Coyote Hunting

Every now and then I like to mix it up. Deer hunting is the best thing ever invented, and I live for spring turkey season. One thing I know however is that coyotes can have a devastating effect on the wild deer and turkey populations, from eating freshly born fawns to unhatched turkey eggs and poults.

One of my favorite things to hunt are coyotes. It's a cool mix of hunting for me. Camo is essential. So is scent control. Coyote's can smell very, very well and they commonly circle downwind to try and pick up on a scent before they come in to a decoy.They can also detect movement from a long distance, and they have excellent hearing. In addition to needing to set up in a good place to begin with, you also get to use decoys and calls.

Calling can be accomplished by a few ways, by using hand calls, your own vocalizations, or electronic calls. I know many hunters are incredibly proud of their ability to closely mimic an injured rabbit, but I prefer to use electronic calls. The main reason is I can quickly switch sounds, and they project far further than I am able to with a hand call, allowing me to cover a larger distance from each stand. Calls range from hurt cotton tail and jack rabbits, to challenge howls and barks of other coyotes.

Decoys can also be used. There are lots of different types and models. I use a Mojo Critter Predator Decoy. It has a great action, and is tall so it can be seen from long distances.

There are also models that have the call module and speaker inside of the decoy itself, and these work pretty well too.

As far as weapons, you can pretty much use anything you want to. By far the most commonly used caliber is the .223, usually paired with good optics. Anything you use for deer gun hunting is probably acceptable, and even calibers like the .243 are often used. Most serious hunters carry a long range rifle like a .223, .243, .308, or 30-6, and pair it with a good 12 gage shotgun for close range shots. I've even seen some hunters recently on the Sportsman Channel calling in and killing coyotes with a compound bow. One would be inclined to think a crossbow would be an equally good choice.

However you decide to do it, planning out and executing a successful coyote hunt can be incredibly fun and addicting. There is nothing like calling in 3 or 4 dogs at the same time, and the frenzied action that breaks loose after the first shot is cut loose. It's also a great way to spend the day with your hunting buddies and take a break from the usual solitude of deer season.