| 1. Location - The place you choose to do your | | | | scare away coyotes that are close, but I have |
| coyote hunting needs to have a few things | | | | had different experiences. I have called coyotes in |
| before you will be successful. First and most | | | | no less than 20 seconds of my first sequence. |
| important, you want a large population of coyotes. | | | | This means they were close and came directly to |
| Ask around and do some scouting to find the | | | | me. |
| good spots. Next, you want some open areas so | | | | 6. Gun - Your weapon is not the most important |
| you can call the coyotes out into the open and be | | | | thing for harvesting coyotes, but you certainly will |
| able to see them before they get too close. | | | | need one if you plan on doing so. My favorite gun |
| Another good thing is seclusion, but its not | | | | for killing smaller game like coyotes is a.243 win |
| necessary. Today, coyotes are making their | | | | with a 55 grain ballistic tip. These have plenty of |
| home closer and closer to human establishments, | | | | range and just the right amount of knock down |
| but you will find more in secluded areas. | | | | power. One thing to be aware of is your local |
| 2. Camouflage - As with most hunting, you need | | | | laws for coyote hunting. The public hunting land in |
| to blend in with your surroundings. Coyotes are | | | | my area requires coyote hunters to use rimfire |
| very timid and shy animals and will not stick | | | | rifles. When I hunt these areas I take a.17, but |
| around if they spot you. Make sure you study the | | | | you have to place a good shot for this gun to be |
| place you choose to hunt and pick the proper | | | | effective. |
| camouflage to match it. Finding good cover is a | | | | 7. Time - The time you perform your hunt can |
| good idea as well. If you can get behind some | | | | have an effect on what you see. The most |
| brush or tree limbs, you can really blend in. This is | | | | popular time to hunt coyotes is at night, however |
| especially important if you are using a mouth call, | | | | some places don't allow this. My favorite time is |
| because the coyotes will be looking directly at | | | | early in the morning just after sun up. Coyotes |
| you. | | | | are still on the move looking for food at this time |
| 3. Cover Scent - Along with you camouflage, you | | | | and you should take advantage of this. Coyotes |
| also need something to camouflage your scent. | | | | are night hunters, so your chances of spotting |
| One good product I like to use is scent killer | | | | one will be late afternoon or early morning. |
| spray. Just spray it all over yourself before you | | | | 8. View - Your view from your hunting spot is |
| go into the field. You also might consider some | | | | very important. One thing you want to avoid is |
| kind of attracting scent like rabbit or bobcat urine. | | | | sitting on the ground in tall grass. Many people will |
| If you can put this around you hunting spot, you | | | | do this thinking they have great cover. This might |
| can increase your chances of seeing some action. | | | | be true but the problem is you can't see anything. |
| The scent of their prey will really get them fired | | | | Try to position yourself on top of a hill where you |
| up. I highly recommend using at least one of | | | | can look down. Get in a deer stand if there is one |
| these methods if not both. | | | | available. You don't want the coyote sneaking up |
| 4. Call - If there is anything you should take with | | | | on you because you couldn't see it coming. |
| you coyote hunting, it is a predator call. This is the | | | | 9. Binoculars - I believe these are essential to any |
| single most effective tool for harvesting coyotes. | | | | hunter, not just coyotes. When hunting coyotes, |
| The most popular call for coyote hunting is the | | | | you definitely want to see him before he sees |
| rabbit in distress call. You can buy a cheaper hand | | | | you, and binoculars will help you do this. Don't use |
| call or an electronic call, they both work very well. | | | | the scope on your gun for spotting, as this is |
| Find out what kind of small game the coyotes | | | | dangerous and causes excess movement. |
| feast on in your area and use a call to match that | | | | Binoculars will keep your movement to a |
| animal. | | | | minimum, limiting your chances of being seen. |
| 5. Call Sequence - Once you have your call picked | | | | Using your scope to see what movement in a |
| out, you need to know how to use it. There are | | | | field is can also be dangers, it might be a person |
| different opinions on this, but what has work for | | | | you are pointing at. |
| others, might not work for you. I use a rabbit | | | | 10. Wind - Wind is something to always be aware |
| distress call and begin my sequence by calling | | | | of when you choose your hunting locations. You |
| very loud. I will call for about 1 minute and pause | | | | always want to be downwind of where you think |
| for about 5. I repeat this process for about half | | | | the coyotes will come from. This will help keep |
| an hour then move on to a new location if nothing | | | | them from getting your scent. If you are hunting |
| as appeared. Some believe that calling loud will | | | | in an open field, hunt downwind of the field. |