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.
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.
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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| COYOTE HUNTING |
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