Shot placement for coyotes...with a shotgun?

bowhunter57

bowhunter57

Well-known member
When hunting coyotes with a shotgun, what are you "aiming" at, the head or the chest?

Your opinions and experiences are appreciated.
Thank you, Bowhunter57
 
There are so many ways to answer this question. It really depends on the shot angle, distance and what type of shot you use.

When I am calling in close quarters, I use 3 1/2" XX and anything inside of 25 yards I just aim directly at the front shoulder. I have found that I get a large amount of the pellets in the animal, and seem to always hit the lungs if not the heart.

When a coyote is running broadside, I aim directly at the temple. This has been the most successful for me.

If a coyote gets spooked and is running away, I aim between the ears hoping to get some shot into the back of the neck.
 
Originally Posted By: NorcalkyleThere are so many ways to answer this question. It really depends on the shot angle, distance and what type of shot you use.

When I am calling in close quarters, I use 3 1/2" XX and anything inside of 25 yards I just aim directly at the front shoulder. I have found that I get a large amount of the pellets in the animal, and seem to always hit the lungs if not the heart.

When a coyote is running broadside, I aim directly at the temple. This has been the most successful for me.

If a coyote gets spooked and is running away, I aim between the ears hoping to get some shot into the back of the neck.

great info here!
 
When the coyotes are running towards me I point my shotgun at the front of them.

When they are running straight away from me I point my shotgun at their back end.

If they are just standing there looking my way I shoot for the neck. If I center the pattern on the neck some of the pellets will also hit the chest and the head.
 
Most of the coyotes I've shotgunned have been standing broadside for the most part. Personally, I point for center mass of the whole lung area, purdy much just behind the shoulder.
I shot a couple that were facing straight on and aimed a few inches below the chin, again, center mass on the lung area.
My results have been all of them have dropped in there tracks as the wave of pellets hits them. A couple were not dead right away, but died before I could get to them.
HTH
 
When using a shotgun, I ALWAYS want the brunt of the pellets to hit in the head/neck region.

My actual "point of aim", or "lead" depends on the coyote's ground speed & angle/direction of travel.
I won't elaborate on this today, as I know everyone has a different opinion based on their own experience, & I see no reason to split hairs today.LOL
But, I have shot several times more coyotes with a shotgun over the years, than I have with a rifle.LOL
 


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