Hopefully you got out and were able to chase a fox as I suggested prior to the weekend or even spent time scouting. I went coyote hunting and almost was outfoxed. It’s that time of year. Right now coyotes are cagier than a reality film crew trying to catch a cheating politician. I found this out on Saturday. I was hunting with good friend Gale Smith and on our third attempt at trying to fool a coyote I decided to throw everything out there, including the kitchen sink.
Geez, some hunter. Lucky I came along to help Kayser out.
Using a combination of my Johnny Stewart PM-4 digital caller and mouth calls I made it sound like a fawn was in trouble and coyotes were squabbling over the choice cuts. About 15 minutes into the setup a coyote ran to the top of the basin we were watching and then sat down on its haunches to scan for the ruckus. After about five minutes the coyote bedded. He was in no hurry and likely the reason he was still alive.
Since Gale and I were not in sight of each other, I decided to softly use a rodent distress call in hopes of luring the coyote in for a shot. I was worried Gale might get antsy and walk over to my side of the hill. The coyote didn’t react immediately, but looked and eventually stood up, stretched and started padding my way. I felt pretty smug.
A few minutes later the coyote started diverting toward Gale. I didn’t worry since I hoped Gale would get a shot anyway, but when the coyote started angling away with an over-the-back look, I knew it was time to seal the deal. After the shot Gale walked over and commented on how he had called in the coyote for me. I looked at him with a puzzled glaze and said I was calling. Here’s the scoop.
Gale never heard my calls once, not even the coyote fight, despite being less than 100 yards away. When the coyote appeared, Gale also waited and then started lip squeaking. He was squeaking while I was squeaking. It worked until the coyote walked to within 200 yards and then something sounded too squeaky and too fake.
Nevertheless, we bagged a great-looking, mature coyote with a prime pelt.
Plus, it was evident that patience pays off. We didn’t see the coyote until 15 minutes into the setup when many are already leaving. I pulled the trigger at nearly the 30-minute mark to make the outing a success.
Mark Kayser
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
What time of day is good to hunt for coyotes? I can not find a good tmie at all I have gone in the morning and after noon but can not find theem at all so if you know that would help me. Thank you
enjoyed you sharing that hunt with me, i could feel the cold on my face and the stir of our blood that gives this patience to us and makes us the hunters we are and can’t help being. Bite a young man or woman and give them this wonderful diease, that will give you the asurance that you have planted many seeds to our freedom.
Thanks again, Hunt Forever
jh blankenship
I am originally from SD but now live in NC. I always enjoyed hunting coyotes where I grew up. It didn’t hurt any that my family raised sheep and had a natural dislike for the critters either. We are having an infestation down here lately and I have heard them in town where I live. I have never been too successful calling, but I know the coyotes down here haven’t been call alot, if any at all. I’m wondering what type of call and technique you would suggest for me.
Mitch,
Anytime of day is good. I shot this coyote at approximately 10 a.m. That said, I usually have the highest response at sunrise and sunset. I start calling the second I have shooting light and finish when the law says I have to quit or, if legal, when it is too dark to shoot.
Mark
Steve,
Right now you can try two calls. Use a lone howl that doesn’t sound aggressive. Coyotes are breeding and this may lure in a lonesome coyote looking for a mate. Secondly, I’d use a prey in distress. Even though I finished the coyote I shot in this blog with a rodent distress call, most of my calling was a fawn in distress. Look for brushy cover near town where the coyotes may be lounging during the day. Wait at each calling site for at least a half hour or more. Try each of these and good luck.
Mark
been callin coyots with my apahy 610, new at this, but after 2mnths i did the disr coyote pup call an now im just swarmed by them left an right for about 4hrs, 15 shot and some wont leave, an some still coming, its night im useing a 22lr with out scope, good shot open sites, i think i hit one walked out half way shot twice, an there sill there, so i came back an posted up still calling an more comeing, the one i was shotting at is still in the same place, so i keep calling an still more comeing, stop calling for an hour an there still posted up, i got the red blue colored lens, after while it just no lens, blinding them, sure im not gunna hit them with just open sites and all, at night, spot light in one hand, an one on the side of my 22lr, but hopeing to but sure my shot gotta be grouped in where there standing, ok so ya the one i shot at is still in place but the otheres move around, but they ant leaving, then four more show up an shot twice, but they move around an ant leaveing, why, im not calling anmore an tyhey are all still posted up, help please, tell me why they wont leave, ya i dont want them to, just woundering