes and other critters. Even managed to call in 2 lions. I guess I'll have to get Leonard to build me a Flipper, then maybe I'll really do good??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Howdy Randy, good to hear from you too. I never tell the truth on these sites, it wouldn't be fun if I did lol. You did real good as always down there in Texas. Two lions, I'd call outstanding, most guys never seen or call in one...good job. I'm in New Mexico now days trying to figure out where to hunt lol. I made friends with a guy that won the world contest a couple years back, he only lives down the road. You know I'll be picking his brain lol. Nobody makes them flipper lights anymore, but I have a couple of them in my little museum, I've been working hard on this museum thing. It's for anybody that predator hunts and it's free. If you ever get up this way be sure to drop in and check it out. I own a motel, so you'll always have have a free place to stay.....Good hunting.
 
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