29 replies to this topic

[acewhite]

Ive never hunted coytes but it sure looks like a good time. I have hunted deer pigs n birds.
I live in Orange County, CA and i'm headed out somewhere this weekend to try my luck.
I know better than ask for any areas
If anyone is interested in going shoot me a PM
I drive n buy lunch

[Frank]

Ace, good luck, have fun, and be SAFE...

Oh, and report back, whether you slay one or not. Pls include pics should you slay one... or more! Cell phone pics will work too.

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Good luck on the hunt Ace.

[acewhite]

Satisfaction comes from the hunt- i'm looking forward to stomping new grounds. I'll definitely report back; maybe with success/ maybe not.

[Bisley]

Good luck, there are plenty of areas in all directions of you.

[BCF]

Good luck, and have fun. Even if you don't get one, you'll find sign, and scout areas to try for the next time. I rarely hunt the same stands- I like to find new areas. It took me about 6 tries before I called one in and killed one all by my lonesome. Then, I was getting one (or my buddy getting one that I called), nearly every trip.

[acewhite]

Question: whats the best method?
Find an area with sign, hole up and start calling?

[Frank]

Pretty much...

Fresh, wet, dark scat can be good. Whenever seeing that, I usually call right there. I killed my biggest coyote doing that. Tracks are good of course, but seeing the whole coyote even better. lol Same as with the scat, if I see a coyote, I will act like I didn't (see him), & either pull over right there, or more often, drive a short ways past, pull over & quietly walk back towards his direction, find a nice spot & call. We have actually called in packs of coyotes doing that, after seeing only one run accross the road in front of us.

Now with that said, some areas (Salton Sea) may look like a moon landscape, with little to no vegetation, and not find any coyote sign... BUT can contain LOTS of coyotes...

There could be a LOT of answers to your question. For the most part, it's normally just gonna take a lot of time, $$ & energy to find good areas. Normally! Lots of driving, scouting and boot leather etc.

Maps, especially BLM & Forestry may be at least one of your best friends when it comes to public lands. Of course obtaining permission to hunt private would be ideal. What about that ranch you plan on deer hunting on? Could that be a possibility?

Public lands near or next to agriculture areas can be good. Same with public or private lands near roadless or no public access areas. Places where coyotes can live basically undisturbed and thrive in other words.

Don't get overwhelmed when seeing vast areas of flat desert with lots of sage. Especially if hills are semi close by; and especially if no public &/or vehicle access is allowed in those hills. Just find a bit of an opening in that flat land brush, sit down and call. A shotgun may help here. Maybe!

Good Luck

[rustygun]

Good luck and have some fun. The only way to find them is to get out there.

[acewhite]

thanks for the tips Frank
the ranch we'll be hunting deer on has a huge predator problem- it's a dairy ranch- unfortunately it's also 400 miles away

[Frank]

400 miles? That's barely out of L.A.

Well, ok, slight exageration. LOL However, I do drive approx that distance once or twice a year to one of my favorite (or new) predator hunting location. So 400 miles to hunt a private place with a predator problem would be... well, no problem (for me). But, I am a sick individual!

Let us know how you do, and good luck

[acewhite]

Spent the morning trying my luck calling in some coyotes.
No luck although there was plenty of fresh sign and tons of rabbitts.
I think I may need to practice with the caller.....
On the bright side I did bag a few huge jackrabbitts

[Frank]

Hey, that's why they call it "hunting", right?! Even the best (baseball) hitters strike out 70% of the time, or there abouts.

Anyway, hang in there... It will happen!

[Yateswell]

change your mind yet about that 400 miles driving? There are coyotes there for sure.

[acewhite]

No change of plans. I don't wanna wear out my welcome on the ranch although I will take advantage of the opportunity.
Theres plenty of coyotes here in So Cal and I know eventually i'll get this down.

[acewhite]

I spent a few evenings this week scouting out some spots, ordered and recieved a Mojo Critter and also been practicing with the caller.
Headed out Sunday with my son to try my luck again or at the very least enjoy a nice relaxing morning.
Everyone have a good weekend yourself!

[Yote hunter]

400 miles is a long way to hunt coyotes.

[Frank]

Is this a test?

[Bisley]

Besides not seeing your previous post Frank I wonder what he thinks about me driving 350 miles this Sunday just to see if the rabbits look good so that I can drive another 350 miles for the opener there the following weekend, then another 350 miles again three days later on Wednesday the 4th because it is a holiday and one of the few days I have off to hunt . I swear, hunting is going to be the death of me, but what a way to go

[Frank]

LOL... Yeah, Bob, one does not have to be a little nuts to do our sport.... but it sure helps!

[Yateswell]

I think you're nuts, and nuts like me enjoying reading your posts.

[modoc squeek shooter]

I have to secnd that Yates, I am sure Frank is nuts lol, but then again ain't we all lol. ED

[Frank]

LOL... Thanks guys... (I think(?)

[acewhite]

Bisley I can show you rabbits closer than 350 miles from West Covina!
Or maybe you've stumbled upon a field of 4' tall jacks somewhere?

[Bisley]

Yeah, but my spots are worth the drive just be there , A lot of (family) tradition and memories, plus it is about as perfect as a canyon can get, but thanks. I would show you, but then I would have to kill you . I kid (somewhat ). And it's only cottontail I look for . I would rather drink L.A. tap water than eat jacks . Besides, this is also kind real early bird scouting trip also. No matter what's in season, I always have birds on my mind . I suppose I could take a few coyote calls along in case I get a wild hair and quit thinking about birds for a minute or two . Especially since I almost ran one over in January hauling butt to get out to the field for birds! Knew I should have brought a rifle instead of just a truck

[Frank]

Besides... everyone knows fishing is always better on the "other side" of the lake

[Yateswell]

Bisley does not like bunnies with LA zip code, he likes the "wilder" ones.

[Bisley]

Besides... everyone knows fishing is always better on the "other side" of the lake

Bisley does not like bunnies with LA zip code, he likes the "wilder" ones.

You guys crack me up. Yeah, when I go out there, it's like going back "home". Well worth the drive (ugh!). I just cringe at the thought of there not being many rabbits there , that would mean that next weekend would be a 600 mile one day round trip for some really wild Inyo county bunnies . Gotta go to bed, 3:30 comes early on my one day off .

[acewhite]

Skunked again today on the coyotes, but my son joined me so the experience was priceless
We spent the morning at two spots then set up targets and practiced some shooting. Good times

[BCF]

I went out this morning with a couple friends and my son. Tough conditions for sure right now the desert. Hot and dry. We looked at 3 water sources. 2 were dry and 3rd almost dry. Also wind was switching up a lot.
Finally around 6 am, found a nice draw about a mile from a spring, parked the truck a Long ways off upwind and headed for the shade. Sat in front of a bush for a few minutes, let things calm down and settle, and started ripping on my open red long valley call.

After about 5 seconds I just barely see the back of a coyote appear on a ridge 1000 yards out. I keep ripping on the call after a short pause. I wait and maybe 5 minutes later he appears 100 yards to my left and downwind walking real slow and cautious. At this point of course i'm not calling and he is coming in slow but steady looking right at me but not sure what I am. I really want my buddy to shot this one since he never got one and the fun for me is calling them. Since he's walking like he's fairly committed I want him to get closer and in front of us. Then something about his walk changes and I get the feeling he might bust us soon.I whisper to my buddy to take him when he has him good.

Well, he was a mangy sucker so I just kept the tail. Made another stand but got really hot and headed home. Now my son REALLY wants to get his license!

All I can say is when its hot and not much water is its really tough but we made the best of it by starting very early.