MAY 2012
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ON-LINE AT www.bigskyoutdoornews.net
Coyote Hunting Basics, Part I of II By Babe Winkelman
During that seasonal gap between chasing whitetails and hunting spring turkeys, there aren’t many game animals to pursue. But there’s still a lot of fun to be had in the wild, whether you’re shooting a bullet, shotgun shell or arrow. The quarry? Predator dogs, namely coyotes. If you’ve never hunted predators before, then you’re in for a real treat. The excitement level you feel when a hungry dog or cat is in hot pursuit of your calling is intense. To the predator, you’re a meal. It’s a classic case of the hunter becoming the hunted! By sealing the deal on a predator, you achieve several beneficial things when you pull that trigger or release that arrow. First, you’re rewarded with an invigorating sense of accomplishment for duping North America’s most wary and clever adversaries. Second, you harvest a trophy that looks fantastic as a full-body mount or rug in your den. Third, if you choose, you can turn that pelt into cold hard cash. The fur market is very good right now with strong sales in Asia, parts of Europe and elsewhere. Hunters and trappers who take large numbers of predators are doing quite well financially. And finally, the taking of a predator is a very sound conservation measure that benefits all kinds of critters - ground nesting birds especially. So, there’s no good reason NOT to go predator hunting. For many, the idea of getting started as a predator hunter is daunting. But honestly, there’s nothing to be apprehensive about. Chances are, you already own most of the equipment you’ll need. A 12-gauge shotgun is a great all-around weapon for coyotes. Granted, this is a close-range gun that will require more stealth and patience for humane shots inside of 40 yards. In the woodlands of Minnesota, a shotgun is pretty perfect since shot opportunities are generally close and often in heavier cover. As you travel west or southwest, the terrain opens up and calls for longer-reaching projectiles. Calibers like .223s, .22-250s and .243s and are ideal for their flat-shooting, hard-hitting ballistics. And for those who want a real challenge, bowhunting for coyotes is a true test of your hunting skills. Beyond your weapon, the other tools you’ll need are good camouflage clothing, scent elimination spray and calls. Camo is important because a coyote’s eyesight is incredibly acute. They can spot movement that a deer wouldn’t see. But don’t think that putting on a good pattern is enough. Be mindful of your set-up location and make sure you’re within good cover and have something behind you (like a hillside or big tree) to break up you human silhouette. You’ll want scent elimination spray because a ‘yote’s nose is just about as good as it gets. Think about the finest bird dog you ever hunted over and how impressive his nose was. A coyote’s nose is even better. And here’s the thing about a coyote... if they smell something that doesn’t fit in their environment, they’re gone. They don’t test the wind and look around like a deer does. They go, and go fast! So spray down with a good scent control product. Hunter Specialtiies makes some good ones, and they’re also a source for the final tools you need: predator calls. Every predator hunter has at least two calls in his hip pocket: a rabbit in distress call and a mouse squeaker. The rabbit squealer is a long- to mid-range call; the mouse squeaker can seal the deal up close. At the very least, have these calls. And make sure that if you’re in cottontail country, you’re blowing a cottontail call. If you’re in jackrabbit land, opt for that call. There are unique sounds between them and a keen dog can tell the difference. For the most part, a mouse is a mouse no matter where you go, so a squeaker works effectively anywhere. After you have your gear all organized, de-scented and ready to go, it’s time to hit the field. A solid plan of attack is essential, and that plan begins with scouting. Drive around your region to scout for concentrations of coyote sign, ranging from tracks to scat. If there’s snow on the ground, this task is made much easier. When you find signs of predators in an area, start knocking on doors for permission to hunt (unless you’re already scouting public lands). Most landowners want all their predators sent to the great beyond, so if you’re polite and conscientious, there’s a very good chance you’ll be granted with permission to hunt private land. In my next column, I’ll lay down some fundamentals of your actual hunt for coyotes. In the meantime, go online and watch some videos of successful coyote hunts. You’ll learn a lot by watching others call and harvest coyotes. Get excited, catch the fever, and consider off-season coyote hunting as a way to get your predatory fix while doing natural conservation a big, big favor. Until next time... Babe Winkelman is a nationally-known outdoorsman who has taught people to fish and hunt for more than 25 years. Watch the award-winning “Good Fishing” and “Outdoor Secrets” television shows on Versus, Fox Sports, Texas Channel and many local networks. Visit www.winkelman.com for air times or on Facebook.
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