A coyote is a coyote is a coyote no mater where he lives providing he is full-blooded. It is the coyotes associations and proximities to people that promote certain behaviors that make him appear to be smart. In more densely populated areas the coyotes see humans more often and are consequently more leery. Out west coyotes are “for lack of a better word” less sophisticated than their eastern cousins because western coyotes don’t “have” to live close to humans if they don’t want to. Eastern coyotes for the most part don’t have that luxury. I think if you transplanted 100 western coyotes in PA they would adapt or be killed and like wise if you took 100 eastern coyotes to SD they would adapt or be killed. I don’t think just because they cross an imaginary line they gain or lose IQ points. Coyotes are simply products of their environment and they are not as smart as people give them credit for. It is their sneaky behavior and shyness that some confuse with intelligentsia. They are cunning to the max and can associate danger with gunshots, calls, roads, cars, tractors and what ever else that scares them. Only the coyote knows how long he can retain those associations. Eastern coyotes and/or any other coyotes that live near people are likely to be reminded more frequently of the danger that man possess than the western or the more rural coyotes making them appear “smarter.”
Just because a coyote is a coyote doesn’t mean he will act or respond the same everywhere. There are way to many variables to consider so there is no one technique or stile of hunting that is universal. Coyotes will respond to distress sounds and to howls. How you apply those sounds depends on geography, time of day, time of year, the weather and so on. Learning what works in your area is part of the fun and is what keeps you coming back.
Good hunting.
Q-Wagoner