Prowling for Predators

The typical coyote has all the senses and wariness of a big whitetail buck and the stubbornness of an old gobbler.
Late winter is a prime time to head afield for furbearers. The weather is typically at, or just past it’s coldest, and the predator’s fur is at its thickest, richest point. It’s also just the time of year when the woods are the most barren and predators are most likely to respond for a meal.

Although prices for furs are good, there are other benefits for hunters. Chasing predators offers excellent experience, and that is something we can never have enough of. It’s another great way to sharpen your outdoor skills. The hunt normally requires skillful calling, good camouflage and sharp shooting skills. By practicing all this we will become better deer, turkey and waterfowl hunters. During the predator season hunters can amass a great deal of knowledge and observe how many animals react. Although hunting predators is truly exciting, rarely is it easy.

In modern society, the common furbearer has no true predator. Often the eco-system gets out of sync, allowing predators to deplete other game. Research has shown that decades of poor predator control (i.e. lack of hunting) have had an adverse affect on waterfowl and game bird populations. While it is true predators are not the sole reason for the decreasing numbers of ducks, geese, pheasant and quail, they are major factors. Therefore, widespread sport hunting of predators will likely have beneficial results on game species such as waterfowl and upland birds.

Rarely does a hunter encounter a quarry as challenging as he does when pursuing coyotes, fox or bobcats. The typical coyote has all the senses and wariness of a big whitetail buck and the stubbornness of an old gobbler. Seldom does a mature coyote come right into the calling location.  Normally they’ll circle “downwind” and approach when their nose gives them the “all clear.”

For these reasons, it’s best to treat these game animals with respect. Choose your hunting location carefully. Setup where you have good visibility and cover. Train your eyes down wind, but focus on the ditches, tree lines and other terrain features that might conceal a predator’s approach. Look for the slightest movement, all the while remaining as still as possible.

Normally I locate my predator hunting locations while afield for other game. When I notice canine tracks, stool or other, I make a note to return later. Often the best deer or turkey stand will offer excellent opportunities for a predator.

Unlike most game, predators don’t require a lot of specialized equipment. Full camo is necessary, as is a call and firearm but that is where it ends. Hunters can give this exciting pursuit a try simply by investing in a ten-dollar call, and utilizing the gear they have for deer, turkey, or waterfowl hunting.

Calls come in all different varieties. Hand-blown mouth calls are common and very effective. Currently there are several varieties. Close range calls are typically a “squeaky” call designed to coax in the predator for the shot. The most common hand call is the mid-range rabbit-type call. When blown, this call produces a raspy scream or whine, imitating an injured rabbit. There are many excellent choices to choose from, since most models have been around for decades and are proven performers.

Another unique type of call is a “howler” type call.  Normally one utilizes a “howler” call to locate coyotes. The call produces a bark or howl, which imitates a singing coyote and often causes others to sound off. By far the mid range rabbit call is the most versatile of all and will produce excellent results allowing the hunter to be successful with just one call.

Although one can get started without much investment, to be consistently successful it helps to utilize additional tools. A high quality pair of binoculars can be a blessing. I prefer a set of Burris Landmark 8×42 field glasses that allow me to distinguish a coyote from scrub brush at several hundred yards. Good optics allows the hunter to closely inspect the shady areas where predators like to approach from. Binoculars also prevent the extra movement caused when a hunter uses a riflescope to identify objects.

Remember, keep movement to a minimum, and peering through binos is much less visible than scanning the horizon with a scoped rifle.

Wide-open country often requires additional volume. The simple hand call is not nearly as loud or effective as an electronic calling device. The electronic caller such as those manufactured by FoxPro allows the hunter to increase the calling volume, thus also increasing the range of the call as well. Additionally, the electric devices allow the hunter to set up in a location offering excellent visibility, yet place the calling device in another location away from him. Moving the caller away from the hunter is a great trick since the coyote will pinpoint the sound and head directly to that location which gives the hunter a better opportunity for a shot. Pick a spot with good vision in all directions, but be sure to use good camo and keep movement to a minimum. This is an effective method for hunting the seasoned coyote or bobcat that typically busts the hunter before a shot presents itself.

Only the terrain dictates the choice of firearm. Turkey and waterfowl hunters shouldn’t despair if they don’t own an adequate rifle. Shotguns can be just as effective as rifles given the proper location. When choosing a shotgun, I prefer to hunt areas with thicker cover where fifty-yard shots are the maximum. This is a great time to get out those old lead goose loads that might be gathering dust on the shelf. Fox and bobcats are no match for a load of #2 or #4 shot and BB shot is perfect for stopping the largest coyotes around. Be sure to pattern your shotgun to ensure lethal hits, and establish a maximum range.

Any centerfire rifle can be used to take predators. The biggest consideration is pelt damage caused by the larger calibers. I prefer a center fire .22, .24 or .25 caliber rifle for most hunts. Typically, I carry a bolt action .243 Winchester for the versatility it offers. This caliber is extremely flat shooting with high velocity and is available with lightweight bullets that don’t do a lot of damage to the fur. I mount a quality scope such as a 3×9 Burris on top, and it’s ready to go. Hunters can get lots of invaluable practice with their deer rifles if they don’t own a small caliber rifle. The additional practice with that rifle will obviously help them become more proficient when taking shots next deer season.

The hours of sunrise and sunset are the best times to call in a predator. Remember that most coyotes, fox and cats are nocturnal, so hunting during mid-day can produce, but is not the best. Practice approaching your stand without making any unnecessary noise. Slamming truck doors, breaking limbs, causing fences or gates to squeak merely alerts the predator to your presence.

Use stealth when hunting these cunning critters. Coyotes and bobcats can be extremely cautious, so ensure your clothing and body doesn’t emit any foul odors. A facemask such as those used by turkey hunters helps avoid the shine reflected by a hunter’s face or eyeglasses. When the predator is approaching keep all movement and noise to a minimum. A seasoned coyote, fox, or cat will spook easier than an approaching gobbler. Never underestimate their sense of smell, hearing, or their great sight. Occasionally they will come in on the run, but a sly predator can just as easily leave on the run and offer the hunter no opportunity for a shot. Remember that these animals are actually hunting you.

As you can see predators offer a great challenge to anyone. Calling and hunting these wary animals will keep your skills sharp and your interest high. Don’t let one or two uneventful trips cause you to quit. Predators are always on the move. Often one area will be the “hot spot” and contain several predators on any given day. Some days can be extremely rewarding while others frustrating. Yet the challenge of hunting these “hunters” is a great one indeed.  Give predator hunting a try.

written by Tom Cannon

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National Coyote Calling Champions Al Morris and Steve Collins share their secret tactics for predator hunting success.
During the winter, most hunters become restless. The fall hunting seasons are over, the deer are in the freezer, and spring is a few months away. Most of us sit in front of the TV watching hunting shows to get our fix when we could be out chasing coyotes or other predators. Coyote populations have exploded, and they’re almost as common as raccoons. Many of them raid garbage cans and live on the outskirts of housing developments, in the woods and on farms all across the country. Coyotes can be hunted throughout the winter months, and hunters all over the country are realizing how enjoyable predator hunting can be.

Predator hunting is fun to do during the off season. It also benefits deer, turkey and other animals that share the woods with coyotes, coons and foxes. Predators take their fair share of deer, turkey and upland game each year. Since fur prices have been down for a number of years, few of these predators are trapped or hunted, which allows them to grow in large numbers. Predator hunting is a great way to thin out predators in your area and have fun when nothing else is going on in the outdoors.

Coyotes are similar to domesticated dogs. They are smart, learn quickly and can become very wary and call shy. Yet every winter, a few guys seem to bag their fair share of predators because they know how to play the calling game. One guy who knows that game better than most is Steve Collins. Collins has spent a lifetime chasing coyotes all over the country. In 1991, Collins won the National Coyote Calling Championship, so saying he knows how to call coyotes is an understatement. If you’re interested in learning how to bag a few yodel dogs this winter, pay attention as Collins shares his secrets for success. I also interviewed Al Morris of Hunters Specialties who is also a National Coyote Calling Champion and has a wealth of knowledge to share.

Collins has spent many years calling coyotes. He admits that calling in coyotes, especially in the Eastern United States, is a lot harder than it used to be. “Just think how much your dog can learn from a simple pat on the head. The coyotes’ survival depends on knowing how to avoid being killed. In other words, the stakes are high. They have become good at knowing when a hunter is calling and when it is a real rabbit in the brush squealing. I have learned that you only get one chance to call coyotes in. If you don’t harvest them the first time around, they won’t be called in a second time,” Collins explained. The first mistake most hunters make, according to Collins, is overcalling. “I usually stop calling when a dog is about a hundred yards away and let him come find me. If you keep calling, chances are the dog will pinpoint your location, notice you moving and bust you before you have a chance to shoot. Try to limit the amount of calling you do. Do just enough calling to keep the coyotes’ interest up. If he is hungry, he will come and investigate,” Collins added.
National Coyote Calling Champion Steve Collins with a coyote and a bobcat.
Collins said that another mistake many hunters make is not paying close attention to the wind. A dog has an extremely good sense of smell and coyotes that have been hunted hard with calls will often approach a setup downwind. “I always try to work the wind when hunting; however, smart coyotes will work the wind most of the time. I have heard of a lot of hunters using Scent-Lok clothing or scent eliminating sprays like Scent Killer to reduce human odor. I usually hunt with the wind in my face or with a cross wind and try to call them straight in. During the dead of winter when they have gone a few days without a meal, they are more apt to come in running and not pay attention to the wind. This is the best time to hunt. As a rule of thumb, I always hunt the wind,” Collins said.

When Collins started predator hunting, there was not a large selection of calls on the market for predator hunting. He usually used mouth calls of some type that imitated a dying rabbit. “Your success often depended on your ability as a caller. Today there are a wide variety of electronic callers on the market, which makes the calling process easy,” Collins explained. In recent years, companies like Extreme Dimensions have introduced calls that allow you to make two sounds at once, which makes your setup sound more realistic. “Digital callers allow novice hunters to sound like a pro the first time in the woods. Now a guy can sound like a dying rabbit thrashing around in the brush instead of just a dying rabbit, or he can sound like a pack of coyotes howling and something dying at the same time. The more realistic your setup, the better chance you have at calling in animals.

Collins said if you are going to try to call in coyotes using howls and barks, you better know when to use each call. “Back when I started using coyote calls, very few people were using barks and howls to call in dogs. I learned through the school of hard knocks when to use each howl or bark. If you are trying to challenge another coyote by barking at him, you better know the difference between the different types of howls and barks. When you are speaking their language, you can’t make mistakes. A mistake means an educated coyote won’t be called in again. Using the right call at the right time equals a dog in the freezer,” Collins explained.

Since coyotes adjust to hunting pressure so quickly, the pros are always looking for a new tactic to bag predators. Al Morris from Hunters Specialties says one of his favorite tactics is hunting coyotes in the brush. “Most hunters enjoy using a long distance rifle and hunting in big open fields, which is something I enjoy as well. In recent years, I have had more success hunting coyotes in thick cover,” Morris said. Morris usually uses a shotgun when hunting in the brush and says he has learned that dogs often run right in because they are not accustomed to having hunting pressure in thick cover. “When they hear a mouse squeak in the brush, most of the time they come on a dead run. When hunting this way, you need to be alert at all times because the dogs often appear out of nowhere. My average shot is 15-30 yards. I enjoy hunting open country, but I enjoy hunting the thick stuff because when I am competing in a contest, I need pelts in the freezer. Hunting in the brush usually produces more coyotes,” Morris explained.

Another tactic that seems to increase hunters’ odds is using decoys. According to Collins, decoys are a great way to sucker critters within range. “I have not used decoys a lot, but a few of my friends have had great luck with them. When a coyote sees a rabbit or some type of animal thrashing around, they forget about the wind or any other danger and come on a dead run. Now that electronic callers with wireless speakers are available, hunters can place a speaker next to the decoy so when they come in the sound is coming from the decoy, which creates a more realistic setup and often brings the coyotes in on a string,” Collins added.

Collins and Morris believe the easiest way to bag a lot of predators is by finding areas that are overlooked by other hunters. In some cases, that might mean you hunt behind a housing development or hike five miles into the middle of a swamp. Both hunters agree you only get one chance at a coyote. “I remember a few years ago, I was hunting in some cattails on the edge of a frozen lake. I started calling and a bunch of coyotes came running in. A few of them stayed back and even took off after seeing the setup. I am convinced that was the group of coyotes we had called in the year before from the same setup. They remembered what happened the previous year. Coyotes have a great memory. So when you get a shot, you better take it,” Collins stated.

Predator hunting is like deer hunting or turkey hunting. If you want to be successful, you need to invest some time and money in the sport. You will need to practice on your calling, purchase a few mouth calls or a digital caller, and do a little research. Once you have the craft of calling predators down, predator hunting may end up becoming one of your favorite styles of hunting. Nothing compares to watching a hungry coyote sneak in on your setup. In addition to taking out a few predators, you will put a fresh pelt in your freezer and save the lives of a few deer and upland birds.

written by Tracy Breen

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