Threat Bark Howl

Threat/bark howl, and the term "challenge" howl means the same thing to me. There was a time period in my howling for coyotes mind, that I believed a bark/threat howl should always be answered with my best effort to imitate exactly what the coyote just said. That was back in the time when I thought I knew more about coyote language than I actually did, and that may well still be the case. At any rate, I now believe that non aggresive howls are the best type of howls to use most of the time. I wouldn't go so far as to say that I NEVER use a bark or bark/threat howl while calling coyotes, just don't use it as often as I once did.
 
Listen to Rich. It's not the first or even probably the tenth choice in my bag of tricks, but when nothing else works, you might as well try whatever you have, you've got nothing to lose at that point.
 
I sense some confusion between a "threat" and a "challange". A threat bark is a warning that something is wrong or suspicious and the coyote feels threatened or intimidated. This applies the brakes to any incoming coyotes. This is an alarm to all nearby coyotes who go on automatic alert for potential danger. 90% of the time this alarm puts the stand in the tank. I have no use for it.
 
There will likely always be disagreement among humans as to what such and such of a yip, bark or howl means to a coyote. I think there probably IS a warning sound that Momma coyote says to her pups when they are real young. Chickens and turkeys have a certain sound they use when they sense danger, so I reckon that coyotes have that ability also. I must confess that this is biggest reason I don't advocate the use of barking very much when trying to call coyotes to the gun. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif When a coyote hangs up out of sight and yaps, I can tell the difference in the tone or "inflection" in that yap from the tone or inflection of a ticked off Yote that is threatening to kick my arse if I don't get out of Dodge. I believe that the hidden yapper is simply frustrated because he wants to come in but feels that something ain't right.
 
sorry for any confusion

what I was meaning was indeed the "something isnt right" bark/howl, not a challenge howl /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif


thanks for the replies! much appreciated /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
Don't appologize, that's why we're here. Rich and I don't disagree on this, we just have different terminology for the same vocalization. Your question was a good one, in that it helps us all get on the same page. Standardizing nomenclature is the first step in effective communication. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

There are very subtle differences in barks, so, as Rich says, be careful when you use them. Unless you are very sure you know the difference between a threat and a challenge bark, you could ruin your stand. And don't initiate the challenge. Only use it as a response to a challenge, and then only sparingly. Make it a wimpy challenge response, or you might scare the challenger off if you sound like a 60 lb. intruder. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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Not meaning to hijack this thread (but it looks like I am doing so anyway) if it is best for beginning callers to stay away barks period what vocalizations are best to stay with and does a caller with a howler need to mix it up anyway?
 
I use mostly lonesome sounding howls and pup squeals. It is hard to beat that combo for calling smart old coyotes. Sometimes just a few pup squeals can bring that yapper out in the open. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Interesting stuff. Rich is on it. I believe these barks are real close to a bunch of gang bangers shooting off their mouth. Usually someone is going to back down, because they don't have a dominant demeaner. I have had an experiance where I was messing aroud with three coyotes one night. I was really ticking them off with challenge calls. I messed with them for about 20 minutes. They even sent one around & I know he winded us, but they wouldn't leave. They were behind a pond damn that they were using as security. After a while they played out & left. This is the onlytime this hass ever happened. Most of the time they will just avoid the confrentation with another tuff sounding coyote. I agree sound like a 15 pound pup that wants to start a fight. Like gang bangers, they will come out for an easy fight. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I've called in a few coyotes using a challenge bark/howl. Three instances particularly stick in my mind.

The first was using my loudmouth with Rich Higgins threat/bark recorded while simultaneously using my Cronk howler about fifty yards away and answering the Loudmouth. Brought in a pair on that stand.

The second was when I was on the receiving end of a threat bark/howl when walking to a stand. I sat right down and commenced to challenging that coyote. That dog never did come in, but a pretty aggresive male came flying down the adjacent hillside right to the gun. I didn't see him until he was almost in my lap.

The third was when hunting with Crapshoot and we got hollered at by a hidden coyote. I signaled to him to howl and we started a little verbal battle between us until a curious little coyote popped his head up in the bushes and Lance took him out.

It's not my first choice for calling, but there are instances where it does work.
 
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