Coyote Hunting

MLawZ71 · October 31, 2011

Curious if any of you actually go out with this purpose...and if so, what rifle do you use and what calls do you use?

Here in NY there is an actual season for coyote hunting and its pretty lengthy with no limit on how many you can bag. I saw a coyote the other night while deer hunting that I should have shot. He was 150 yards out, saw him early on in my watch so I passed on him (kicked myself later for it).

I was thinking about getting into it after deer season ends. What would I need? Maybe just a rabbit call and a fawn bleat? Would like to get a .223 but no room in the budget for it this year.

becker87 · October 31, 2011

I have gone out a few times with my uncle, he does it regularaly. We usually go out at night, middle of winter, snow on the ground, clear sky with full moon makes it just as light as day. It has to be calm so when we call(wounded rabbit schreech) the coyotes can here, as well as us hearing them. I have never got one although he has many times. It is a little creepy as it is dark out and you are just laying in the middle of a field. I shoot a .270 which works great. It sounds like all you need is a call, some patience and some luck!

gregrocks89 · October 31, 2011

I go coyote/deer hunting with the front bumper of my truck.

sourdough44 · October 31, 2011

Yes I do. Go to predatormasters.com to have ALL your questions answered.

MD Chevy · November 1, 2011

I do foxhunting which is similar to coyote hunting. I have a foxpro game call, it's electronic, and it calls in many types of game. You will be hard pressed to call them in with a hand call if you have not done so before.

As for gun I use a .17, .204, .243 and a shotgun. Good luck with what ever you do!

tyhuck · November 1, 2011

Oh, you mean intentionally hunt coyote. Ive shot a few while deer hunting, but I wouldnt suggest using a 30-06 if you want to keep the hide. Makes kind of a mess.

wavery · November 1, 2011

This might drop a coyote with the right ammo:

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/114468/re...3-9x-40mm-matte

I'm thinking of getting one to shoot gophers out the D/R window...

muzzle velocities of up to 1000 fps (using 22 cal alloy pellets) You can get them in hollow point but that may decrease penetration on a coyote.

BigRed41 · November 2, 2011

I have killed some just by deer hunting and actuall sitting out there and calling for them. You def need it to be calm so that they can hear the calls. Also be in an open area bc they don't stop for long and you need as much space so that you can get your shot off before they go back in the brush. For which call to use I have an electric caller which works great and the hand held ones do too but you have to be good at making the natural call. Play around with an electric caller and see what works best for your area. I hunt in south Texas and the rabbit in distress works best for me. Another suggestion would buy an additional speaker so that it will be louder bc if they can't hear anything you will just be enjoying the scenary. When your hunting you want to be up against a brush line or a good background cover so that its harder for them to see but they detect movement very easily so be ready to shoot at any time bc you have a matter of seconds before they realize that something isn't right. With your rifle selection, that is all perference. If you plan on mounting some and throwing away others then get a low profile rifle, like a .222 swift, .223, 22-250, or a .243. They are fast, flat and go a long ways. If you already have some rifles you can use them but you will have to aim differently so that you won't destroy the hide on the exit side. A .270 is a great gun and I have two, but I wouldn't go higher than that caliber unless you don't plan on keeping the coyote. You will see that other varmits will be attracted to it too. I have killed a couple of bobcats and badgers actually useing a caller.

Hope I helped.

Prdtrgttr · November 2, 2011

I hunt coyotes a lot in the winter here in Southern Alberta. Hence my handle! There are lots of them, and they have beautiful hides. I hunt them on foot, not from my truck. I spot and stalk them or call. A 223 is a great choice for a gun.

Here's my brother with a big coyote from the northern part of Alberta.

MLawZ71 · November 3, 2011

Thats a huge coyote!

Prdtrgttr · November 3, 2011

You're right! From that same area we shot a coyote that was an even 40lbs, and this one was bigger yet...When a coyote hits the 40lb mark they are Boone and Crockett material!

wavery · November 3, 2011

I hunt coyotes a lot in the winter here in Southern Alberta. Hence my handle! There are lots of them, and they have beautiful hides. I hunt them on foot, not from my truck. I spot and stalk them or call. A 223 is a great choice for a gun.
Here's my brother with a big coyote from the northern part of Alberta.

You guys sure feed your coyotes well....... Our's are all skinny and scraggly looking.

RCP · November 5, 2011

I've shot LOTS of them, usually using an electronic predator call with the cottontail distress call but I do have a few mouth calls as well. As for weapon of choice I've used everything from a compound bow, to a handgun, a shotgun with 00 buck and rifles from .17HMR all the way up to a 7mm Mag. It's fun to do and I took it up when I could no longer afford to deer hunt here in Texas with the price of leases. Most ranchers will grant you permission to varmint hunt on their property as long as your responsible and clean up after yourself and it gives me the opportunity to keep up with my hunting and shooting skills. I've even gotten lucky and managed to call in a few bobcats, and a fox every now and then.

BlackZ71Silverado · November 6, 2011

I hunt coyotes a lot in the winter here in Southern Alberta. Hence my handle! There are lots of them, and they have beautiful hides. I hunt them on foot, not from my truck. I spot and stalk them or call. A 223 is a great choice for a gun.
Here's my brother with a big coyote from the northern part of Alberta.

That's got to be the best looking coyote I have ever seen taken. All of the coyotes around here are mostly skin and bone, they look sick. That looks like a German Shepard that the owner loves to feed......That "Yote" will make a great little rug.

mwatters · November 27, 2011

Awesome man, lets talk calibur. The rounds can be tough to get at certain points of the year, but i would tell you to go .17 cal all day long! Its purpose is varmits. Has a great ballistics chart, very accurate, relatively cheap, but most importantly, here in Illinois we have no hills and plenty of barns. You don't want to have to worry about richochet so the .17 was created with the purpose of fragmenting and dissipating on impact for safety. A safe bullet, ha-ha. Load it in the truck, be safe, and save the rabbits. Good luck.