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!