Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: Todd_ID on March 06, 2011, 04:38:21 PM

Title: New to coyote hunting
Post by: Todd_ID on March 06, 2011, 04:38:21 PM: I am going to start coyote hunting for fun, but I have a few questions to help start me on the right foot. I know I've got a great area behind my house because I can call one in to my shop pretty much whenever I want at night, but it's too hard to see the pins on my bow, so I haven't got one that way yet. I'll be hunting them with an AR-15 in 5.56, so calling them to my shop door won't work with other houses close. All my hunting will be in wide open country where I can generally see them from a very long ways.

Is there a better time of day to call them in? (don't have a night vision scope, so night is probably out)
What do you guys do with them after you shoot them? (No, I'm not eating one!)
Can you get them to bow range, or should I stick to the rifle because I'd only get one a year with a bow?
Do you typically pass on a 250-300 yard shot if you think he'll come closer, or do you miss too many chances by passing?
Should I set up where I can see better (flat field/open hillside) or where if I see one it'll be in range right then (steep draw)?
How far should I move between calling sets, and how long should I figure on making one setup last before moving?
If you shoot one in one place, do you need to move then, or should you stay and keep calling at that place?

I know these are easily answered by going with a mentor to learn the ropes, but I don't know anybody who hunts them. I'm hoping the experience on here can give me a couple steps ahead.
Thanks Guys!
Title: Re: New to coyote hunting
Post by: trippledigitss on March 07, 2011, 08:53:08 AM: I have only been doing this for a little over a year now but I think I am at 8 dogs now? (and I think I pretty much listed them all here! :chuckle: ) Anyway, here is my nickel's worth of free advice...

- I seem to have best luck 1st thing in the morning within an hour or two of sun up. But I have got a couple in the mid day sun/heat too
- After a photo op, I flop them in the brush somewhere near where they drop :chuckle: (unless I am doing predator control for a landowner, then I lay them near the trail they came in on)
- Never used a bow in my life (but you can only shoot one a year with a bow?)
- Have only seen one over 200yds but I called & waited and he came into about 30. For me closer is better and shotgun is the best!
- I would setup where I have the best view and shooting perspective and try & call them to me.
- Due to their hearing & scent I would move at least a mile but have gotten away with less. Have had dogs come in after 45min to an hour
- I have also shot a dog and had one come in less than 5-10 later. Ki-yi for a few minutes after you shoot the 1st one.

Good luck - seems calling has been really tough lately. I need to get out & scout some new places. I think I have over hunted my favorite spots.
Title: Re: New to coyote hunting
Post by: trippledigitss on March 07, 2011, 09:05:31 AM: Oh yeah - and if you plan on shooting the ones behind your house I wouldnt call them much more until you are ready to drop em. They will get edjumacated real quick!
Title: Re: New to coyote hunting
Post by: Instinct on March 07, 2011, 09:06:48 AM: Not true wth the bow part. Y would the season be year long and no limits wth coyotes, wth a bow its gonna be hella tricky to get em n bow range but if u can get em n then have fun.
Title: Re: New to coyote hunting
Post by: trippledigitss on March 07, 2011, 09:19:58 AM: Quote from: Instinct on March 07, 2011, 09:06:48 AM
Not true wth the bow part. Y would the season be year long and no limits wth coyotes, wth a bow its gonna be hella tricky to get em n bow range but if u can get em n then have fun.

that seems to make alot more sense
Title: Re: New to coyote hunting
Post by: Todd_ID on March 07, 2011, 11:50:58 AM: I meant the one a year with a bow as asking if that was all the opportunity I would get if I tried only with the bow; are they so wary that you'll never get a shot under 50 yards?
Thanks for the info so far!
Title: Re: New to coyote hunting
Post by: trippledigitss on March 07, 2011, 12:03:31 PM: I think getting them inside 50yds is fairly easy myself. But I mostly hunt on the westside in fairly wooded areas vs the east where it is wide open. Besides two including the very 1st one I got - over on the east side in Quincy with PredatorPro's help - which was at about 175yds, every one I've shot has been inside 30yds. Some even around 10-15yds. Also over there I called one from at least a 1/2mi away to about 30-40yds at most but I got too greedy trying to get him closer and I think it got a whiff of me or my decoy and took off running so I didnt shoot. Over here I even got one that came in from my left where I didnt expect it, it saw me and ran off but then started slinking back cuz it wanted my rabbit decoy. Once it got to about 75yds I shot it instead of waiting but I'm sure it would have come in closer if not all the way. I set up about 30yds from my decoy/caller and they will come all the way into it nearly every time.