Hi all, I have been searching for a while but haven't been able to find the answers I'm looking for. I was wondering if anybody has used or heard of decoy dogs that work off of smell or sound rather than sight? Is it plausible to train a dog to go to a howl, work a chunk of woods from the downwind side, or follow a track and return with a coyote in tow? I have heard of guys "casting" their dog out at a set, but that's a little broad.
Here's some background for that question: I live in the east and generally hunt small fields or wooded chunks - if I see a coyote it's almost always well within range, however, coyotes in the east are a little tougher to get to break cover or prevent them from circling downwind. The result is a lot of sets where there was likely a coyote interested, but we never saw him. My interest in decoy dogs is there ability to keep a coyote sidetracked and lead them to an area where there will be ample shot opportunity. The issue I see is that decoying based on sight would not be effective in the terrain and cover that I hunt because if I see them I can already shoot them.
Thanks in advance for any replies!
Here's some background for that question: I live in the east and generally hunt small fields or wooded chunks - if I see a coyote it's almost always well within range, however, coyotes in the east are a little tougher to get to break cover or prevent them from circling downwind. The result is a lot of sets where there was likely a coyote interested, but we never saw him. My interest in decoy dogs is there ability to keep a coyote sidetracked and lead them to an area where there will be ample shot opportunity. The issue I see is that decoying based on sight would not be effective in the terrain and cover that I hunt because if I see them I can already shoot them.
Thanks in advance for any replies!