January 14, 2008
Any coyote hunters out there? Need a little help
I went rabbit hunting in Franklin County on Saturday. It was slow. Really slow. They had nine beagles and in three hours of walking perfect-looking -- and I mean PERFECT-LOOKING -- rabbit cover we had one chase. I actually saw the bugger for a split second but couldn't get a shot.
The guys who invited me felt bad but it certainly wasn't their fault. I'm pretty sure coyotes were to blame. Everywhere there was mud there were coyote prints.
I had planned to give coyote hunting a try this winter anyway and have a couple places in mind. But this place seems to have some real potential. One of the rabbit guys said he was willing to get us back in there.
I've been watching the first Primos Predator video and that's been fairly helpful. I've got a couple mouth calls and have been practicing. Plus a buddy loaned me his old CD-based predator call. Another guy who I met through this blog is also just starting and we're hoping to get out there soon.
Before I go out there and educate the coyotes on my spots, I'd appreciate any suggestions or tips from those of you who have hunted coyotes.
Comments
[January 14, 2008 4:03 PM]
TerranceI've found that the more aggressive you are with your calls the better luck you have. Night hunting is the most exciting to me, but these animals are very smart and as soon as the light hits there eyes they usually take off so you need to be ready to shoot.
[January 14, 2008 4:45 PM]
John RI always make sure to take a scent free shower and to wear scent free deoderant and clothes, just like archery season. Facemask is a big help too, I think they can smell face paint. A red light works much better than a white, leave the red on and look for eyes. They dont seem to be spooked by a red light. A decoy! A rabbit/squirrel skin on a piece of spring steel is my choice. Just a little movement and you've got them.
[January 14, 2008 5:17 PM]
Mark TaylorThanks for the suggestions.
Terrance, I've heard that night hunting can be good. So, are you using a red light and it still spooks them? Do you use a rifle at night or a shotgun?
John, I was thinking Scent-Lok would be in order. Are you hunting mostly at night?
Thanks again for taking the time to comment.
mt
[January 14, 2008 9:46 PM]
J. CraftMy biggest success comes early morning and late afternoon when they get on the prowl for some grub. If there are that many around they will be highly competitive for food sources. Always try and use a decoy to keep the attention away from your location. if you give them too much time they are going to try and circle down wind. Thats where the decoy will help most, when he's not looking at you, you bust him.
[January 15, 2008 7:49 AM]
John RI have had the most luck hunting around sunrise and sunset. About 2 hours on each side is what I like, but most action comes while its dark. The few times we have headed out at 10pm or later, we have had trouble locating the coyotes. I like to hunt the edges of really thick stuff, and catch them coming in around sunrise and catch them leaving around sunset.
[January 15, 2008 10:51 AM]
TerranceI always use a red light and yes when there close up it will still spook them and i use a 12 3.5 turkey load it seems to due the job they have coyote shells but they are way to expensive for just a beefed up turkey load.
[January 26, 2008 8:42 PM]
RobWell the most important thing is that you realize you may educate them, that being said,start with covering your sent,scent lock and whatever else you can do to eliminate your scent. Hunt with the wind in your favor.Practice calling if your using mouth calls.I use a guile suite to conseal my cover and am always aware of my silhouette (keep your arms and legs tucked together) and dont move. I also like to hunt with a partner when possible (but hunt by my self the most) one packs a rifle and the other a 12 ga. with buck shot.Put the shotgun closest to the call. The best time to hunt in my area (Pa.) is 1am till break of day.Second is 1 hr. before dark or 1hr. after first light. Full moon with snow on the ground is perfect especially if you have good optics (swarovski and zeiss inhance light very well) for night conditions. If its in your budget Fox Pro makes an excellent call. Start there. and good luck, I hunted coyotes for 5 years before I killed my first one, and remember the first time is always the hardest but the most memorable.