Photo by Roger Hill

Some people just can't get enough hunting each year. I'm one of them. Thank goodness for coyotes!

You may have given coyote-hunting a try, but discovered that the hunting was far better than the killing. Don't fret, and whatever you do, don't give up. This is fun sport and besides, you might save some cattle or sheep ranchers a bundle of money. At the least, you might meet a rancher who takes a liking to your coyote-hunting prowess and invites you back for deer hunting next fall.

While song dogs can be frustrating as quarry, you can employ some tactics and techniques that will tip the odds of success in your favor, ranging from simple concepts for novice callers, to advanced tactics proven under some of the most challenging conditions.

Much of your success at hunting coyotes will stem from the preparations you make, and the equipment you use. Without going into massive amounts of details (spelled B-O-R-I-N-G) concerning firearms, loads, optics, etc., most weekend varmint-hunters choose light big-game calibers with a history for flat trajectories. The sporting qualities of this pastime suggest that it's not much of a challenge to shoot coyotes at obscene distances. Most shots are taken within about 100 yards, muzzle to target. A simple riflescope with good light-collecting qualities will suffice. If you insist on spending big bucks on optics for coyote hunting, purchase a quality set of binoculars in the 10x50 range, and mount them to a solid tripod. Now you can spy coyotes at long distances and use your riflescope for a relatively close shot.

Camouflage or concealment is, in my eyes, even more important than the type of rifle you shoot. Coyotes depend on their eyes and noses for hunting as well as survival. Go unprepared to fool both, and you'll be one frustrated hunter. Therefore, your preparations must go well beyond the selection of a workable camouflage pattern.

I never set foot on a ranch with coyotes in mind unless I've paid due diligence to that day's weather report. A prevailing wind from 5 to 12 miles per hour provides me with the type of conditions that not only make calling possible, but also allow me a chance to stay downwind of intended targets. The worst forecast I can hear is one for variable winds. Check local television stations, newspapers, or go online to such sites as weather.com or your local forestry commission's fire danger page, all of which will carry up-to-date information on wind directions and expected changes to those conditions.

SITE SELECTION
I wasn't being flippant when I suggested that you might befriend a rancher by offering to shoot coyotes on his ranch. In fact, you'll find a far more positive acceptance to such a proposal than you will any other type of hunting.

How you approach a rancher makes all the difference. You can identify ranch owners by checking with the county tax assessor's office. The wrong tactic is to show up early one Saturday morning in camouflage, knock on a rancher's door and expect to gain immediate access. Instead, call ahead about two weeks or so before you would like to hunt. Introduce yourself in a professional manner, explaining your interest in safe, legal hunting methods, and ask whether he would consider allowing you and an associate an opportunity to hunt coyotes on a given date. Emphasize that you'll be sure to close gates and keep your vehicles on roads and trails the rancher designates. You'll get more positive responses than rejections.

Once on a ranch or open public land, you'll want to find an elevated calling location that provides a sweeping view of the surrounding area. Take particular care that the upwind side provides access for approaching coyotes. Look for brush, weeds, downed logs or trees that can help you hide while at the same time providing a solid shooting spot. The object here is to have your scent blow away from where you expect the coyotes to approach, and the cover will help hide movements you make in calling and preparing to shoot.

CALLING COYOTES
For many would-be coyote hunters, calling is a trouble spot. But it needn't be. Let me assure you, there's nothing fancy about it. A 6-year-old can call in a coyote.