Questions on Calling Coyotes

[pdhntr]

Been out at night lately trying a new thermal, trying to call coyotes. What seems to happen is I may hear a pack open up in my area, but they seem to always be going away from me. I.t seems I am just spooking them

Have electronic calls and mouth calls. Lately been trying to start with a howler, but, honestly, it doesn't sound realistic to me.

What calling strategies seem to work for you guys?

Unless you have been listening to the local coyotes you are trying to call, I would be very hesitant to use any howls. Coyotes howls, (the way they communicate with each other) are differently in different parts of the country. Unless you can duplicate their howl, and know what you are "saying" I wouldn't use howls.

The howls I use in Wisconsin are different than the ones I use in the Dakotas or Montana, so you can listen to all the videos and internet information you want, but it won't replace getting out there and listening to what they are "saying".

The only howling sequence that has produced very good results (if I'm not sure of their language) is the short howl followed by yips and then very shortly followed by distress, indicating to most coyotes that a small pack has made a kill in their territory and it pisses the other coyotes off something fierce. They can come on a run to kick the others ass.

The first time this happened it was a mistake of pressing the wrong buttons but we had two coyotes literally in our laps in less than two minutes and they came from over a half mile away.

If I know the local language I will start with howls, but often that only lets me know where they are. I usually have to try to go to them after that. And then I don't use any howls.

I have had better luck using howls out west or in large open areas at night. In or near timber, I rarely use howling, other than the sequence listed above.

To sum it up, in my opinion there is no way to howl them effectively unless you spend time learning WHAT AN HOW THEY ARE SAYING IT.

Good luck.

Jim

 

[dunraven]

Unless you have been listening to the local coyotes you are trying to call, I would be very hesitant to use any howls. Coyotes howls, (the way they communicate with each other) are differently in different parts of the country. Unless you can duplicate their howl, and know what you are "saying" I wouldn't use howls.

The howls I use in Wisconsin are different than the ones I use in the Dakotas or Montana, so you can listen to all the videos and internet information you want, but it won't replace getting out there and listening to what they are "saying".

The only howling sequence that has produced very good results (if I'm not sure of their language) is the short howl followed by yips and then very shortly followed by distress, indicating to most coyotes that a small pack has made a kill in their territory and it pisses the other coyotes off something fierce. They can come on a run to kick the others ass.

The first time this happened it was a mistake of pressing the wrong buttons but we had two coyotes literally in our laps in less than two minutes and they came from over a half mile away.

If I know the local language I will start with howls, but often that only lets me know where they are. I usually have to try to go to them after that. And then I don't use any howls.

I have had better luck using howls out west or in large open areas at night. In or near timber, I rarely use howling, other than the sequence listed above.

To sum it up, in my opinion there is no way to howl them effectively unless you spend time learning WHAT AN HOW THEY ARE SAYING IT.

Good luck.

Jim

Been trying to educate myself on the various coyote sounds and what they mean. Just not very good at producing them with a hand-held call. I'm thinking I probably am just alerting them to my presence. Sounds like it makes sense to stick with electronics for now. Guy I know uses the 'serenade' and 'challenge' calls successfully.

 

[boltfluter]

This is a hard time of year to call as most of the younger ones are wise or on a stretcher somewhere. Generally speaking, if you know coyotes are close, I will call very quietly. They are very suspicious and skittish about 200 lb rabbits close by! Do not howl if they are close either. You just want to call loud enough to get their attention and nothing more. The icing on the cake is to make crow and magpie sounds, just after the prey sound. Enticing the coyote to believe birds have a kill and are squabbling over it. This sequence is my ace in the hole as most callers do not do this combination. If dry calling, no idea if coyotes are in the area, I will first howl, wait 5 minutes, then start in with the squabbling birds. Never even using a pray species call. The howl gets the attention of every coyote within the area. Being curious by nature, and always looking for an easy meal, the bird sequence is killer! Sometimes, toward the end of a stand I will mix in the rabbit sounds as icing on the cake to convince the coyote that what he is hearing is real. Wait at least 30 minutes as they will wander in more so than charging, but it will work for you as it has for me many times over the years. Good luck!
Paul

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Prey, habitat,proximity to humans, larger predators all will be factors in how coyote respond to calling. Often why calling success and techniques vary from west to east, north to south in the country. A big factor I see here in transition country is how coyote behave in grassland vs row crop habitat.

 

[Jester560]

In Alabama, I only use distress calls and coyote pup in distress works great as does rabbit.

 

[Sneedvegas01]

Just curious, what part of the country are you in?

 

[Lone Hunter]

In Alabama, I only use distress calls and coyote pup in distress works great as does rabbit.

Are you calling on the mountains or in the valley? I have noticed in the mountains they are harder to call in. They have more food in the valley. What part of AL. are you from?

 

[Jester560]

Are you calling on the mountains or in the valley? I have noticed in the mountains they are harder to call in. They have more food in the valley. What part of AL. are you from?







I am in the NW Corner in Muscle Shoals. I call in mostly ag land.