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Coyote Hunting for DUMMIES

54K views 75 replies 24 participants last post by  bearfoot1  
This is for new coyote hunters who keep on asking the same old question " looking for someone to take me out and show me the ropes"

1st lets get some things out in the open. I hate E-Scouters with a passion. They are lazy and helpless S.O.B.'S that just want a quick kill, there is no pleasing these guys what so ever. I have heard every excuess known to the internet on why they cant find them or need help. To be honest there is no helping the stupid. Stupid being someone who doesn't put any effort into it and just wants to drive up and kill something. You don't need to have someone hold your hand unless your still 3 years old. If thats what you think stay in the kitchen where you belong.

Most coyote hunting is common sense nothing more. Its no different than deer or elk hunting. So if your not seeing those chances are your not going to see a coyote either. Coyotes are everywhere in this state. There like cat running around in a neighborhood that doesn't have any Chinese nearby.

There easy to find and easy to call in. when I say easy I mean if you don't call one in or see one , in 5-8 working trips out you have some serious issues and are most generally from the time you step foot in your truck.

Were going to go over the basics 1st.

I get my gun and STUFF loaded and ready when I leave the house, or at the gate I am going to go through.. NOT when I get to the spot I am going to hunt.

My shotgun and or rifle is loaded (minus one in the chamber) my call if using an e-caller is out and ready if using mouth calls there in my pocket. I Always carry mouth calls regardless of what I am using.
If you don't feel comfortable with that , that is FINE as almost every road you take off the highway there is a fence. That's a perfect time to get your stuff ready not after .
I always have by buttseat ready as well so I don't have to fiddle with stuff in the truck. My hunting partner has all her stuff ready before we get to the spot as well.
If you like to stand that's fine, if you like to sit that's fine too, BUT DON'T SIT ON THE GROUND take a folding camp stool. If you sit on the ground your going to move to much cause cactus will be digging in your butt or you hand. You have to be comfortable . not to mention your going to be moving your hand or legs for a better position and breaking twigs in the process. I know trust me I been there done that.

So for the sake of argument you stuff is ready to go.

You pull up to the spot you want to hunt. You grab your stuff and get out. Push the door slowly closed and lock it. (DON'T SET THE ALARM if you do turn around and go home)
Always park your truck hidden. If you park on top of a hill or drive on top of a hill or out in the open chances are your busted already.
If I am hunting hilly areas I usually park and walk to the next ridge to call. If I am hunting flats I park next to the brushy stuff with out running it over.
Chambering a round. In a ar-15 do it slowly and quietly same in a pump or semi auto and bolt action as well as a break action.
I know you guys like to hear the sound of a round chambering but the yotes hear it your busted and to be honest theres no need to do it. Coyotes don't really care if your tacticool or not.

Walk to you spot into the wind is best but not a deal breaker.foxs and bobcats yes deal breaker. Don't step on twigs rocks , don't walk into bushes that make noise etc etc.
Sit your but down or stand in the bushes to break up your outline.
I usually wait 4-5 mins before I start calling as I like to survey the area and listen. If I am using an electronic call(when we bow hunt for them) I set it off about 30 yards than walk back and sit.
Start calling. I usually call for 30 mins, if theres bobcats in the area. If its not rocky and I am going after yotes 10-15 mins per stand. I have sat longer and done pretty good but most of the time your just wasting time.

When your in your spot or going to your spot. You cannot cough, snort sniffle, fart spit talk move to get comfortable(thats why you don't sit on the ground). You move your eyes you don't move your head,if you do move it slowly. if you have to scratch your butt or pick you nose. Move your hand against your body it hides movement. If your fidgety when your sitting go home cause hunting just isn't for you.

So lets say your spot is done, you been there 20 mins and you saw nothing. Keep the caller running(if using and e-caller) and stand up slowly. Keep your eyes peeled, cause bobcats and foxs are more than likely watching you. Coyotes have a tendency to run by you and you not see them but then hang around if the call is still going sometimes.
Claudia and I had one yote run by us one time with our bows. He saw her draw back and bolted even faster. we sat down for 15 more mins and kept the e-caller going. she got up and there was 2 of them 40 yards away just staring at her. They were pointed in the direction away from her but just staring at her. she drew back and tried to walk around the bushes to get a shot, but too many bushes in the way to take one. they just walked away not run but walked. with a shotgun or rifle could have possibly got one or 2.

Pick up and go to the next spot. I like a min of a ½ mile between spots. With a mouth call I usually go for a mile between spots as its louder. That you will have to figure out on your own as different spots react differently to sound and its all experience.

Clothing:
If you do need a jacket cause its cold put it on at the gate not when you get to your spot to hunt. The less time you spend at your truck the better. Remember the yote already heard you coming hes a running or walking the other way already.
The only clothing item I think that makes a huge difference in hunting is boots vs tennis shoes. If your a chub and walk hard, or if you walk hard. Boots wont work for you as they make too much noise. Wear tennis shoes there very quiet. Listen to the way you walk. Boots will be always louder than tennis shoes due to the hard souls. DON'T walk on rocks with boots its loud. Don't step on branches.

Camo: Its not necessary period I don't give a rats behind what anyone says it has never been proven to me that I need it in 30+ years of killing yotes and hunting. It does help you blend in, but if your not moving you don't need it. if you move a lot might not hurt. I don't use it. I wear earth colored clothes and blue jeans, its all personal preference .

I'll add some more later and maybe check it in case I am missing anything.
Omg I love this sight...I'm dead! Funniest damn thing I've read in a long time...Lmao! If you set your alarm turn around and go home??? Hahaha thanks I need this