Deer While Coyote Hunting

[j_h_nimrod]

I frequently run into small herds of deer while coyote hunting. While deer are within a few hundred yards I have never called in a coyote. I do not have a lot of experience but this is just something I have noticed. What are others observations on this, am I just not out enough to see coyotes around deer?

[McCRIZZLEY]

No experience in the field, but I've seen quite a few videos where the guys are just glassing a bunch of dear, and then a coyote or two are right behind them...

[DeerThug]

I often call in deer while predator hunting.  The does will come in to see what is in distress.  In fact  this winter I have called in more deer than coyotes.  On tip is if deer come in is to go silent and then watch them.  When they get nervous and all start looking in one direction not at you, pay attention and glass where they are watching, likely a predator also came in

[wolftrapper]

Deer might slow down an approaching coyote.

 A few weeks ago, I began calling, and two deer at about 400 yds got nervous, and crossed a large ravine, making a hasty exit.  I saw a coyote headed my way, and he happened to come through the spot where the deer had vacated. Coyote spotted the moving deer, and watched them intently, until they disappeared over the next ridge, several hundred yards from him.  He was there several minutes, and no amount of calling, and call changes would make him look my way.  When he could no longer see the deer, he continued  in my direction.  The coyote was very leisurely and deliberate the entire time.  When the coyote dropped into a low area, I took the opportunity to check out my immediate surroundings, and discovered a coyote standing looking my way at about 100 yds.  I took this coyote, and never saw the other again.  I'm sure he booked at the shot.

I have had deer leave, and I have had them approach my calling.  Rarely do they ignore the call, but that has happened too.  From this one incident, I would say that deer between you and an approaching coyote, could considerably distract the coyote, and it might take him longer to get there.  When he spotted those deer in flight, it was just like your four year old glued to a cartoon!  He couldn't take his eyes off them.

Yes, the deer will spot a coyote before you do, like deerthug says.  Pay attention to EVERYTHING!

By the way, while deer hunting, I have seen deer chasing coyotes away, when they got too close to a group of them.

[jrebel]

We made a stand today and had 15 deer come to our call.  It was pretty amazing.  They came running and when they got about 50 yards from our call (70 yards from us) stopped.  They were intently watching our mojo critter for about 5 minutes when they decided to go.  They literally ran the away making all kinds of noise.  I have never seen that many deer come to a coyote call at one time. 

[Heredoggydoggy]

Last year I was sitting on a stand, and blew a few howls to see if I'd get a response.  Over the hill came 8 doe Mule Deer, looking for that coyote.  They looked like they were ready to kick some coyote butt!  I had heard that Mule Deer sometimes chased coyotes away, but that was the only time it ever happened.  They stood around, and left when they saw me stand up to go. 

[j_h_nimrod]

Thanks for the input, I did not figure a few deer would totally preclude coyotes from coming in but it does seem to add a new dimension to calling.

[nwwanderer]

I have watched bucks stalk coyotes.  If the little dogs did not move and fast they would die. 

[Blackjaw]

I always like to see deer when I am on a stand. Watch where they are looking and it will give you the heads up on where the coyote(s) are coming from.