i think over break i would like to try my hand in some coyote hunting. i think ill bring my slug gun for long range and bring my bow in case something gets close. anybody hear bowhunt for coyotes? if so got any tips?
ive gone a few time but only got one,their tough to take its hard to get a draw on them. I baited them in with a rabbit call and some table scraps and i got a couple to come close but not close enough for a confident shot. Hopefully some other more expeirenced guys will chime in so i can get some tips as well.
Those little frickers bust me all of the time. So far, I've only been able to get one shot off on one with the bow, this season. had several encounters. We've been blasting yotes with guns for a very long time. They would stress out our race horses and kill our livestock. My grandfather used to do his best to scare them off, but, eventually, more "permanent" measures needed be utilized. As far as calling to them, I dont have much experience, but, KNOW YOU RANGE. It's tough to get them stopped, and, they dont stop for long. The one I shot at this year, I mis-judged the range by around 5yards and gave it a hair cut.
i also missed one with the bow this year. i got it to stop, shot and it ducked faster than a deer would and with a lot less target to hit, its tough. make sure to aim low. another tips is, make sure they dont see you calling or smell you when your calling. yotes get very call shy if they bust you.
I've hunted them, but never with a bow. Its something I might try this year. Tip, you will have a lot better success getting them in closer with a remote call and decoy that moves(feather or TP on a stick that can flap in the wind, little kids toys that move like one of those weasels on a ball things.) Always face down wind, coyotes will try to circle down wind and pick up your sent before getting to close(50-100yrds). Use something to cover your scent, I know a guy that kept a skunk scent bladder or something in a mason jar. He would open it and place it down wind of him. Watch for crows or mag pies, they like to follow coyotes around hoping to catch a meal. If you use a decoy that doesnt move(or even if you do) Be extremely careful with your movement, they can see your fingers moving at over 100yrds. Make your movements slowly and when they are in close, draw your bow or make movements while he is moving. Sit against something (sage brush, tree, rocks). I've read instances of guys being attacked from behind while using hand calls. If you have good camo, they usually dont know what you are. They just know you sound like a wounded animal and they can pin point exactly where the sound is coming from. I dont think this hardly ever happens though. Watch for bob cats and cougars around rock formations, they will come into to the calls sometimes. I would bring a rifle in case you cant get them in close enough. I find it easier to hunt in small fingers or depressions that are maybe 200 yrds across or less. It gives you an advantage since they have to come into your hole before they can spot you. If the ridges are bare, it will make them much easier to spot coming in. Be ready to sit motionless for 30-45 min. (use a pad to keep your butt warm and dry, and keep your legs from falling asleep). Sometimes after you kill one you can wait 15min and start calling again and bring in another one without moving, but that usually only works once before you need to pack up and move to a new location. Always face down wind.
