Night hunting coyote

[Stuart C.]

Hi,
During the season, we can hunt coyote until midnight.
Since our deer and coyote are practically nocturnal around here, I'm thinking I should give it a try.

How do you hunt at night?  Clear full moons only?  Lights? 

Any tips greatly appreciated.
S

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  The guys used to night hunt here with spot lights, and some called game to the lights. Others just spotted as they cruised around. Now it is confined to private property with the owners written permission. I never did much of it shooting at night always bothered me.

[ncsurveyor]

Night hunting in this state is illegal, so I have no practical experience.

BUT, if it were legal, I would hunt open fields, perhaps along a creek bottom during a full moon.  Something where natural terrain would cause a funnel for a running pack.

Without the full moon, I would try to get closer to the bait or terrain pinch points, but would prefer elevated positions.

I'd bait it with meat scrap leftovers starting a week before I intended to hunt.  Then freshen it up a day before. 

I wouldn't be afraid to use my calls, especially a challenge or revelry.

I'd use spot lights, with red lenses, if legal - of course - to flash occasionally to check for eye reflections if needed.  I like the type that mount on top of the scope.

Probably would use 22 mag or small caliber centerfire, and have a shotgun - with turkey choke - and size 4 or larger shot, for back up.  Be a good time to have a savage 24 with 22 mag/over 20 ga, 222rem over 20ga, or 223 over 12 ga.  caliber restrictions also depending on local rules.

[Swift One]

This is an article that I wrote for another forum that I belonged to.  It is for the most part how I hunt coyote and fox at night.

http://www.aquaticenhancement.com/Predator%20Central%20Homepage/Night%20Hunting%20Flatlander%20Style.htm

[skb2706]

We do it on private land for coyotes. We use red lenses and keep shots inside 100 yds., never shoot beyond your line of sight and keep shots down and avoid shooting upwards of any hill. With miles of open prairie we still don't want any stray shots. You really need to know the area and pay attention to where you are at all times. Calling in the dark and hit them with the lights or cruise known bait piles/carion.

[securitysix]

In Oklahoma, it is "illegal to hunt coyotes at night with an artificial light or dogs".  Therefore, I do not hunt coyotes at night.

[Glanceblamm]

We can hunt them round the clock but only during the Red/Gray fox season which runs from Nov thru Feb. Night vision goggle or even a night vision scope is legal but I have neither. I do have a handheld red light.

[FourBee]

Some coyotes woke me up late one night, and I went out on the deck with my 3cell flashlight and they were hanging out close to the house, so I brought out my scoped .223 bolt action.  Set on the steps and shinned a yote just sitting on his haunches looking back at me.   I could not hold that scope on him to save myself.  So I didn't even waste my time pulling the trigger.  He was approx 150 yds out.    Hats off to you guys who do that routinely.  It takes some coordination.

[skb2706]

Sometimes we use a two man team to spot them...one shooter and one lightman. Sometimes we use the scope mounted light. It can be tricky to keep everything just right to make the shot but it is kinda cool to see a rifle shot thru your scope in the dark.

[GeorgiaDave]

Hello,

   Here in The Great State of Georgia, coyotes are fair game all year, day or night, over bait, with eletronic calls and no restriction on weaponry. So, basicaly, as long as you are in a rural area, and not trespassing, you can do what you feel works best. We have hunted them at night for several decades. If you have a partner to hold the light, a deer rifle with a good scope can effectively take them in the dark up to several hundred yards. When hunting alone, I usually tape a Mini-Mag to the barrell of my thunderboomer 12 ga 3 1/2 " mag loaded with #2 shot and call them in with a soft mouth call or even a squeaker from a dog toy. We have also traveled fields and used a H U G E spotlight to shine , and fired them up at long range. No special tactics neede to do this, just large tracts of land, and a safe place to shoot. Many farmers will allow you to hunt their property IF you can convince them you will not harm their property or livestock. We have hunted them over bait, and fish is always a good choice, as well as chicken livers left out a day or two.

   Night hunting coyotes is a great way to beat the heat of summer, and is a good way to keep your live shooting skills sharp during the off season. We do practice night shooting by sticking Bright Eyes to the target board and shining with a light. A red filter is always a good choice. There are numerous other tactics, but the most productive is to simply get out there and hunt. All the preperation is useless unless you actually go out and do it. Good Luck, and keep us posted.

Dave

[crabo]

Anytime you do a prairie dog shoot, come back at midnight with the spot lights.  You will usually find some yotes.