Calling Coyotes In March

[CoyoteSlayer]

I was wondering if many of you have much luck calling yotes this late in the season? There isn't any snow left and most of the dogs I am seeing are paired up, and usually around the cows that are calving. What would be the best sounds to use this time of year? I was wondering if the cottontail or bird calls would still be effective, seems like the dogs wouldn't be as hungry, especially the ones hanging around the calves with all the afterbirth to eat? I was thinking about a challenge or pup in distress? Based on your experiences, what do you all recommend this late in the game, are they still responsive to calls? Should I mix in a few different calls during each set? any tips are greatly appreciated!

[shoot-em-dead]

Try a calving cow call.

[stumprat]

This time of year I have the best luck with.......Fawn distress,or Pup distress

[CoyoteSlayer]

Foxpro actually has a calf in distress, but I have yet to use it...never heard of anyone using it either. I like the pup in distress, but I never know how long to let it run, and I also wonder how many times I should play it during a set. I have had dogs go nuts when I first play it, but then I will play it again after a few minutes and never see them nor hear them again 

[carpsniperg2]

hard calling sob right now but prey sounds will still work give it a few more weeks and the pupdistress and coyote death cry will be great also find a den site and use the challange howl had good luck using that were i know a den is and no pups yet.

[furbearer365]

With a name like Coyoteslayer, i would think that you would be the one to tell us this info. .  All coyote sounds. Vocalization, pup distress, or adult coyote distress.

[Big10gauge]

Your best bet would be using coyote vocalizations, I would probably not use any challenge calls right now unless they challenge you,but more of the I'm a coyote and here I am. The distress calls will work but probably a lower % of them will come in right now. The pup distress can be used at the end of your set.

[CoyoteSlayer]

Good point furbearer! I must say, this is my first year doing any calling myself, I have been out a few times in the past but only a handful in over ten years. My buddy and I have shot 44 dogs since the beginning of January, but I am definitely still in the learning process, and have no experience this time of year. I am really getting into it though...already dropped way too much on a new scope and 22-250   another buddy wants to get in on the action, and has a new spot to go tomorrow, but I didn't have much luck calling over the weekend so I was wondering if its getting too late and I was hoping for some pointers!

[shaneman153D]

I've had the best luck so far this season in the last week and a half.  Could be because I finally figured out how to call.  I usually start out with a rabbit distress for 7-8 mins, pup distress for 7-8 mins, and then I try howling.  Have had the most luck lately howling and with the pup distress.

[tlbradford]

Everything may work this time of year.  The denned up coyotes will be looking for an easy meal, as well as protecting their denning sites.  I agree with Big10gauge that you don't want to sound too tough when using howls.  They'll start dropping pups towards the end of this month and thru April, so bring a shovel and kill the pups to save them from a slow death if you plan to hunt during that time.

[CoyoteSlayer]

Well I guess I answered my own questions today, saw 9 dogs in 5 sets (5 dogs came in on the second set). My buddy missed his first shot, at about 60 yards  but then on our 4th set I brought in a pair, let them walk past me at about 50 yards and he got his first coyote ever; head shot at under 50 yards. We both then proceeded to miss its mate as it took off running.  I had a couple shots on dogs at about 350-400 yards that I chose not to take because of the wind (and the chance I would hit them with no wind is already low enough). We heard dogs everywhere we went, they were very vocal today. Anyway, exciting end to my season, now its time to focus on sheds and soon it will be turkey season. My buddy sure is hooked though, its always great to see someone take their first! Thanks for the help everyone, I tried a little of everything today, it was pretty easy to get them going...maybe it had something to do with the fact that it was all private and mostly un-hunted land!