Coyote... Questions for experienced coyote hunters

[dougk]

I was letting dogs out tonight and heard a single coyote call less then 100 yrds from the house.  We live on a 700 acre ranch in central Texas.  After putting the dogs in the house (the pug wanted to go hunting...) I when over to see.  I always carry a .22 mag pistol with me and at night I like to use a 2 million candle spotlight.

Walking over to where the call came from I called using a distressed rodent call.  About 5 mins later I heard a full family sounded like 5 coyotes calling, they had to be within 200 yrds.  I waited about 10 mins and nothing happened.  So I hard the bright idea to mark the area, then when back to the house.

Not being an experienced coyote hunter I have several questions.

Is the .22 mag enough to take a coyote at 10 yrds or less?
What is the best night gun (pistol, shotgun or rifle) to use with a big spotlight?

Will the coyotes be scared off by the light?  Would night vision mono sight be better?

Does marking (urinating) help to keep the coyotes out of the area?
 
Thanks,
Doug

[Swift One]

1. A 22 mag has been known to take dogs at short ranges.  I personally think it is a little light in the a$$ but that is just me.

2.  A good night weapon will depend on the terrain you are hunting.  I like a shot gun with 3" #4 buck, Mini-14, or my 223 Handi

3.  From my experience, white lights will scare off yotes Foxes and cats seem not to care as much.  Put a red filter over that light and do not shine the full intensity of the light in the dogs face.  Scan the area using the halo of the light and drop the full beam of the light in the dog's face only when you are getting ready to shoot.  I have never used Night Vision for hunting dogs but I have used them in the military.  I think that a red light is the way to go when hutnuing preds.  Check with your state laws first though.

4.  If the dogs are within 100yds of your residence then they have smelled humans before. Chances are , if you urinated out side to mark your territory then you have probably urinated outside before, so the dogs have smelled that too.  That will not probably keep the yotes from coming around.  Especially if you have small animal/pets/ livestock running around the yard at night.

[skb2706]

Good tips all the way...one other thing we look for their eyes reflecting back to us. Typically looks like two small orange  lamps...with appropriate spacing. We start the light close to where we are on the ground and work it out so as to avoid the direct light in their eyes....they are quite used to having headlights shined on them at night.

[zapper223]

A 22 mag. would be fine at the ranges you specified as long as your shot placement is good. Behind the shoulder and they won't get too far . In my experience 30 yards at the outside alot of them will do the spin and bite at wound thing and not get out of sight. The v-max for 22 mag works well at these ranges. I am not allowed a light so no info. on that but was able to go on full moon nights and see very well. What I would do was get in a fencerow or a place where there is cover surrounded by open area's .  Hide in the shadows of a tree or bush whatever is available but make sure your in the shadow . Because its amazing how they will still pick you out. They are alot more confident at night and come in easier than in the day in my opinion. I use a 12ga. with #4 buck at night and it works fine . If I could use a light it would depend on the spot I was hunting as to whether I'd use a rifle or shot gun.
                                      Good-luck,
                                              zapper