What should I know to get started Coyote hunting

[teddy12b]

Hey Everyone,
           I'd like to get started hunting Coyotes.  I never have in the past and aside from what I've seen on video, I have no idea how to and what a good area to hunt coyotes would be.  I have all the camo I'll ever need and I guns for that matter too.  I plan on getting comfortable out to 300 yards with my 223, but would I be better off with my shotgun?

Do I need an electric caller?  Anyone use those?

Is this something where I can just pull over and start calling 50 yards from the truck?  Wait a half hour then get back in the truck and try again?

I just don't know where to get started.  Any friendly help would be appreciated.  Thanks!

[~Ace~]

Well... If you already have a good idea on Scent control, and playing the wind, you just need a area that has Yotes, and a call.

Hand calls take more time to learn than a E-caller, but I have found Both to be very effective, it depends on where I'm hunting on which I use.

Is this something where I can just pull over and start calling 50 yards from the truck?  Wait a half hour then get back in the truck and try again?

As a matter of fact, in simple terms, YES

But to become a Effective caller you have to master all aspects of it, you have to find the dogs, call the dogs, NOT get busted by the dogs, AND actually Shoot / Kill the dogs.  You did not say what part of the country your in, and that would be a Big factor on what gun to use and what methods. ~Ace~

[teddy12b]

I'm in Indiana and would be hunting public lands.  Supposedly we have a decent population of them in our state and I'd like to go find out.

[skb2706]

First and foremost you should know "someone who owns great coyote property" everything else is pretty easy to get and use.

[Qaz]

 Teddy- the best way to get started is to just start. You can read all you want and take every ones advice and still mess up. If you pay real close attention to what you are doing, then the coyotes that you see and do not kill will teach you faster than any method I know of. When I first started, I read every thing I could and still do, but the coyotes don't read this stuff and they do things their way when they come in, so I am always adjusting to what is going on. I read that a coyotes ears will get him into trouble, but his eyes and nose get him out of it. I think that is a good thing to remember. Good luck, you will need it!

Qaz

[Ladobe]

I first started chasing predators it in the 50's, and have never looked back.   So I can tell you the very first thing you should do is hug the kids and kiss the wife.   You won't be seeing them much once you find out that predator hunting is arguably the most challenging and fulfilling type of hunting you will ever do.   Good idea to start getting your story straight and worked out too.   You know, the one as to why most vacations will now be taken where they will be taken from now on.       

As suggested, you learn it best from lots of experience.  Both from the mistakes you will certainly make and when you do get it right.   And FWIW, you never stop learning, or making mistakes.   Now days there are endless books, videos and both useful and "all hype" tools to get you on your way.   And you could always ride on the shirt tails of an experienced predator hunter if you know one who will take you along (although to me predator hunting is much more enjoyable done alone).   Would be a shame not to learn how to use mouth calls effectively before diving into those electronic doodads though.   You'd miss a big part of developing and pitting your own skills against a very worthy opponent.   Enclosed reed calls are very easy and can be learned well enough on the first outing to sometimes call predators in if all else is right.  You'll also learn that more so than with other types of hunting, success is not measured by whether you draw blood or not.   It's the total experience of being the one hunted (for a change) that is a lot of its appeal.   Especially true if you get to the point of calling the species with mouth calls that can be dangerous to your body.   

Almost any "weapon" can be used - modern or primitive.   I went back to basics with small bore traditional muzzleloaders and my mountainman reenactment attire 4-5 years ago (have always only used mouth calls I make myself).   Did it in the 70's (including with long bows) and am glad I went back to it.   Enjoy the extra challenge way more now than all the years I did ADC for ranchers with modern laser guided missile launchers and camo.    With a good set up camo is really just one of those "hype" tools IMO. 

Kind of envy you just getting started.   You are in for some very fine times.   Good luck with it.

 

[Glanceblamm]

Ladobe 

On a scale from 1 to 10 I will give you a 12 on that post
You wouldn't have any of those fancy custom made calls laying around that you would part with, would you?

[Tony Gable]

Hey Everyone,
           I'd like to get started hunting Coyotes.  I never have in the past and aside from what I've seen on video, I have no idea how to and what a good area to hunt coyotes would be.  I have all the camo I'll ever need and I guns for that matter too.  I plan on getting comfortable out to 300 yards with my 223, but would I be better off with my shotgun?

Do I need an electric caller?  Anyone use those?

Is this something where I can just pull over and start calling 50 yards from the truck?  Wait a half hour then get back in the truck and try again?

I just don't know where to get started.  Any friendly help would be appreciated.  Thank

 Hi Teddy,
 I too am new to coyote and crow hunting. Went out today for both. Spotted some crows and magpies eating on something in a field.Started watching and saw a coyote also. 600 plus yards out. Wind at my back. Bad spot to be in.Remembered a road around the other side of them. Got over there and hiked about half a mile to get within range. Set up on a rock pile and started calling. Couldn't get the coyotes interested in a dieing rabbit. I think they were laying down in the willow patch and weren't coming out. A crow landed on top of a fence post. Bad idea for him. It was about a 300 yard shot. The crow is still there for ever. Dogs took off. One straight at me and the other off to the left. I took 2 shots at the one coming at me. I think I may have wounded him but lost him in the high brush. The other stopped about 500 yards out in the field. I shot at him and just missed. He took of like a bullet. One more running shot and he disappeared. 1 crow and no coyotes. Could have been better but I learned alot. Good camo, wind in my face and careful stalking. I just got impatient. Lesson learned.

 Good hunting,
 Tony