Woodland Yote Hunting ?

[PotashRLS]

Curious on some of the strategies for calling woodland coyotes where ag fields are mixed with larger tracts of timber.

My buddy and I are also working up a load for my new Browning Abolt .223 WSSM. Want to make one tackdriving load and use it for everything. Started with the Barnes TSX 62gr but it seemed too large for my 1 in 10" twist. Now trying the TSX 53gr. This gun along with my Mossberg 835 with #4 buckshot will be my setup.

I welcome any comments or suggestions. Thanks.

[Doc]

That's the kind of setup we have over here in NYS, except in my area, there are few or no ag fields mixed in. I have yet to find something that works. The visibility is pretty tough with woods, and thicket, and brush conditions everywhere. Also, it's pretty hard to guess where they will be and which direction they will be coming in from. I have had limited (rare) success with foxes, but have yet to call in a coyote even though the tracks show that the area is full of them.

So I'll be kind of watching this thread pretty close too.

Doc

[longbeardfever4ever]

never really been yote huntin, i have calls, and want to go out, but havent hunted yet......

[Doc]

I've been a bit disappointed in the lack of input to this thread. It is very hard to find any information on the deep woods style of coyote calling. No shortage of prairie and desert states varmint calling, but when it comes to northern states, and eastern states, there doesn't seem to be anyone who has developed good techniques or are willing to part with any info learned for hunting coyotes under these conditions. That leaves us with developing our own techniques I guess.

Doc

[pendog]

I know what you are saying Doc, i have yet to get a regular setup that works some of the time. Most of the time we just happen on to them without much reason.

I know they come in downwind alot and we get busted in the thicker stuff when you can't see them circling you.

[Hardwood_HD]

the first coyote i called in was in woods.. there was prolly 6in of snow on the ground so it wasnt too hard to see him coming.. ended up shooting it at 40yds.

[wild_willie]

I agree with you Doc, about the lack of response to this thread. I'm from NY as well and have no luck coyote hunting (fox hunting either). The woods are thick. I would take all the knowlege I could get!!

[Strut10]

I have not killed many coyotes. But I have had some success and the area I hunt is like you describe. I use a CD electronic caller of my own manufacture. Here's a few things that have helped me:

> Hunt when there's snow. Really increases visibility in the thicker areas.

> Hunt in the daylight. Less chance of one skirting just inside a cover edge and making you. Night hunt foxes if you want. But I stay away from the 'yotes in the dark. You educate one once and you've got a real problem dog to kill forever.

> Mind the wind 100%. Small woodlots means you're never too far from the dogs you're calling to.

> Hunt from a treestand. Again.......mostly for visibility. But it helps with scent and conceals some movement.....especially if the 'yote gets in close on you.

> Start your calling sequence quietly. I'll run the caller for a minute or two then shut it down and wait 10 minutes. Nothing shows up, I'll do another minute at a mid volume. Wait 10. Nothing.........crank it up (but not obnoxiously) another minute and wait 15 or 20. Nothing.......I leave.

[captkb44]

If legal I would suggest hunting the ag fields at night. If not legal then you can still hunt the edges of the ag fields where you can see better. Probably have better results using an electronic caller with remote and a decoy. Set the decoy up about 50 yds off the edge of the field along with the caller. Set up down wind of the caller along the edge of the field. Coyote will generally try to circle downwind, this would put them coming out between you and the caller. The decoy should catch its attention while you put the crosshairs on that front shoulder. Sounds simple and easy but they never come into the call where you want them to. If you forced to hunt the thick brush then what you have already been told should help you out. Hunting in a tree stand with a remote e-caller should help you as well. Keep in mind there is no true science to calling predators.....................what works for me might not be as good for someone else. Keep trying new things until you come across something that works for you. Keep several hand calls in your pocket even when using e-callers. Hope this helps.

[The Outdoorsman]

I have this same problem but like Strut10 said, use a treestand to get up and get better visibility. with todays climbers, you can attach camo netting to the gun rest that goes across the front of you (if you have one). Look for defined access trails that offer the least amount of resistance for yotes to travel to you. and definetly play the wind!!!! I have food plots throughout both properties I hunt and they present long shooting lanes for me as well as the trails that we have bush-hogged out for quieter movement in and out of the woods. the use of a decoy also helps if its visible from a distance to help take the attention off you.