I've read several times around here that coyotes will usually circle and approach downwind of their prey. Keeping that in my mind, should I set my call facing upwind and keep my eyes on the downwind side? I hunt alone in open spaces so it's just about impossible to keep a 360 watch without making tons of movement. Thanks for any suggestions.
Should I be watching my upwind or downwind?
- Thread starter zeke32
- Start date
huntinaz
New member
I try to set up so I can see where I think they'll come from and where they will be moving if they are heading downwind. I don't watch the area I walked in from.
They don't always head downwind, and even when they do often times they don't start their downwind cirlce until they are close, like inside 50 yards.
They don't always head downwind, and even when they do often times they don't start their downwind cirlce until they are close, like inside 50 yards.
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possumal
New member
zeke32, you'll get a lot of different opinions on this. I like the face the ecaller quartering with the wind, pointed to the side of the wind direction I want the coyotes to show up in. Around here, that results in them coming from the downwind side most of the time but not downwind from my perch. I want the wind to be going toward where I believe them to be but I'm careful to sit down where my scent is not likely to go to where they are.
Predkiller
New member
Crosswind here also but face toward the downwind side
Redfrog
Moderator
There really is no wrong way as you will see form the replies in this thread. Every stand is different. I like to set up and call into the wind, but I usually have someone watching the downwind side. That's just a personal thing, like wearing my lucky sox, or hat etc.
The thing about coyote calling that makes it so appealing is the unpredictability. You can't say they will always come downwind, upwind, to a certain call, or a certain time of day.
Don't be afraid to try different stuff.
My personal challenge is calling in strong winds, especially when the temps are -30.
The thing about coyote calling that makes it so appealing is the unpredictability. You can't say they will always come downwind, upwind, to a certain call, or a certain time of day.
Don't be afraid to try different stuff.
My personal challenge is calling in strong winds, especially when the temps are -30.
canislatrans54
New member
Originally Posted By: huntinazI try to set up so I can see where I think they'll come from and where they will be moving if they are heading downwind. I don't watch the area I walked in from.
They don't always head downwind, and even when they do often times they don't start their downwind cirlce until they are close, like inside 50 yards.
Almost exactly the same way that I do it. ^^^^^^^^
Admittedly, this sometimes has backfired on me.
They don't always head downwind, and even when they do often times they don't start their downwind cirlce until they are close, like inside 50 yards.
Almost exactly the same way that I do it. ^^^^^^^^
Admittedly, this sometimes has backfired on me.
SlickerThanSnot
New member
Originally Posted By: RedfrogThere really is no wrong way as you will see form the replies in this thread. Every stand is different. I like to set up and call into the wind, but I usually have someone watching the downwind side. That's just a personal thing, like wearing my lucky sox, or hat etc.
The thing about coyote calling that makes it so appealing is the unpredictability. You can't say they will always come downwind, upwind, to a certain call, or a certain time of day.
Don't be afraid to try different stuff.
agree.
The thing about coyote calling that makes it so appealing is the unpredictability. You can't say they will always come downwind, upwind, to a certain call, or a certain time of day.
Don't be afraid to try different stuff.
agree.
Powerstroke99
New member
Originally Posted By: possumalzeke32, you'll get a lot of different opinions on this. I like the face the ecaller quartering with the wind, pointed to the side of the wind direction I want the coyotes to show up in. Around here, that results in them coming from the downwind side most of the time but not downwind from my perch. I want the wind to be going toward where I believe them to be but I'm careful to sit down where my scent is not likely to go to where they are.
Interesting technique. I have read where other folks are adamant about the wind being FROM where they think the coyotes are located and you want it blowing TOWARD them. Do you feel they are more comfortable responding to the call if they can get downwind early?
Interesting technique. I have read where other folks are adamant about the wind being FROM where they think the coyotes are located and you want it blowing TOWARD them. Do you feel they are more comfortable responding to the call if they can get downwind early?
There have been some good points made here.
I, like many, like a crosswind. My other favorite is with the wind at my back, but not blowing directly into where I think they will come from. I am not at all a fan of calling with the wind in my face. It leaves too many unattended in my opinion.
I agree that coyotes often will not circle downwind until very close. I like this because it does afford the opportunity of having them between you and the call. I guess no matter how nice a guys driver is, he probably knows sinking a 3 ft putt is the safe bet. Don't play golf... And not great with analogies... I'm sure I just made both of those obvious. Ha.
I, like many, like a crosswind. My other favorite is with the wind at my back, but not blowing directly into where I think they will come from. I am not at all a fan of calling with the wind in my face. It leaves too many unattended in my opinion.
I agree that coyotes often will not circle downwind until very close. I like this because it does afford the opportunity of having them between you and the call. I guess no matter how nice a guys driver is, he probably knows sinking a 3 ft putt is the safe bet. Don't play golf... And not great with analogies... I'm sure I just made both of those obvious. Ha.
BangPop
Active member
After a good long while calling coyotes, I am convinced that they respond differently, relative to the wind direction, in different parts of the country. The area that I hunt most frequently they rarely circle downwind. I've seen them come from probably 1000 yards out and its as if they are attached to a string line. Assuming there is no terrain feature that they have to maneuver around, they head straight to the sound. Other areas of the country with more cover and more hunting pressure, it seems that they will circle downwind more often. I think coyote density (think competition) makes a difference also. It "I better hurry up and get that hurting bunny before my buddy gets it" reaction. They head to the call the quickest way they can get there.....straight in. YMMV
Huntnyotes
New member
Definitely have to pay attention to downwind side as much as upwind.
Colorado Coyotes
New member
Originally Posted By: tripod3The biggest percentage coming into my sets are downwind when using distressed prey sounds.
The percentage changes during breeding season when using vocals, it becomes much more unpredictable or even shocking.
Yep^
The percentage changes during breeding season when using vocals, it becomes much more unpredictable or even shocking.
Yep^
There is no set direction they will come from. Although with that said here in Utah where there are a lot of coyotes and I might add ALOT of hunters and pressure I see many of them circle to the down wind side.
Although on Tuesday morning I howled in two. Both came from opposite directions and neither were from directly down wind. I was about ready to pack up and leave then I noticed the first one after about 30 minutes upwind to my left. It was about 400 Yds out sitting on its rear looking my direction. I was watching it with my binoculars, it sat for a minute or two while I howled once more then started trotting away.
While watching it, I did a kiyi and it stopped and turned immediately and started trotting back towards me (again from up wind) it got to within abt 200 yards (still coming) I was so focused on it I never noticed one to my right ( kinda cross wind) until i heard it barking at me. I looked around my binos to my right and saw a big male standing about 120 Yds. Facing me straight on. It startled me abit because I was in wide open grassland and I had no idea there was another one even in the area.
I turned my shooting sticks to shoot the big male. It seemed like such an easy shot, I've made it many times. I was thinking double with my new OSS suppressor. I shot it spun and went down. I turned on the one to my left it was now trotting away and out of the corner of my eye the big male was up and off to the races. I know this but the moral of the story is always make sure you have a single before you try for the double. I've only have one spinner and runner with my rifle since last April and I killed a bunch of coyotes. Although I have missed about 10 within 100 Yds I should have killed. I need to work on my shooting and find a way to calm the coyote fever I seem to get.
Back to the point of this post they can come from anywhere.
Sorry got carried away
Although on Tuesday morning I howled in two. Both came from opposite directions and neither were from directly down wind. I was about ready to pack up and leave then I noticed the first one after about 30 minutes upwind to my left. It was about 400 Yds out sitting on its rear looking my direction. I was watching it with my binoculars, it sat for a minute or two while I howled once more then started trotting away.
While watching it, I did a kiyi and it stopped and turned immediately and started trotting back towards me (again from up wind) it got to within abt 200 yards (still coming) I was so focused on it I never noticed one to my right ( kinda cross wind) until i heard it barking at me. I looked around my binos to my right and saw a big male standing about 120 Yds. Facing me straight on. It startled me abit because I was in wide open grassland and I had no idea there was another one even in the area.
I turned my shooting sticks to shoot the big male. It seemed like such an easy shot, I've made it many times. I was thinking double with my new OSS suppressor. I shot it spun and went down. I turned on the one to my left it was now trotting away and out of the corner of my eye the big male was up and off to the races. I know this but the moral of the story is always make sure you have a single before you try for the double. I've only have one spinner and runner with my rifle since last April and I killed a bunch of coyotes. Although I have missed about 10 within 100 Yds I should have killed. I need to work on my shooting and find a way to calm the coyote fever I seem to get.
Back to the point of this post they can come from anywhere.
Sorry got carried away