Kevin
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 of 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 your on your way to taking them consistently.
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 of 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 your on your way to taking them consistently.
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”.
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”.
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. (Kishel's preferred choice of camo is Skyline Camo.
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.
Coyote 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 coyote’s time to respond to
your calling. I have killed many of 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 alley.
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. (Kishel's preferred choice of camo is Skyline Camo.
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.
Coyote 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 coyote’s time to respond to
your calling. I have killed many of 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 alley.
| Coyote Hunting TIPS |
| COYOTE HUNTING |
Locations
Since most of my calling is in the daytime, I
like to set up 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 or shadow areas,
maybe down a multi floral rows etc. The
more comfortable he is, the less suspicious
he’ll 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 and
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’s needed. You can
dispense it into the air or place it into some
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.
Since most of my calling is in the daytime, I
like to set up 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 or shadow areas,
maybe down a multi floral rows etc. The
more comfortable he is, the less suspicious
he’ll 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 and
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’s needed. You can
dispense it into the air or place it into some
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.
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