The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Does anyone here have any expertise to share on the subject of coyote hunting in the rural wooded southeast? I'd like to hunt coyotes but don't know the right tactics, techniques, and procedures. What works, and what doesn't? I know I have coyotes around, and my land is mostly heavily wooded, but I do have one small open field, and one semi-open clearing in the woods.

Also, I am familiar with the patterns of deer activity on my land and the neighboring properties (trails, feeding/watering areas, bed down locations, etc). Would any of that knowledge relate to coyote activity patterns in any way, or have any bearing on coyote hunting tactics?

Get a Quiver Critter (@$30 at Midway) Big5 or whatever is similar down there should have them also, a rabbit distress call, some good cover scent and/or Scent Killer, the rifle of your choice, some camo clothes, set that decoy in the field about 30-100 yards out from where you've hidden yourself on the edge of the woods (don't set up in the corner), use the call as the directions with it say. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. When you hear some movement in the woods behind you, stay very still. The 'yotes will circle you for a while before coming in. (usually) When it/they come out onto the field, wait for your shot. Don't let them rip your decoy to shreds, get 'em before that. If there are more than one, once you shoot one, they rest with boogie for the next county for a while, but you should be able to set up on that same field (obviously in different places) over and over. Full moon nights in the fall are perfect for hunting coyotes. And, hey there's one coming up tommorow night!

I make a game of it; I'm Carlos Hathcock, and the coyotes are VC coming to assasinate Nguyễn Văn Thiệu, who I'm tasked to overwatch.

Coyotes will use the same trails as deer (and just about everything else in the woods) sometimes, but not as a rule. Up here in the winter when there's 2-3 feet of snow on the ground, they will wait just off the trails deer make between their 'yards' and feeding areas (if separate) to pounce, but I doubt that would apply down there.

I worked with a guy from Washington state that would trap his bait. Use a live trap for possums, coons, stray cats. Leave them in the cage angry and let them call up the coyotes. After the hunt just turn the bait loose for another day.

They seem to like my watermelon patch, too.

Awesome advice right there guys! Nothing quite like lying in wait for Mister Song Dog on a bright night. It's more fun than deer hunting IMO.

entropy wrote:Get a Quiver Critter (@$30 at Midway) Big5 or whatever is similar down there should have them also, a rabbit distress call, some good cover scent and/or Scent Killer, the rifle of your choice, some camo clothes, set that decoy in the field about 30-100 yards out from where you've hidden yourself on the edge of the woods (don't set up in the corner), use the call as the directions with it say. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. When you hear some movement in the woods behind you, stay very still. The 'yotes will circle you for a while before coming in. (usually) When it/they come out onto the field, wait for your shot. Don't let them rip your decoy to shreds, get 'em before that. If there are more than one, once you shoot one, they rest with boogie for the next county for a while, but you should be able to set up on that same field (obviously in different places) over and over. Full moon nights in the fall are perfect for hunting coyotes. And, hey there's one coming up tommorow night!

Entropy, is this you? haha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poYy6a-prCs
Thanks for the advise. I think I'll try your method. The guy in the video seems to have had success with it.

I wish I could get a bobcat to come in! Hasn't happened yet.

Nothing quite like lying in wait for Mister Song Dog on a bright night. It's more fun than deer hunting IMO.

I agree. Wish I didn't have to be up at 6 this morning; it's a perfect night for it.