When to hunt and what to use

[Dan Mich Trapper]

When setting up durring the day , when is the best time to hunt ? Do you try to call into an open feild or stay in the cover . I called my first coyote in last nite but let my 12 yr old son shoot at it and he missed . It was in an open hay field . Is it worth going back to that field or did we mess things up ? We need to call them close as we can only use rim fire or shotguns at nite in Mi. I use a .223 in the daylite hours but at nite do you recommend a .17 HMR  or just a .22 ?

[skinner]

Hello this is my first post I am new to this site but I have been hunting sounddogs for over 30 yrs now. I will tell you what has worked for me in the past then you can decide if you want to try it.
I like to be in my first setup by first light. I have found that the first 2 to 3 hours of the day to be the best with evening coming in second. if it is a cool overcast day I will stay out and hunt them all day.
when you make your stands try to stay in the shadows or up against some thing to help break up your body. their is a lot of disagement about do you use camo or not. well I feel you cannot go wrong when you are`using camo. when setting up trying to have the wind in to your face if that is not possable try to have a crossing wind. rememember coyotes will work their way down wind to see what they can pick up with their noses. so I try to have myself possioned in a way that will allow me to look down wind of my stand this trick has payed off more times then I can count.
when hunting at nite I prefer a shotgun because it seams that I can get the coyote in closer I would suggest nothing less then #4 shot  the tighter the choke the better I  use #2 shot with a extra full ckoke. if you are going to use a 22 use a 22 mag. I have no experence with the 17hmr.
well I hope that this helps by the way don't get to upset if you don't callin a coyote everytime because thats the way it is I have gone times to where I may make up to 10 different set without getting a response. keep after them it will get in to your blood.
I forgot to say stay away from that field where you miss the lastone for about 3 wks before going back. give that dog a little time to forget and when you do go use a different call stay away from the one you used the last time.
skinner

[Glanceblamm]

Skinner
Welcome To Graybeard  Your post was very well written. I especially liked the part about the yote hunting getting in your blood. Had six or eight within yards the other day. Called them in from around 3/4 mile in the late evening. Got too late, was straining to see a siluette then full dark & no night gear & they came even closer!
You know how it goes, at that point I had shut up but was mainly worryed about giving myself away. Nothing like whacking one over the head with the barrel or a point blank shot :-D

Dan
I too like Morn/Evening. It isn't too often that I get pinned down in the dark like above. Happens now & again & sure does jibe with the yote hunting getting in your blood.
Exceptions to early & late for myself are extended cold weather or a front coming through. They will really hunt hard during these times. Those Solunar tables are also worth watching.
Skinners advice of staying away from the area of your (missed) yote for three weeks sound good. I also like his advice on changing up on calls often.

[skinner]

glanceblamm.  like you said, I've been there done that the only problem is after all these years I still swear I hear those cotton pick dogs laughing at me as they are running off.  :-D  also after about the second time  had a coyote backdoor me and just about jump in the blind with me I decided I need to start carrying a change of pants if you know what i mean :eek:  :eek:  
skinner