Coyote Hunting Beginner Tips

[Zlalonde]

Hey guys!

I’ve been getting more into predator hunting this winter, even though i’m yet to even see a coyote i still enjoy it. I was wondering what tips you guys wished you had known when first starting out for coyotes.

I’m very mindful of wind direction and scent / noise control coming into stands, however i just can’t seem to get one of these guys into my line of sight. I’m in Massachusetts and don’t have thermal, so the furthest i can see is probably 200 yards down a power line strip, and for the most part i’m hunting timber during daylight hours, but taking advantage of open areas when i can find them. I also use a foxpro patriot as a call.

My main questions are this. What times of day do you find are best for hunting coyotes? What calling sequences work best for you? How long do you usually give each stand? Do you verbally locate your coyotes before hunting them, or do blind stands where there are tracks / sightings?

Any advice is appreciated though!
Thanks guys

 

[hm1996]

Topography changes from one area to another, but coyote behavior does not. I've hunted thick S. TX brush, the same private ranches for over 20 years as there is no public land close by, am limited to approximately 21,000 acres in 3 areas so hunt the same vicinity repeatedly, as opposed to having unlimited territory to spread out. I do not hunt at night.

In answer to your questions, with that in mind, the basics, as you have alluded to above are a given. Sounds like your options are similar to what I hunt.
I usually set up on a stool, w/rifle on my shoulder, resting on sticks & pointed down the sendero/pipeline etc. to provide for minimal movement if/when I get a customer, because more often than not they are looking in my direction when the appear. I place my call & decoy on the upwind side of the sendero, hoping the coyote will expose himself before getting a whiff of scent on the call. Occasionally sweeten the deal w/added mouth calls which increases the odds that the coyote or cat will be looking in my direction on arrival, so you need to be ready to respond quickly.

Critters often peek out of brush opposite of call and scope out the situation before proceeding (or retreating), especially cats

Once satisfied cats proceed to investigate source of call. Decoys especially effective on cats.

I'm sure you are aware of taking advantage of sitting in shade w/sun to your back where possible. Prey distress, don't forget bird sounds, year round, sometimes open with an invitational howl, but this time of year use vocals predominately, sprinkling in some prey sounds in the middle and close most stands w/pup distress. Sit a few after stopping the call, as the curious sometimes show themselves late. For whatever reason, coyotes are not very vocal in my area, outside of mating season so I rely on tracks/scat to locate when (seldomly) hunting unfamiliar ground.

Have called coyotes at all hours of the day, but usually hunt half hour before sunrise until about 10:30-11 AM and 3:00 PM until dark thiry. I need my beauty sleep midday, ya know. (It isn't workin')

Keep after them, it'll come together one of these days.
Oh, and by the way, welcome to PM!

 

[dirtytough]

My main questions are this. What times of day do you find are best for hunting coyotes?

I usually think morning/evening but then some days I have the most action mid day.

What calling sequences work best for you?

I’m random. I usually play a prey distress, fight, pup distress. The other day I started with vocals and had a coyote that wouldn’t come in. After rolling through multiple sounds I finally played a rabbit and here it came.

How long do you usually give each stand?

15ish minutes. If it looks good, lots of sign, coyotes are howling, I see some in the distance, etc, I’ll sit longer.

Do you verbally locate your coyotes before hunting them, or do blind stands where there are tracks / sightings?

Usually blind stands. Out here though I believe you are almost always in earshot of a coyote. Whether it wants to come in or not is another story.

Any advice is appreciated though!

I don’t know what it’s like there. I’ve never been. But if it’s thick I would think about hunting them in the thick stuff with a shotgun. If the density is low I would definitely try to locate ahead of time.

If it is thick watch some vids on YouTube. I know Torry Cook from MFK hunts thick stuff with a shotgun and has multiple vids out.

Lots of good podcasts out the. Predator Pro’s, Fox Pro, etc.

 

[Yotarunner]

I am not as well versed in thick bush hunting but the one tip that I found quite helpful is to focus on approach and setup way more than everything else. If you are in a coyotes area and he hears or sees you setup then your sound sequence or time of day isn't going to make a difference.
So when walking in I prefer to crawl under fences to avoid squeaking wires and will often call from behind ridges and bush to avoid skylining myself.
Time of day can be anytime but mornings and evenings are best.
Listen to the foxpro podcasts for great info on sound sequences for different times of year. They go into way more depth than I can on a forum.
I don't usually locate coyotes but I am always looking for tracks and sign that they are in an area.

 

[borkon]

Get in the cover with a shotgun.