Snow changed things?

[wolftrapper]

Here in eastern, in the past week, I have come upon three deer that were coyote kills.  In spite of my covering less ground.  I am finding it harder to get coyotes to come to my calls, and when I see coyotes, I am just as apt to see two or three together.  Yesterday, I saw four together....unfortunately, they were on property that I did not have  permission to hunt.  (I promptly got permission on adjoining property).

Are any of you seeing this, or is it just it just coincidental to me?  This is the first real winter weather that I have experienced, since moving to this area.

[JODakota]

im seeing the exact same thing, coyotes not coming to call at all, but am seeing doubles and triples quite frequently.

[Ridgeratt]

If I had to guess this is mine. 

http://guide.sportsmansguide.com/tips/the-coyotes-breeding-season/

[wolftrapper]

So, Ridgeratt, you think it is the result of breeding season?

[wolftrapper]

I have also noticed that there are fewer of them out hunting the fields, and a lot of sign in the brushy areas.  It appears to me that the focus has gone to rabbits and deer, since the snow cover has buried voles and gophers.

[Ridgeratt]

You could start a new topic on when does the yote rut start and I'm sure you will get numerous answers, but when I hunted them more serious than I do now January and February were good months to always see pairs and more.

Last week I was talking to a person at work and he was also commenting on the bright full moon and wanting to go do an all nighter.

I would make a suggestion if you do is to find out who the local WDFW agent is and let them know your intentions so he doesn't have to get out of his Jammies and drive over to find out what you are doing. It works both ways if he has your phone number he can also call you and ask if your had heard anything as well.

Just a suggestion and use it as you will.

[Ridgeratt]

They still hunt on the snow

[wolftrapper]

I don't night hunt.

The coyote rut won't start until after the winter solstice, it is influenced by the change in daylight hours.  I have seen evidence of mating behavior in early January.

[Ridgeratt]

When is the Winter Solstice? 

[syoungs]

I don't feel so bad only seeing 1 dog, and having nothing come to the call today now. If the snow clears up do you think they will resume their typical behavior?

[Ridgeratt]

There is a Member who can give a far better insight on them.


 Jerry malbeck     

 

[pashok23]

Spend friday and half day on saturday calling coyotes, it was really cold on the east side,and in those two days i called only one dog,saw lots of tracks in the sage brush.Really thought that cold weather will be pushing coyotes to cover more ground for food.They would be running to the calls like there is no tommorow.I was wrong.

[JODakota]

I don't night hunt.

The coyote rut won't start until after the winter solstice, it is influenced by the change in daylight hours.  I have seen evidence of mating behavior in early January.

In the last two weeks, every coyote I've shot or my buddy has shot which is roughly 10, has been in areas with high pheasant numbers. Calls seem worthless. I don't know if that's due to everybody having a foxpro and blowing pup in distress or not. But I have not had a single coyote come to call since the snow fall. I agree, they are not in mating season yet. I think it's all about the food right now. 9 times out of ten though, very coyote spotted has been with another or more yotes.

[JODakota]

I don't feel so bad only seeing 1 dog, and having nothing come to the call today now. If the snow clears up do you think they will resume their typical behavior?

I've noticed when we get the high temps of the day, is when we are getting most the activity. If the cold sticks, they will eventually have no choice to answer the call.

[Swag]

Well Wolftrapper I have been seeing the same thing here on the east side, they seem extremely shy to the call, the ones that do come in (Mostly young dogs) seem to take up to 30 min.  The only reason I hung around that long was, I saw them coming from way off.  There do seem to be a lot of them grouped up, I have seen a group as big as 10 together this year and allot of 3-4's.  I am convinced it is Global Warming    I have struggled to change things up to find a cure this year, but have had Significantly less success than previous years.  Seems like every time I get one in, its an accident!

[KFhunter]

I seen 6 or 7 packed up in a field I didn't have permission to hunt, not often I see that many all at once.

[KFhunter]

right now is the time to hunt bait piles.   Last year I butchered a hog and hunted that for quite a while.



freeze the carcass to the ground with hot water or drill a hole and stake it, put up a motion detector drive way monitor and go to town.

[wolftrapper]

They are packing up, killing deer, and eating all they can hold!  Time to go back to good old traps and snares!  If I could actually trap them, I would have to hire a skinner, to keep up!

[JODakota]

They are packing up, killing deer, and eating all they can hold!  Time to go back to good old traps and snares!  If I could actually trap them, I would have to hire a skinner, to keep up!

Seriously! The amount of dogs in this state is obnoxious and directly shows due to strict trapping laws. There is no good way to trap coyotes in cages. Snares and footholds are the only way.

[fast1]

First I want to say I know its not global warming!it's Russian Hacking!    it's the normal cold snap. It hits & everything holds up. If it was here for over a week they would be out like mad. What I've noticed is when it first hits everything holds up till it passes or they have to feed. Like is,when cold we wait till we know the fire needs wood before we make the fridged trip to the shed for more. When the grounds froze they can't dig as well so food above ground is at times there best shot. This time of year (cold) is when vineyards,orchards & vegetable fields are good to check out. I know when I hunt around the vineyards around Paterson you just drive & look down the rows when it's cold & you can normally find a few. I'm no biologist but that's what I've come up with threw the years & my

[Jerry malbeck]

The cold temps have them hunkered down saving energy until later in the day. Coyotes know prey will not be out in the early morning hours and colder temps so they lay up. The full moon has a big effect on the hours  they hunt also. Night time I.E. total darkness is prime feeding time. Success  should be better at night with the moon .The reason you are seeing groups is they are hunting in groups.There are still dispersal males ganged up together not only for protection, But also for better results when hunting.Alpha male and females are still allowing subordinate females to hang with them and will continue to do so.Breeding season is coming, It wont be long, Now IS the time to be out calling.You have to think like a Coyote. Where is the best place to bed down to stay out of the wind and be able to see danger if it is approaching?Coyotes can go days without calories as long as they are not burning them up. Just because its cold as he-- does not mean they are out and moving,Bedding down out of the wind is a easy way to save energy. The snow must get very deep before it has much effect on them being successful hunters.Find the low lying grassy areas and intersecting draws,Orchards and Vineyards, Places that afford them cover and a source of food,Cows will almost always have coyotes near by, Why you ask ? as a bunch of cows move thru a area they are flushing rodents,rabbits and game birds from cover, They also make great lookouts.When the snow gets deep and temps drop into the minus the deer will also yard up and it makes it easy for coyotes to pick out the weak or wounded.Its going to be warming back up again and things will be much easier on them.Call shy coyotes are something we all have to deal with these days,Use your heads, Mix it up and paint a picture. Some of you will understand what i am saying, Vocals will be as productive as distress.Good callin.        

[hunter399]

I do agree been hand calling , and haven't seen a coyote yet since it snowed.

[jdb]

I had two wolves chase a coyote right to me Saturday

[Ridgeratt]

I had two wolves chase a coyote right to me Saturday

So after the ensuing gun fight the body count was including Collateral Damage?

[jdb]

One dead coyote