Summer vs Winter Coyotes

Samsquanch

Samsquanch

Active member
Curious as to everyone's take on hunting summer vs winter. I myself hunt for fur so winter is for me. I'd love to shoot coyotes year round but a softer side doesn't want to starve a den of pups. I don't have any issues with those who do hunt/call through the summer, I'd just like to hear about those summer coyote tactics if they differ at all from hunting winter. Right now the weather is trying to start to cool off and days are getting shorter here in SE Colorado so I know I'll be out before long chasing Wiley.
 
Up here in the north every summer dog shot is $80-100 lost. I prefer to wait til hides are prime and worth money before I start hunting them. I have shot a few non prime dogs before for ranchers and have had a few experiences that I don't like like having to put down a tiny little puppy and shooting a female that's stomach moved with unborn pups still alive inside her.
I know many like to hunt year round but to me coyote hunting is a fall/winter game
 
Kinda depends on where your shooting I guess.
Ranchers LOVE me to come to shoot their coyotes when there caving or anytime. One dead may mean 3 dead.
Sad but true. We have a "shoulder cow elk season"
Every cow shot is pregnant the season runs to march.
It is a two for one kill kinda thing.
Killing 5 coyotes in Fubuweary only kills 5 Killing 5 in April may kill 20...
Sorry just facts of life.
 
Originally Posted By: jetmanKinda depends on where your shooting I guess.
Ranchers LOVE me to come to shoot their coyotes when there caving or anytime. One dead may mean 3 dead.
Sad but true. We have a "shoulder cow elk season"
Every cow shot is pregnant the season runs to march.
It is a two for one kill kinda thing.
Killing 5 coyotes in Fubuweary only kills 5 Killing 5 in April may kill 20...
Sorry just facts of life.

I have the same opinion on it pretty much. It all boils down to what you're wanting out of coyote calling. If you're wanting to knock down the numbers calling year round is for you. And calling alone isn't the best way to achieve that. Trapping is far more affecting if you're really wanting to knock down coyote numbers.

If you're wanting to sell fur then Winter is best. Personally I shoot coyotes in the Winter. But there is an exception to that. If I see a coyote with mange any time of year I'll shoot it. If that coyote is in a den full of pups they'll have it too. It's a vicious cycle so I take those out of the population when I can. In turn it's better off for coyotes as a whole.
 
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Your math is off a little, kill 5 females anytime and they won't have pups in the spring, waiting until April isn't going to do anything but waste fur. Personally I wouldn't mind a season on coyotes on PUBLIC lands.

I like hunting coyotes much more than big game and they have little effect on ducks.

 
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Originally Posted By: OKRattlerOriginally Posted By: jetmanKinda depends on where your shooting I guess.
Ranchers LOVE me to come to shoot their coyotes when there caving or anytime. One dead may mean 3 dead.
Sad but true. We have a "shoulder cow elk season"
Every cow shot is pregnant the season runs to march.
It is a two for one kill kinda thing.
Killing 5 coyotes in Fubuweary only kills 5 Killing 5 in April may kill 20...
Sorry just facts of life.

I have the same opinion on it pretty much. It all boils down to what you're wanting out of coyote calling. If you're wanting to knock down the numbers calling year round is for you. And calling alone isn't the best way to achieve that. Trapping is far more affecting if you're really wanting to knock down coyote numbers.

If you're wanting to sell fur then Winter is best. Personally I shoot coyotes in the Winter. But there is an exception to that. If I see a coyote with mange any time of year I'll shoot it. If that coyote is in a den full of pups they'll have it too. It's a vicious cycle so I take those out of the population when I can. In turn it's better off for coyotes as a whole.

I should have reworded the OP a bit. I will also shoot one with mange anytime of year in hopes to keep the population a bit more healthy and also to provide for better fur in the winter.
 
Not everywhere has good fur. I aint skinning a coyote for 10 bucks.

I only hunt in the summer to use my dogs. I dont kill many and kill the bulk in July when the pups are weened.

The tactics are much different. I never play a rabbit in the summer.

I do hate to see the increased summer pressure of people just killing to be killing. It never gives them a break and they get wise to the game. I know, I do it too, but I let more coyotes run off than I kill. I just enjoy working my dogs. Not judging anyone.

What I dont do is play it up like Im a hero out saving fawns. They can eat them all as far as Im concerned.
 
I hunt them when I can. I don't have good calling out my back door, so when I have an opportunity to hunt them. I take it. General rifle season kicks off this Saturday and my son has his first elk tag to fill. December 1 my hounds get put to work. Coyotes will have to wait.
But I had a blast this summer..
 


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