I live in the Finger Lakes area of New York State. I have a pack of coyotes behind my house and I'm thinking of going after them with my bow. From the sounds there's two adults and several pups. I'm not sure but it sounds like there are six to ten in the pack.
I'm hearing them with-in a few hundred yards of the house about five nights of the week. I understand they're very difficult to hunt so I'm looking for any tips or suggestions.
I'm thinking of stand hunting evenings and maybe the mornings. From what I've been told, they will pattern a hunter's movements and set up spots very quickly. Very hard to hunt? I'm thinking of setting up on game trails but not sure about calling. I'm thinking if I try calling and blow it, the gig will be up and game over.
Any suggestions or experienced coyote hunters willing to give me some tips?
Thanks
if you ever shoot at and miss one , they will never come to that spot again......as for patterning you, in a day or two , they will know where you're going before you do....toughest and smartest animal that I have ever tried to hunt with a bow......... :dunno:
Yep, 2X on what T LAIL said- Good luck!!
If baiting and night hunting are legal in NY, it can be very effective. Wait for a full moon or use a red light to see them. Hunt from a treestand and put roadkill deer, skunks, woodchucks, etc (if legal) for bait.
A pup in distress call will bring them in to your lap this time of year. I also use a little growling with my voice. Sounds like one of their pups is getting attacked. A decoy dog is VERY good right now as well. I use 2 decoy dogs. They will fight the coyotes, then bring them right to me. I have killed about 40 adults the last couple months, with a gun. (It's my job)
Shedrock hit the nail on the head
hunting coyotes in the east is very different than hunting coyotes in the west. I have hunted both areas and am here to tell you eastern coyotes have wrote the book on not playing fair. I have hunted them extensively for months at a time with something other than a bow ahem, and it was always cause for great celebration when we killed one. Killing mature whitetail in my estimation is much easier than killing coyotes in the east. One trick that is effective is a five gallon bucket of blood and guts etc etc frozen solid and dumped out. This bloodsickle placed near cover will keep them coming back but it is only effective in the winter when it will not thaw quickly. You can sit over it or in our case about three hundred yards away and then whisper in their ear. Good luck. You will have to have a sense of humor I can tell you that.
The outfit I work for hired a guy from Ohio, everything that works here for him, also worked there. I think it's more about the hunter than the coyote. Us full time coyote hunters think like a coyote 24/7.
A fawn in distress call should work great this time of the year also, but listen to Shedrock,, he does it for a living.
Coyote season opens October 1st here in New York. I'm just researching to see if I'm wishful thinking with a recurve.
We've had them in the area for decades but never this close and vocal. I have a female Chesapeake Bay Retriever that has always seemed to keep them distanced from the house but not so sure now.
I have seen one of the adults twice in the last few months but only for a moment at a time. Good sized and in good shape. I'm hearing the pack sounding at all hours of night but mostly late. One of the adults, likely the male, doesn't have that high pitched coyote howl.
Anyway, if I did decide to go with a rifle or shotgun and preasure them, do you think they'd move on. I haven't been seeing any turkey and not one fawn behind the house this season. It's got me wondering.
QuoteOriginally posted by Shedrock:
A pup in distress call will bring them in to your lap this time of year. I also use a little growling with my voice. Sounds like one of their pups is getting attacked. A decoy dog is VERY good right now as well. I use 2 decoy dogs. They will fight the coyotes, then bring them right to me. I have killed about 40 adults the last couple months, with a gun. (It's my job)
I'd love to see the decoy dogs doing their thing. What kind do you use?
When I call coyote and fox in the winter I have good success. One tip...never call to long or too loud. Coyotes can hear extremely well. I'd do a couple fawn bleats maybe a couple seconds long. Then lip squeaks if need be. They will know instantly where you are. Always play the wind and hide good. Movement, noise and scent will ruin your hunt before it began.
A coyote is the only animal that can make 3 sounds at the same time. It may sound like a pack, but in reality it may be 2 coyotes. Good Luck.
Shedrock, from your reply about what I said regarding eastern coyotes I apparently offended you, hence your remark about "I think its more about the hunter than the coyote" I still stand behind my statement and did not mean to offend. I have just found eastern coyotes more difficult to hunt than western. I have posed the same question to Dick from quaker boy and last year to Fred Eichler and they both said they find the eastern coyote more challenging. Sorry for any misunderstanding.
Coyotes are without a doubt the biggest challenge I have come across in many years. I have hunted them and snared them. Any dog you get is a hard earned trophy.
I called a big one in while turkey hunting. My brother moved his head to take a look and I swear he looked like wile e coyote with an afterburner getting out of there.