Where did all the dogs go?

[bear hunter]

My buddy's and I hunted back in December for 2 days in Moses lake and never seen a darn thing. I figured I should let it settle down for awhile. We hunted the potholes and worked are way to Walla Walla down to Oregon. Seen a million Deer but not one coyote. Hiked in a couple of miles but only had a coyote sneak up behind us at 20 yards and walked over are tracks and winded us but never seen him.  I never had so much trouble finding a dog. I think to many people hunting them now a days or I lost my touch. LOL I will give it one more shot in a couple of weeks and cry some new areas.   

[Jingles]

I know the feeling well about the lack of dogs. Don't think I've ever worked so hard for the first dog of the year as I did this past weekend.  I think every tom dicck and harry is out calling around here areas just aren't getting any kind of a rest period between callers. Problem is no one is reporting in with any kills significant either, Locally.
BIG dog tracks than ever before too.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Coyotes are pairing up for the mating season, now.  I don't think they are hungry, so prey calls don't work, and a howl only works if there's a territorial issue involved. 

[BiggLuke]

In that area you mentioned, they stick really close to people in the winter.
Farms and towns and such.
Just like pet dogs, they are allways looking for an easy meal.
I met a guy over there north of Moses in feb. a couple years back who had about an acre pen of REALLY fat cows... apparently birthing.
We saw a ton of coyotes within a mile of his place.
He said we couldn't hunt his place because he had pet dogs wondering the place.
Said his cow hands had shot 5 the night before with pistols right next to the pens though.

[YoteSlayer61]

Coyotes are always hungry....all the scat I've seen lately has apples and grapes in it. I saw 7 dogs on Sat....Try to find areas close to agriculture, circles especially orchards and vineyards etc. coyotes are going to stick with easiest food when it's this cold. Seems to me like they go to orchards vineyard areas at night and head back to holding areas during the day.. Just trying to help out I don't know what I'm talking about for the most part!!

[bear hunter]

Thanks for the info. I will give it a try again in a couple of weeks.

[Obard]

I know what you mean ... Been a tough go this year. I'm seeing sign everywhere I go, and lots of it, but not hide nor hair of a dog. I know they gotta eat, but they aren't interested in anything I'm selling. ... Just a matter of time ... Right?

[coyotehunter]

I'll have to agree with Jingles. There is a LOT hunters out there chasing coyotes this year, more than I've ever seen. I've actually witnessed on a many occasions where a coyote will just get up and walk away from a prey in distress sound. A change in tactic had helped me get few coyote this year and I'm still experimenting. Coyotes are smart and hunting them is a never ending educational process. Good Luck!