Wisconsin Predator Hunter

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Dan25

New member
I hunt in Central Wi and am having one tough year. Not sure if the coyote numbers are down or what. We kill an average of 5-10 coyotes per year by strictly calling. This year we haven't got one yet. I do think the mating has started here in the past week based on sightings and tracks. Has anyone else near Central WI experienced the same results? Are the coyotes starting to vocalize anywhere or showing signs of mating? Any feedback would be appreciated.
 
Dan, I'm seeing a lot of posts right now where the coyotes are coming in on coyote vocals and pup distress. It may be getting to be that time of year where you are as well.
 
I actually killed one 2 nights ago and the coyotes really started to talk. Responding very well to howls. How many have you killed so far this year? Do you think the numbers are down near you? Thanks for posting. I knew their had to more than one predator hunter is Wisconsin.
 
I also hunt by my cabin on the north side of Marathon County and I must say, walking on snowshoes in 2 to 3 feet of snow from 1/4 to 1/2 mile does not suit me so well. So I really haven't been doing much at all this year YET. However I will now that the rut will be going on with the yotes. And a full moon coming. Have to find th game trails now where i hunt.
I don't know if that may keep some back or maybe just me.
 
I hunt west central WI started about 8 years ago no one else around here doing it, made about 80 stands killed 11 yotes and fox that year saw about as many that I didn't get. Down hill from there last couple years only saw a couple. Reasons why? a lot more people calling, more pressure, I don't call during the Full moon at night anymore, saw more fur for number of sets at night verses day time, number of sets I make is way down only make about 15 sets a year. So if you want to kill fur you have to make a lot of sets! You will call more fur at night than during the day critters feel safer in dark, just be careful make sure of your target while night hunting. and be patient I would make a ton of stands seeing nothing then the next stand call in a double or a triple, so just keep at it.
 
I hunt western Wi
It's been a tough year
The deep snow had kept me out of areas that I normally hunt. Plus I'm not seeing any sign.
I have not killed one this year, due mostly because I haven't been out much, but likely also due to lack of dogs in the area
 
Death ray, you say u don't call at night during full moon, but see more fur during night sets? Are you getting out when moon is half full? Or hunting with shotgun and getting them really close?
 
Always called during full moon period, just haven't been calling at night anymore, getting old and that warm bed is looking better than a snow covered hill at 3 in the morning! But when I was calling the full moon sure saw a lot of critters.
 
We haven't been seening any signs to speak of this whole year. Called in 3 shot 2 in the first moon and nothing since. Saw two 1/2 mile off the road, stopped behind snow bank to look at them. They were laying down as soon as I stopped they sat up and looked at me. Even the dog hunter are not seeing signs of them, just a bad year.
 
I have been out almost every weekend and a couple days a week. from what I have been seeing is they are not traveling as much and seem to be staying close to farms or constant food source. I have checked a few old dens and found them in use. The one day my brother and myself hiked 10 miles of land in the deep snow without snow shoes. Most of the heavy coyote and fox signs that we found was around small valleys with farms in them. One thing that we have been noticing is an abundant amount of bobcat tracks. We had one come in two weeks ago to pup distress. We have gotten a few coyotes during day with a high pitched cottontail. the sound is between an adult and baby cotton tail. we haven't had much luck and we have tried various sounds. I haven't done much night hunting so i am not sure what will work there. During trapping season I let my snares do the work and i stay warm. I may do some night hunting this weekend though.
 
I have been out alot as well. I have night hunted about 2 times a week and done alot of daytime walking; looking for predators. I would agree that the animals seem to be traveling less than usual. I believe the number one factor is the abundance of rodents and rabbits this year. There seems to be an abundance of food in small woodlots and fencelines. The numbers are definately down for coyotes though. Hopefully this week gets better. Good luck.
 
Shot another coyote 2 nights ago. Still having good luck with female howls. It was a small pup, but it the best looking fur I have ever shot. I called in 2 and were running to decoy; they stopped after sniffing me,and shot one at 110 yards. It was a pretty cool moonlight set. I couldn't get on the second one for a shot. The snow finally softened up and makes my walks in quiet. Anyone else in Wisconsin seeing an increase in activity? I will try an upload a picture if I can figure it out.
 
This Saturday was a bust for me.
Made several sets in varying areas (logging areas in hardwoods, logging areas in pine trees, cut corn field by pine plantation, creek bottoms with thick balsams).
Zero coyote sign. Zero coyote seen.
Lots of deer sign around...could get around without snowshoes by walking deer trails.

There just didn't seem to be any in the area I was in.
 
I would say that your biggest asset with coyote hunting is knowing where they are. You can't call them in if there not there. It really pays to check for tracks and to try and figure out their movements and where they like to bed down for the day. Sometimes the snow is too deep for them to get around, or the wolves could have pushed them out. I am sure there are coyotes, but maybe small pockets away from the wolves and on higher ground, or maybe closer to the outskirts of towns.
 
Hey fellow cheeseheads,just got back from a afternoon hunt.I walked 3 miles in on a snowmobile trail that goes thru private land, cedarswamps,creekbottoms,tagalders which I have permission to hunt and I never cut a track.I made 1 set with not much confidence, we got 5" of snow last nite on top of already 3 feet of snow,now we are going to get another 8" to 12" this thursday.even with snowshoes its difficult to get off of trail 50yds or so.I think I may wait for a major meltdown and just call em to the camera.good luck to all!!!
 
The areas I hunted the last week have had good amounts of sign earlier in the year...in fact, the area I hunted on Saturday was full of coyote tracks at the end of November. They must have moved out or are really concentrated to one area.

I'm likely going to hang it up until we get some snow melt going at the end of March.
 


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