46 replies to this topic

[Colin]

ZZZIIINNNGGG! Ouch, that is rough on the poor guy! I like knowing I am not the only one that has missed once, well maybe more than once.

[tawnoper]

Let your areas rest!!!That is good advice to follow for everyone. It is great when guys let their good areas rest between hunts; that way I have those areas all to myself.

[shooter93]

I am new here on this site, Ive called a few coyotes in, i was reading the comments on this, there is alot of ideas. this is my order for succes.1. is location ( because you hear them there at night dont tell you nothing)2. after a good location is found the best way to call it, and have a back up plan .(never no when the wind or sun isnt right if it isnt leave it alone for another day)3. shade is great but if not lay down even behind a small bush i always try to get in the shady part, but ive called coyote in laying behind a few 6 inch high rocks dont move lay still and turn your head real slow and move your eye to look.4. dont shoot at the 300 yarder let him work to 100 or less yards or untill he starts to get spooked, alot of time they get a stupid look in their eyes and kinda hoop sideway and arent sure what you are( easy to stop just woof like a dog)5. dont take anyone that will pigeon hole you later once you find good calling spots and they take everyone else.6. when calling watch the likely spot for arrival and watch every where else especailly the side wind sides, usaully if the are behind you it is to late unless close and shotgun them. but watch for cats anywhere the dont use the nose much7.watch the arrival of ravens magpies, hawks, even eagels, and watch where they came from, if nothing shows call at least a 1 hour because probaly a bobcat, and look far and look real close because bobcats can be feet away and you never saw them come in.8. i have one secert i use. i use a rabbit about 4 times then i go to a young coyote howl and right back to a rabbit alot of time this triggers mr. mac daddy of the area to come kickass and steal the rabbit9. always take a shotgun, because i suck at 20ft and closer shots with a rifle10. another trick i use really fires a dog up, you cant do with a Elec caller, i get a high high pitch with a shaking sound in my throat that makes it sound like something is shaking the hell out of a rabbit, you are a car salesman (rabbit)selling your rabbit.

[Colin]

Good points Shooter93...With closed reed calls, I will roll my tongue while blowing through the call. This gives it a different sound (kind of like that shaking idea). It can really get them moving in. I've always said that something that is dying, doesn't always just moan, They scream, choke, spit, etc....I always keep that in mind. Also, pay close attention to the coyotes body language... After awhile, you will be able to notice little things that will cue you into when and if they are going to bolt. I've seen a lot of videos where they use a decoy and let the coyote get right up to the decoy. Don't get me wrong, I understand that this is for advertisement or filming purposes. But I have made this mistake myself. Once they get close, they will typically spook, probably because of scent...Sometimes when a coyote catches your scent, they will show no body language, besides taking off.

[dangerranger]

OK, heres mine on finding good spots.1 buy raffle tickets to every 4H or FFA event. go to their dinners and buy their chochlate bars. while there ask if they have seen many coyotes.2 attend every stock auction.3 become fast friends with the guys buying sheep and goats.4 introduce your self as a coyote hunter to everyone you meet. its easier than you think.5 a good place to meet ranchers is at the local coffee shop. look for one with mostly pickups parked outside.6 waitresses are sometimes a good source of info. a good tip may get you one in return.these are things that work for me, I also get ground squirrel spots that way. DR

[shooter93]

When taking someone that is new, watch them! Make sure they are safe, I try to keep them close to where i set, would hate to be between a coyote and them with the fast action, watch them before you get to the stand, do they point their gun at you, hand you the gun when crossing fences, keep their safty on while going to the stand, what is their limits with the gun, do they take their kids with them or show up with their freind, do they hide a flask in their coat, or drugs, i would rather take a kid before alot of the dads, dads think they know everything, kids dont know nothing and will listen, invite rancher kids to go hunting with you or the rancher alot of times the rancher wont go because they are to busy to go but will let you go anytime you want, shut all gates, check out with the rancher when leaving( keep a coyote from earlier you shot in the pickup and show him what you got) be freinds with the game warden and invite him to go hunting with you. that is preps before the hunt.

[Broncowilly]

Although new to this site I've been coyote calling for 25 years and I've learned a couple of little things over those years.One of those things, an old friend, Bill Lawrence (since passed RIP) told me when I was first starting out was don't blow too hard. Now, I know with the advent of electronic calls, mouth calls are used less and less but for a beginner the mouth call, when done right or even somewhat right, will bring a great deal of satisfaction and call in the dogs. It much cheaper too! Blow through the call from your abdomen and blow consistent. Use your hand and form your mouth to change pitch. Don't blow too hard as you will cause the reeds to over vibrate and let out a very unnatural sound thus scaring off the dog you just "almost" called in. As mentioned earlier, don't blow too loud early on in the set-up. Start out soft and low and take it up a notch or two as you progress through the set. Don't blow too hard to get more volume.As I said using mouth calls is great fun and rewarding however one should use great caution when calling. A coyote can see the slightest of movement from a great distance and with what do you hold the mouth call? Yep, your hands so wear camouflage gloves and move very slowly watching for anything out of the natural for the area you hunt.Another little tid-bit is to use an old white sock and some light fishing line. Put the sock out about 50 yards in front of your set-up and drape the sock over a small bush or plant. Pull the line so that the sock dances on the ground for you. I wrap the line around the toe of my boot and just move my foot. I place brush in front of my foot so the movement cant be detected. Also as stated earlier, being quiet getting to your set up is very important. Don't start calling until you (and the dogs) have had a chance to "cool down" to the movement and noise of you getting to and setting up at your set-up.Don't be afraid to walk either. Park your rig far from your set-up. Bottom line? Go out, pick a spot, do some calling and have some fun! Heck, maybe a coyote will come in on a string to your set-up and BLAM! DDD! Dead Dog Down!

[BrentB]

Great thread...Sun to your back and the dogs will usually take the easiest route in...check

[leftfoot]

By what everyone says I'm guessing that using my wifes cat as bait isn't a prefered method.

[Frank]

now ya tell me

[Hound Dog]

Thanks for the info. That was really cool of you to do this.

Thanks for the info.I will try that..

[chuey]

i have noticed that giving out hunting locations is a sin. but is there anyway you can make and exception?i am new at this sport and just want somebody to point me in the right direction. i don't want your gold minefor coyotes, just an area to go legally and safely. just want to do it right. a nice place you know. we all startedout beginners. i can understand and do respect the work you have put in this sport.

[ThatKidCash]

Sweet! Thank you for making this thread and for all of the helpful responses. Time to get out there and make mistakes, but maybe not as many as if this thread had never been read.

[spearodafish]

New to the forum, but I too have hunted dogs for a while. Everything mentioned is great advice and will make it easier to send newbies too when asked about some of the basics. A small thing I do with my partner is to have a scatter gun cover the back door if brushy while sitting back to back with a long gun in open field area. If one of us spots an in-bound target then we use the small bulb mouse squeaker to alert the other. This prevent talking and makes sure one of us doesn't get up prematurely. If you do stand up and call it, then scan for anything you might have missed before walking away. Nice to see information sharing like this. I've had countless conversations with prospective predator hunters and have taken them to the field to experience alot of what had been mentioned, especially the truck door slamming right after I tell them to push it closed. Oh well....we all gotta learn. Great thread and forum!

[SFSMedic]

Great info thanks for putting this stuff up.

[Win4me]

Hey guys thanks for all the great info i am a total newbie to the predator hunting! I think I have the gear to go now, I have full camo head to toe, turkey vest with a seat, foxpro spitfire call, mouse squeeker, sako forester 243 with 3x9 varmint scope, custom barrel and timney trigger, and of course a 12 ga with #4 buckshot, and a good 4x4 truck. Here is the deal though I have 5 bobcat tags burning a hole in my pocket and am trying to decide on a general area to try before the season ends. I am not looking for a spot just general area. I was thinking of either ridgecrest area, barstow area, or out by amboy(mojave preserve). If anyone has any last minute tips for bobcat I would appreciate it. Looking forward to hearing more about the sport and of course go through my own learning curve. Thanks in advance!!

[BCF]

Just because I didn't see it- I'll add one of mine, but probably obvious...never stand or walk tall over ridges and skyline yourself. Everything will see you for miles. I'll slowly crawl over them if I have to- especially if I think or know there's a coyote there watching.2) If you make wood shooting sticks, check that the wood doesn't have cracks before taking it out...or you might break it before ever taking a shot...how do I know...?I like the trick with the fishing line and decoy over a bush. I might have to try that. Good one.