Summer vs. Winter?

cland72

New member
I've been told that nighttime predator hunting is better in the winter. The reasoning I've been given is that animals will move more when it is colder out (same reason we spend more time inside during the summer months).

Any truth to this?

Thanks fellas
 
Okay! Here ya go. If a predator had the ability to build a fire and produce heat, he wouldn't move or be as active during colder weather. But he doesn't have that ability. In order for him to stay warm, he has to take on groceries. He stays warm by the calories he eats. Calories in turn generate energy which allows him to hunt and gain more food.

The best calling setup I have ever expereinced was in 9* degree weather. I had seven sets of eyes show up at the same time, and no it wasn't a pack of coyotes but individual gray foxes all arriving at high speed. They have to feed to stay warm, make sense?
 
I like calling during the summer my outfitting slows down not to many people want to hunt in Texas during the summer. I go at least 15 days out of the month personally may-Sept. Last month on a 5 day stretch in Laredo we killed 9 bobcat missed 3 with a bow and several others we didn't get a shot at killed 15 coyotes 7 were pups. In august we killed 2 cats over 40 pounds monsters. We went to west texas several times and were loaded up with fox had to beat them off or let them go to try and get a few bobcat. We killed 4 fox and got winded on one other in one night on my 400 acres where I live in the hill country. That was the best night I have ever had on the place winter or summer (we raise bobwhite flight birds so you got to stay on top of predators). Texas might be an exception to the rule. But the way I look at it is they don't quit eating during the summer so I give em heck. the coyotes are ugly, but I think short hair on a cat makes a nice mount can put a lot of muscle detail if you have a good Taxidermist.
Clay Pope
 
Pruson, I tend to agree with you but not 100%, there are always exceptions to the rule in this sport. Some of my best hunts for coyote were in Aug and Sept...reason being, young dumb ones. Even in the west, the odds go up during a light snow or right after a snow, that also holds true for rain. I've always said, when you think you have it all figured out, they teach you something new. Good Hunting
 
During March or just prior to denning season the "over all" coyote population is at its very lowest point of the year. Just after whelping season that will be done by May for the most part the coyotes population will be at the highest point of the year. You will not notice it though for several months. The mother will be in and around the Den for several weekes leaving only to water letting the male and sometimes beta female to do the hunting for her and her pups. That is why when you see pics from people who choose to hunt at that time of the year they are almost always killing adult males and young dry females. They are killing the providers.

At this time even though there are technically more coyotes at any time of the year there will be the least amount running around. Food is also in plenty so the coyotes have to hunt less. Calling success will really pick up during late July and August because the puppies are out and about and will readily respond to calls. Late September into October can be some of the very best calling of the year for a couple of reasons. One because all of the pups are out on there own and more widely distributed and secondly most people are not hunting yet so you have all of the coyotes to your self.

Winter and late winter can be great as well. Coyotes fallow the food scorches so if you can find them you will find the coyotes in the area.

Summer or winter coyotes still eat but a coyotes response to a distress call is not about hunger. It is more of a knee jerk reaction than anything. They are wired to respond in one way or another to a call no matter what time of year. You will have the least amount of luck when the least coyotes hear the call and the most when the most hear it. It all roles back to location and coyote density.



Good hunting,

Q,
 
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Q, you always give the right answers....But didn't you just say what I did? Aug and Sept are usually the best months for killing coyotes? Remember...I'm old so be good to me.
 
Thanks for the advice guys, guess I'll have to mount up and get going here in a couple of weeks.

I'll keep PM posted w/ pics when/if I get something.
 
I didn't mean to flagrantly plagiarize you honestly. When there is only one truth, redundancy should be expected. You just beat me to it that's all. LOL Look up any thread on the 17 hmr and coyotes. See if you can count how many different ways people try to tell you that shot placement is key. LOL It sounds like a broken record.

Good hunting.

Q,
 
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