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Time And Time Again |
Time And Time AgainBy Scott Molnar
©Copyright 2009, The Varmint Hunters Association, Inc.
Over years of predator hunting I have come to understand what it really takes to become successful at coyote hunting. I have called at coyotes from Colorado to Montana and back again. It never fails to amaze me how excited I get when I see those song dogs working toward my location. My heart races, my pulse quickens, and I may even start shaking. I have killed more than two hundred coyotes and foxes, but the sensations never go away. I also have missed my fair share as well. Perhaps I can shed some light on what I have learned over the years about this great sport, or “passion” in my case.
The number one most important thing that I believe needs to be practiced and studied is patience. Patience is without a doubt the most valuable tool a predator hunter can have in his or her arsenal. You can be the greatest shot on earth, but with no patience you will miss out on 50 percent of the coyotes that come in to your stand. This is mostly because of your leaving the area believing that there are no coyotes in the vicinity. Here is why.
In the area I live in there are vast rolling fields of stubble, CRP, and rugged creek beds and drainages. Also in this area, the wind seldom stops blowing. It has been known to have gusts that exceed 90 mph. Not good calling conditions, to say the least. So, when I am on a stand and there is a 10 to 20 mph wind blowing, I tend to stay at least 30 minutes. At some point the wind may increase in speed and then I usually call it a day. However, because these windy conditions are common, I try to make the best of it.
Coyotes in general do not like strong winds but I believe that in this area they have to live with the wind and have adapted to it somewhat. They tend to hunt in the denser parts of brushy creek bottoms and drainages more at these times. They are less likely to be found out in the middle of open stubble fields and pastures. However, I have seen them crossing these areas during times of high winds. Never try to predict what a coyote will do. But I believe my chances are better during windy times by hunting these protected areas that offer some shelter from the wind. As a general rule coyotes avoid open areas during periods of high wind.
I also believe that coyotes, when hunting generally, are moving at a slow rate through these drainages and may not hear my call on the first set. As they may be moving in my direction, the wind may let up enough for them to finally hear the call. Again, with some patience, things may pay off even in windy conditions. I always try to watch the livestock if any are nearby to see if they react when I use the call. Deer and antelope also are a good indication that your calling is heard during windy conditions.
Staying on the stand the extra 10 minutes will pay for itself eventually. I cannot tell you how many times I was ready to leave when I scanned the horizon and saw a coyote walking slowly toward my stand. I already had been there for 25 to 30 minutes and was about to call it quits. There were days that the weather was extremely unstable and I was questioning my sanity for being out in such conditions. Days like these happen, and since I work full time I try to go every chance I get. Even if I don’t make a kill, there are things that I enjoy seeing or experiencing that makes the whole experience worth it. If weather conditions turn threatening, of course I have enough common sense to head home or not go in the first place. On my last stand recently just before a snow front hit my stand several sharp-tail grouse flew from the adjoining CRP field to my stand along the fence line and began frantically feeding in the stubble field. They were no more than four to five feet from me and never noticed me at all. That made the whole experience great. Times and experiences like these fill my calling days. It is all about patience.
The second most important item in a coyote hunter’s arsenal is persistence. How many times has this happened to you? You approach a stand, you get set up, and suddenly you hear a truck door slam, several dogs barking, and a parade of pheasants slowly start over a rise toward your location. I have little or no patience for pheasant hunters. Our pheasant season runs until January 1, and it is a real pain. There really is little I can do but get up and leave. Another annoyance is the farmer or farmhand or whoever who has to move cattle on the four-wheeler to the CRP where you are calling. This I tend to let go, as I know how busy farmers and ranchers are. Besides, it is with their grace that I am allowed hunting access to other areas. I just pack up and head for another location. I could just as easily have gone home, but persistence keeps me in the fur.
Persistence in calling location after location without success also keeps me in the fur as well. If I had given up I would not have been so successful. I keep a log of where I call and when. I try to call the same location only three times a year. I also keep notes on the weather conditions. In the evenings after the hunt I fill in my log with the information I will use for later reference. Getting moving these days seems harder and harder as I grow older. But my hunting partner is persistent. He gets me going and more times than not it has been well worth it.
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