I've been doing this since 1964 in central Iowa. Thought I'd pass on what I've learned. Much through my own error's.
Equipment: Get a good pair of binoculars. Wear camo, that is close in color/pattern to the terrain you hunt. I also cammo my rifle. A good spotting-scope (40power eyepiece minimum) with a window mount. Will also help in verifying a long range dog(saves on time/walking in on rocks & weed clumps, ect).
Spot/Stalk:
They almost always lay out of the wind 98% of the time, especially if its cold or strong. I've only seen about a dozen total, that this didn't apply. When their balled-up, most will be facing South(toward the SUN).They will mostly face the opposite of the wind direction, or have their back toward the wind. Coyotes generally will lay deeper out into a mile section than fox. Almost all of the time, they(both) will be on a hillside. Typically the middle to the top. Or if a large hill has a cleft or valley, they like them as well.
Often when you stop to glass an area, they'll be looking at you first. Drive past them right away, or they'll spook. Before you stalk-in, drive past them. Looking at the layout of the land. Noting various landmarks(fence-posts, trees, rocks, structure, ect). Because once you walk out, the terrain will look different, & you might lose sight of where they are. You need to have a baring on their location first, prior to stalking. Use any cover to conceal your stalk, such as a hillside. I try to keep them in visual contact during the stalk. With only my head above the horizon,(in their view). Because if you don't, some will be gone when you've humped clear out,= not good.
eg; While standing upright while looking at them. Squat down about a foot. If you can still see them. You have more than your head exposed, to their line of sight.
Walk into the wind or atleast a X-wind. Walk slowly(cuts down on noise). Watch what your stepping on, some things make loud noises. Only cross over or through a "Fence" as a last resort. As they often will creek, sending a "Telegraph-noise" to your predator. Even if you can't hear it, sound travels quite well on fence-wire.
If the predator is looking your way, "DON'T MOVE" until they look away. If you "have" to move, do it "very slowly"
They have good peripheral vision. Even while being completly white, including my gun. I've had a handful of coyotes see me move. Fox IMO, don't have the eye-sight of coyotes.
I've used the noise of trains, airplanes(overhead,duh!) & vehicles going down a road. To help conceal any noise I might be making during the stalk. Don't count on the wind(even if its strong) to drown out any noise you make.
Shooting:
If you are high on a hill(prone) & so is the predator on the next hill, and you miss the first shot. He'll most likey kick-in the after burners. Whereas if he's laying low in a valley, below your hill. They will often be confused as to where the shot came from...(Echo-Effect). They will then usually run a short ways, sometimes in a circle. While looking around, trying to put a bearing on your gun noise. This often will afford you another shot, be patient.
Addendum; As I'm stalking & getting closer to the coyote(within shooting range). I'll start walking very slow, kinda like "baby-steps"LOL! As this allows myself time to get my pulse & respirs back down to normal. Sometimes, I'll walk 20ft or so, then pause for 15 seconds or more. Besides if the snow has a crust, by going slow & pausing. Ya won't sound like a heard of cattle in a china shop.
Hope this helps.
Equipment: Get a good pair of binoculars. Wear camo, that is close in color/pattern to the terrain you hunt. I also cammo my rifle. A good spotting-scope (40power eyepiece minimum) with a window mount. Will also help in verifying a long range dog(saves on time/walking in on rocks & weed clumps, ect).
Spot/Stalk:
They almost always lay out of the wind 98% of the time, especially if its cold or strong. I've only seen about a dozen total, that this didn't apply. When their balled-up, most will be facing South(toward the SUN).They will mostly face the opposite of the wind direction, or have their back toward the wind. Coyotes generally will lay deeper out into a mile section than fox. Almost all of the time, they(both) will be on a hillside. Typically the middle to the top. Or if a large hill has a cleft or valley, they like them as well.
Often when you stop to glass an area, they'll be looking at you first. Drive past them right away, or they'll spook. Before you stalk-in, drive past them. Looking at the layout of the land. Noting various landmarks(fence-posts, trees, rocks, structure, ect). Because once you walk out, the terrain will look different, & you might lose sight of where they are. You need to have a baring on their location first, prior to stalking. Use any cover to conceal your stalk, such as a hillside. I try to keep them in visual contact during the stalk. With only my head above the horizon,(in their view). Because if you don't, some will be gone when you've humped clear out,= not good.
eg; While standing upright while looking at them. Squat down about a foot. If you can still see them. You have more than your head exposed, to their line of sight.
Walk into the wind or atleast a X-wind. Walk slowly(cuts down on noise). Watch what your stepping on, some things make loud noises. Only cross over or through a "Fence" as a last resort. As they often will creek, sending a "Telegraph-noise" to your predator. Even if you can't hear it, sound travels quite well on fence-wire.
If the predator is looking your way, "DON'T MOVE" until they look away. If you "have" to move, do it "very slowly"
They have good peripheral vision. Even while being completly white, including my gun. I've had a handful of coyotes see me move. Fox IMO, don't have the eye-sight of coyotes.
I've used the noise of trains, airplanes(overhead,duh!) & vehicles going down a road. To help conceal any noise I might be making during the stalk. Don't count on the wind(even if its strong) to drown out any noise you make.
Shooting:
If you are high on a hill(prone) & so is the predator on the next hill, and you miss the first shot. He'll most likey kick-in the after burners. Whereas if he's laying low in a valley, below your hill. They will often be confused as to where the shot came from...(Echo-Effect). They will then usually run a short ways, sometimes in a circle. While looking around, trying to put a bearing on your gun noise. This often will afford you another shot, be patient.
Addendum; As I'm stalking & getting closer to the coyote(within shooting range). I'll start walking very slow, kinda like "baby-steps"LOL! As this allows myself time to get my pulse & respirs back down to normal. Sometimes, I'll walk 20ft or so, then pause for 15 seconds or more. Besides if the snow has a crust, by going slow & pausing. Ya won't sound like a heard of cattle in a china shop.
Hope this helps.
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