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Coyote Hunting
For most of us, deer season is
over and with a little luck were all sitting down enjoying the harvest. From
the sounds of things, hunters from across the state have taken some monster
bucks. While I haven’t heard if the take was up, I can only assume it was
from all the calls I’ve received from successful hunters.
While it’s easy to become couch potatoes during the months of January and
February, it’s also a great time to hone your hunting skills, chasing
coyotes. New York State has been blessed or cursed (depending how you look
at it) with an explosion of these cunning, but evasive creatures. In a lot of
ways this ultimate predator has taken a bum rap. I know that comment will
raise a few eyebrows, but he really has. I think most of that is because of
our lack of true knowledge as to his persona.
DNA studies have suggested that our Coyote have been crossed with the Grey
wolf years ago. This would explain his considerable size compared to his
western cousins and numerous color phases. I have personally taken coyotes
in the 70-pound range and in just about every color, except white.
Much of what you
read, would have you believe, that all you need is a call (mouth or
electronic), camo, light and of course a decoy to take coyotes. Not so fast!
These Eastern bad boys are tough, But not impossible. If I was to give you
one point to remember about our coyotes, is that they are one big fat coward
and very shy! Once you understand this about him you are on your way to taking
them consistently.
Tips:
· Scent Elimination:
I’m often amazed at the great extent people will go through to eliminate
their human odor while deer hunting and this is good! But if you’re going
after coyote you’d better take even better care of your odor, or just stay
home! I guarantee coyotes will smell you if you don’t. Never ... never ...
never underestimate what a coyote can smell.
· Camo-
Choose a camo pattern for the conditions your hunting in. It’s hard to beat
a quality snow pattern this time of year. No matter what the pattern I
always try to sit near trees and bushes to breakup my outline.
· Guns
– Two guns I
use religiously is my 22 hornet and my Remington full choke 12 gauge with #4
shot. Since the majority of the coyotes are shot up close and personal both
types serve my purpose.
· Calls-
While there are numerous calls on the market, my personal favorite is Wood
Wise Game Calls. I would really recommend the fox in distress mouth calls
for coyotes. Quaker Boy game calls also make a cottontail screamer, which
works well. One of the biggest mistakes a caller can make is calling to
loud. You don’t have to! Keep it mid tone and pleading. Remember also to
give the coyote time to respond to your calling. I have killed many of my coyote
waiting 30 minutes or longer after I’ve stopped calling. For me, mouth blown
calls seem to work better on coyotes than electronic calls. Sometimes all it
will take is kissing the back of your hand to imitate mouse squeaks. I’ll
also do this if a coyote begins to hang up.
· Night or Day-
If I had a preference I would choose daytime hunting. For one I can use my
22 Hornet and usually I know he is close by. At night, I’m not always sure
which direction he’s approaching. Over the years my best luck came between
the hours of daybreak to 11 am.
· Wind-
Know your prevailing wind and set up accordingly, 9 out of 10 times that
coyote will want to get a whiff of you. Wind direction can be your greatest
ally.
· Locations-
Since most of my calling is in the daytime, I like to set up in close thick
cover. The thicker the better for me. A system I have used for years was to
go out at Dusk and give a few calls on my holler. If I got an answer, I was
usually sure that coyote was getting up from his bedding area, or areas he
felt most comfortable in. Then it was just a matter of sneaking in the
morning before he or she got back there and try calling. It’s a great way to
get these eastern bad boys, plus eliminates a lot of wasted time. Remember
to make the coyote feel comfortable when he starts to come in. Don’t just
try to call him out into the wide open. Let him approach near cover, shadowed areas
or maybe by multi floral rose bushes, etc. The more comfortable he
is, the less suspicious he will be. Try to think like the coyote and always
assume one is coming in.
· Movement-
Keep all your movement to a minimum! They have great eyesight.
· Decoys
– They work if you’re willing to put up with the extra gear. I guess I’m
getting older because I’m always looking to leave stuff behind. In all
honesty, I feel a good scent in the air is as much, if not more, of an
attractor to the coyote than the decoy. Often time’s coyotes caught wind of
my scent attractor and just came a running. Good fresh Bobcat Urine, Rabbit
Urine, or Red Fox Urine is all that is needed. You can dispense it into the
air or place it into a dispensing unit. Of the three, I love to use Bobcat
Urine, coyotes eat cats and they love the smell! It doesn’t matter if you
have Bobcats in your area or not, it works.
Well
..There you have it. Coyote hunting is a
lot of fun, but it can also be very disappointing. Never give up, but keep
at it and things will begin to happen. Hopefully a few of these tips can
produce results for you, better yet “fur on the board”.
Till next time,
Good Hunting! ..........
Kevin Kishel
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www.kishelscents.com
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