SBruce
Well-Known Member
A long time ago, when trying out a brand new call for the first time, I called in 4 coyotes at one time to within 80 yds. I was sitting on a bare hillside that wouldn't hide a coffee cup. There were two of us there, we were both wearing blue jeans and flanel shirts and baseball caps. Just trying the call, neither of us had a weapon.
I believe that you can probably call in predators wearing a Santa Clause Suit.
I believe that you can call in predators with nearly any brand of call.
The important things are keeping your movement down, sitting in the shade if at all possible. At least try to keep the sun behind you (not glaring/shining off your gun,face,fingernails,watch, calls, binos, ect). Having a rock or brush behind you and a little something low and in front of you helps alot to break up any outline they may see too. Sit low enough that you don't appear to be on the skyline to the predator approaching from below you.
Location and how you handle the situation when the coyotes show up will make or break the coyote callers success. Getting within range of coyotes ears without being detected/spotted is more critical than what color or brand of camo you choose. Setting up where the coyotes have to "show themselves" in order to smell or see you is more critical than the brand of call you decide to buy. Handle the situation effectively; remaining calm, patient, stealthy and making every shot count is more critical than the caliber you choose to use.
When you get one coming in to a call; try to move only when they are moving, when they momentarily drop out of site, or when they are looking the other way. Avoid shooting at running predators, these are very very low percentage hits unless they are very close or you are using a shotgun. Most coyotes can be stopped when you're ready to shoot with a squeak, whistle, bark, cough, yell ect. Crossed shooting sticks or long pivoting bipods work well for stability when longer shots are expected.
Try to set up in a place that you can see downwind of the sound. Most will try to get to a spot where they can smell the "screamer", ESPECIALLY the educated ones.
Other basics such as sneaking into and out of the calling area are important. Don't talk, slam vehicle doors, ect. Predators are much more wary and smarter than most big game animals IMO.
Early morning and late afternoon/evening are usually most effective times to hunt predators, similar to big game. It's legal at night in some places, which can work well too, but that's really a different approach and not the subject here. When the weather is really cold, or a storm is moving in, all day can be good. Right after a blizzard can be good.
But none of this means a **** if we're calling in areas where there aren't any coyotes at the time, or if someone else was calling/shooting in the same area very recently, and the coyotes have been educated to avoid the sounds of calls. Same thing if they are tired or lazy from a full belly. Getting a coyote to come very far for a rabbit or bird when he's already full on deer, antelope, beef, sheep, pig or horse is just asking for frustration. Try to hunt where there are no trappers working. Alot of these guys use getters and poison too, that makes for alot fewer yotes available to hunt.
Hopefully some of this will help the newer coyote hunters out there "get their Yote".
Good Luck to all in your predator pursuits.
I believe that you can probably call in predators wearing a Santa Clause Suit.
I believe that you can call in predators with nearly any brand of call.
The important things are keeping your movement down, sitting in the shade if at all possible. At least try to keep the sun behind you (not glaring/shining off your gun,face,fingernails,watch, calls, binos, ect). Having a rock or brush behind you and a little something low and in front of you helps alot to break up any outline they may see too. Sit low enough that you don't appear to be on the skyline to the predator approaching from below you.
Location and how you handle the situation when the coyotes show up will make or break the coyote callers success. Getting within range of coyotes ears without being detected/spotted is more critical than what color or brand of camo you choose. Setting up where the coyotes have to "show themselves" in order to smell or see you is more critical than the brand of call you decide to buy. Handle the situation effectively; remaining calm, patient, stealthy and making every shot count is more critical than the caliber you choose to use.
When you get one coming in to a call; try to move only when they are moving, when they momentarily drop out of site, or when they are looking the other way. Avoid shooting at running predators, these are very very low percentage hits unless they are very close or you are using a shotgun. Most coyotes can be stopped when you're ready to shoot with a squeak, whistle, bark, cough, yell ect. Crossed shooting sticks or long pivoting bipods work well for stability when longer shots are expected.
Try to set up in a place that you can see downwind of the sound. Most will try to get to a spot where they can smell the "screamer", ESPECIALLY the educated ones.
Other basics such as sneaking into and out of the calling area are important. Don't talk, slam vehicle doors, ect. Predators are much more wary and smarter than most big game animals IMO.
Early morning and late afternoon/evening are usually most effective times to hunt predators, similar to big game. It's legal at night in some places, which can work well too, but that's really a different approach and not the subject here. When the weather is really cold, or a storm is moving in, all day can be good. Right after a blizzard can be good.
But none of this means a **** if we're calling in areas where there aren't any coyotes at the time, or if someone else was calling/shooting in the same area very recently, and the coyotes have been educated to avoid the sounds of calls. Same thing if they are tired or lazy from a full belly. Getting a coyote to come very far for a rabbit or bird when he's already full on deer, antelope, beef, sheep, pig or horse is just asking for frustration. Try to hunt where there are no trappers working. Alot of these guys use getters and poison too, that makes for alot fewer yotes available to hunt.
Hopefully some of this will help the newer coyote hunters out there "get their Yote".
Good Luck to all in your predator pursuits.
