Thinking of trying my hand at coyote hunting....

[New Hampshire]

....And I have a few Questions I hope some people here can answer.  OK, first question.  I dont want to invest very much money into set-up.  By that I mean that I have proper weaponry, but dont want to spend hundreds of dollars on calling systems and such.  What is the best, least expensive way, to get going?  My buddy had a good idea about going to the pet store and getting one of those furry cat toys on the spring.  We were thinking we could tie some fishing line to it and get it wobbling while we lay in wait a few yards away.  Then I had an idea.  Since we would be going to the pet store I figure we could get some kind of squeek toy, a nice and loud one, to use for calling.  Im pretty sure I can get a coyote howler call since its close to turkey season and they can be used as turkey locators.  Seem like a good idea?  Could there be any better suggestions?
Next, this is what I have for firepower: 6" GP100 .357 Mag, Ruger 10/22 22lr (with red dot scope,) 12 ga with both smooth bore and rifled bbls (Rifled bbl w/scope and mount) a .45 Sig and T/C Encore in 30-06 with scope.  Which would be the best weapon for Coyotes?  These are Northeastern yotes, so they are pretty big, but the ranges will most likely be short.  Im not looking to pelt hunt, though my friend might keep a hide or two and tan it.
Last:  I mentioned my above T/C.  Im thinking that if this turns out to be a good off-season adventure for me I might want to add a more appropriate bbl to my Encore colection.  The choices I am looking at are: .22 Hornet, .223 Remington and 243 winchester.  Ive got experience with the .223, and would have no problem loading the others.  Which would be your choice of caliber?  So far Im liking the 22 Hornet, though I hear you need to be a little careful when resizing as the case walls are pretty thin.  But it seems to offer plenty of punch over what I would use it for and it is supposed to be more quiet than the .223 and 243 Win.  So what say you?
I may have some more questions, but this will do for now.  Thanks.
Brian M

[Wlscott]

Brian, you've got just about everything you need to get started.  You need a call though.  Squeek toys aren't going to be loud enough.  Walmart usually has some kind of predator calls available in the sporting goods section.  Get a rabbit distress call and practice using it.  My favorite call is the Tally Ho call.  It's an open reed call that makes a lot of different sounds (jackrabbit distress, coyote howl, pup squeal etc).  It cost me $7.00 from Lock Stock and Barrel.  Most hand calls are pretty inexpensive.  

The decoy idea is pretty good, but you'll probably find that most of the areas where you hunt coyotes, the brush or grass is too high to use what you're talking about.  

As far as weaponry goes, the TC in 30-06 is probably going to be your best choice of what you have available to you right now.  You will punch some big holes though.  I'd get the .223 barrel for it later if you can.  I use a .223 exclusively for coyote hunting.  

Now you just need to get out there and call.  Set up so that you are calling across the wind, with your partner about 50-75 yards downwind of the caller.  

Good luck.

[New Hampshire]

Wlscott, I remembered that the Speer manual has reduced '06 load recipies that match factory .30-30 loads.  Would this be a better "temporary" solution rather than full house '06 loads?  It would be pretty easy for me to get everything together and make up some loads, would just be a matter of getting down to the range for scope sight in.  Also, it has been suggested the 12ga with 3" mags could do real good.  I was told no smaller than #4 shot period.  And even that is pushing it.  It was suggested moving into the smaller buck would do a great job.  From b to #4 buck at the max.  I can easily get my hands on Remington Hevi-shot waterfowl loads in size b.  With a density heavier than lead it might even be better than the larger buckshot size.  Again, thanks for your help.
Brian M

[Wlscott]

I've heard of people using 30-06 accelerator loads (.223 saboted round)  for coyotes also.  If they shoot ok in your gun you might consider them as well.  

If you don't care about saving the pelt, just use the same loads that you use for deer hunting.  Really, in my opinion, if you use a 30-06, you're gonna punch big holes in a coyote unless you use a fmj round.  Then you'll just punch two smaller holes.  

Shotguns work great as coyote guns.  BUT you need to be able to call them in to 40 or so yards.  With 3" or 3 1/2" #4's you can easily kill a coyote out to the same ranges that you can kill a turkey.  If you're calling in thick cover I'd suggest carrying a shotgun even if you're carrying a rifle, just in case they sneak in on you.  I don't have any experience with Heavy shot loads so I really can't comment, but from what I've heard, they should work fine.

[varmit_master]

Hi i would use the  30 06 and the load it is sighted in unteal i got me a 223 barrel  and on the Hevi Shot i have read that BB's will out shot lead 4 buckshot  i would go with the Hevi Shot you have more pettets than 4 buck and Hevi Shot is got a load out now But not in the store yet called Dead Coyote load the size shot is B size and is in a 3 inch mag 12ga with 50 pellets to a shell and they were  killing coyotes dead at 65yrds with it droping them in there tracks the shot at 65 yrds was going threw the  skull  bone it sounds like a great load hope this has help VM

[varmit_master]

Hi just about any hunting store has predator calls i too like the tally ho call good luck VM

[New Hampshire]

Thank you very much.  Right now Im gonna see if the gun store has anymore of the Hevi-shot Waterfowl loads left over from the season in 3" mag, pellet size b.  They should, so I think Im ok there.  If I have to I will resort to the '06.  My local sporting goods shop carrys calling tapes (and I think CDs too, but Im gonna stick with tapes.)  Ill stop in tomorrow cuz Im getting out of work early.  Im gonna try and push my buddy and see if we can get out sometime this month for our first hunt.  Gives us an excuse to get out real early to scout for Turkey.
Thanks again,
Brian M.

[Dogshooter]

You are on the right track with the toy cats. I have used any stuffed animal I came across and tied it out withy monofilament so I could make it move a bit. Lately, I have just been using Turkey feathers tied so the wind moves them. I just have to find a sage brush with a snag higher than the others around it. Anything to catch their eye and keep it off of you.

As for weapons, I highly recommend the 223 barrel for your encore. Less noise, plenty of range, and wide variety of available, cheap, ammo.

[scruffy]

this is what I have for firepower: ....12 ga with both smooth bore ...  These are Northeastern yotes, so they are pretty big, but the ranges will most likely be short.  

If by "ranges will most likely be short" you mean 40 yards or less I'd choose the 12 gauge.  It's hard to beat a shotgun at those close ranges!

And if you're hunting with a buddy have one of you set up for long range, your 30-06 or a new 223, and have one of you set up for short range, the shotgun.  This way any coyote that comes into your stand, either close or far, will be in serious trouble.  

There is no "perfect" coyote gun because of the diverse shot opportunities.  So if you diversify your weaponry, you better your chances for success.

I hunt with a mini 14 ranch with a reddot (3moa dot) or a 12 gauge and one of my buddies is setting up a new tikka 22-250 (he was using a remington 7mm mag  :eek: ).  Any time a coyote was in range of my gun I dropped him (or tried...).  If he hung up outside my range he was cannon fodder for the 7mm mag.  It worked really well.

I've taken new hunters out and given them a 12 gauge while I used my weatherby for the long rangers.  The 12 gauge and close ranges gives first timers a margin for error incase they suffer "coyote fever".

Hope this helps,

later,
scruffy

[New Hampshire]

Well after a trip to two stores that have a plethora of ammo I could not find any satisfactory shotgun loadings.  Best I could do was Hevi-shot in size 2, which would probably have worked, but it was not what I wanted.  So in the end I walked away with a couple boxes of Federal classic 125 gr Sierra SP loads for the .30-06.  Im expecting a long-shot to be not more than 75 yards as the places we will be (at least starting out right now,) pretty well forested.  Just aint too much wide open, clear land in southern New Hampshire to make long shots of 150-200 yards.  Ill probably get the .223 bbl eventually.  At one of the gun shops I was eyeballing a like new .223, 15" bbl for the Encore.  Had to bail really fast before I spent money I did not have  :-D .
Brian M.
P.S. When I get up and running I will keep evryone informed of my progress.

[scruffy]

Sounds like your set!

Oh, and #2 hevishot is excellent on coyotes, but expensive.  I have a bunch left over from duck hunting I'm using in my 870 and nef (both using a modified choke) and so far it's taken 1 coyote, 1 skunk, and 1 badger.  I've been primarily hunting with my 223 so I don't have any others to report on the #2 hevishot yet, but it's good stuff.  I'm not sure if I like the #2 hevishot or #4 buckshot better yet.  The hevishot is easier on the pelt but the buckshot is easier on the wallet.

later,
scruffy

[varmit_master]

Hi New H that Hevi Shot in # 2 shot size would have work good next time your by there get you a box and try it out you will like it VM

[New Hampshire]

Im thinking I better because one of the first places I was thinking of trying, not even realizing, runs REEEEEEEEAAAAAAAALLLLL close to a shotgun only town.  So close in fact that the (imaginary) line of the town border is less than half a mile away.  Since the area is really wooded Im sure not too many people would mind, but the pond it is near is frequented by game wardens and I would not want to take a chance, even though they would probably be pretty understanding because of how easy it would be to slip over the line and not realize it (dang I wish they would run a neon line straight though the woods so I would know exactly where I am   .)  So I guess Ill give em a try.  But I still have the box of 125 grainers for the 06 should they be needed   .
Brian M

[handirifle]

Brian
Don't overlook the .357.  At the ranges you mention, out to 75 yds many have used this as a deer cartridge with heavy bullets.  If you can do your part it is more than up to it and way easier and cheaper to shoot then the '06.

You win't be overgunned either.  If you are considering adding a 223 barrel to it later, this will keep you in practice.  The .357 will easily kill them at 100yds but might drop a bit too much.  The trajectory to 50-75yds will not be an issue.  Id use 125 grHP if the pelt isn't an issue and 158gr JSP if it is.  Both will stop him NOW when shot placement is correct.  There is a LOT more frontal area in the .357 and will disperse all of it's energy in the coyote.

The nice thing about the 357 is even the 125's will probably not make 'em explode like a  varmint round or the '06 would.

It's hard to beat 50rds for about $9 too.