Fox/coyote hunting

[Teamhoyt]

My buddy and myself are planning on going out this weekend to try and get some fox or coyotes. We have the lights, electric call etc never really had any luck. 3 foxes and 0 coyotes. We've been out a few times. What are some tips

[mowin]

Good luck. They are smart critters. 

I've got a couple buddies with all the gear. Night vision, thermal Scopes ect.  They go out a couple times a week. 

[Moog5050]

26 minutes ago, Teamhoyt said:

My buddy and myself are planning on going out this weekend to try and get some fox or coyotes. We have the lights, electric call etc never really had any luck. 3 foxes and 0 coyotes. We've been out a few times. What are some tips

Expect them to circle downwind from the call.   If possible I like to set up on a crosswind so that you are not in line with downwind of the  call.   Don’t be afraid to alter volume - low higher and lower as they come in.   Don’t miss.  Lol. And don’t quit right away even if you miss one.  I recall a set where we had some coming even after several shots. 
 

oh yea, at times silence is your friend.  

Edited January 3, 2023 by Moog5050

[Moog5050]

Excellent book on calling sequences by a guy from my area.   

[LET EM GROW]

13 hours ago, Teamhoyt said:

My buddy and myself are planning on going out this weekend to try and get some fox or coyotes. We have the lights, electric call etc never really had any luck. 3 foxes and 0 coyotes. We've been out a few times. What are some tips

Stick to coyote vocals and use them sparingly(less is more) and  (yes you will still call in fox) unless your after either, then you can use a mix of vocals and prey distress.

When you put lights on a coyote, keep your light hovered right over the top of the coyote just high enough that you can still see the coyote at the bottom of your beam and keep it there, do not ever take the light off the coyote until you squeeze the trigger.. The putting the light on and off a coyote will make them spook 99% of the time, especially if there's other predator hunters in the area.  Scan slow and high, using the bottom of your lights halo to catch eye balls, not the beams center.

Keep an eye on your downwind side, coyotes will eventually get there, but they don't always.. (my hunt Last weekend I called the same coyote downwind twice within an hour trying to get my boys a shot.. after he was 15 yards from us downwind) ..  

I rarely use prey distress calls. Only when the night is dead, I don't target fox. But still call them in with coyote vocals. You must be realistic.. 

If you're looking into this type of hunting I highly recommend you either listen to Michael Huffs videos on learning and understanding them or a local WNY Legend Andrew Lewands books.. 

Once you learn the coyote you will call them more effectively. They are the smartest animal in the woods.. And its addicting!  

Remember, Less is MORE!! 

Best of luck, Keep us posted. Coyote hunting is my all time favorite

Edited January 4, 2023 by LET EM GROW

[mowin]

7 minutes ago, LET EM GROW said:

Stick to coyote vocals and use them sparringly(less is more) and  (yes you will still call in fox) unless your after either, then you can use a mix of vocals and prey distress.

When you put lights on a coyote, keep your light hovered right over the top of the coyote just high enough that you can still see the coyote at the bottom of your beam and keep it there, do not ever take the light off the coyote until you squeeze the trigger.. The putting the light on and off a coyote will make them spook 99% of the time, especially if there's other predator hunters in the area. 

I rarely use prey distress calls. Only when the night is dead, I dont target fox. But still call them in with coyote vocals. You must be realistic.. 

If youre looking into this type of hunting I highly recomend you either listen to Michael Huffs videos on learning and understanding them or a local WNY Legend Andrew Lewands books.. 

Once you learn the coyote you will call them more effectively. They are the smartest animal in the woods.. And its addicting!  

Remember, Less is MORE!! 

Best of luck, Keep us posted. Coyote hunting is my all time favorite

Without wiping out the bank account, what do you recommend for someone that just wants to get out a few times during the evenings?  My buddies are trying to convince me to purchase thermal Scopes, night vision and obviously callers.  

What are my options for night optics or lights without spending thousands of dollars? 

Edited January 4, 2023 by mowin

[LET EM GROW]

Just now, mowin said:

Without wiping out the bank account, what do you recommend for someone that just wasn't to get out a few times during the evenings?  My buddies are trying to convince me to purchase thermal Scopes, night vision and obviously callers.  

What are my options for night optics or lights without spending thousands of dollars? 

I highly highly recommend the Sightmark Wraith Digital NV optic. You can get it brand new for $499 and out of the box see and shoot 200 yards or more. If you upgrade the InfraRed light($150-$250) you'll be able to see way way farther than you can shoot. Its a great entry level setup that you can really use forever(until it stops working) My scopes are 1 and 4 years old now and zero issues. Purchase a 30$ Anker battery pack and you can run the scope all night long. All this for less than a 1k. You cant beat it.. 

If you want to stick to lights, Any Wicked Light or Sniper hog light will work good.. Just remember a bright light is great for the human eye, but the coyote not so much.. Hence why i recommend keeping the bottom of your lights beam in your focus area..   I ran lights a few years but spooked half or more(that I actually got a visual of)  

This Digital NV scope will record your hunts as well which is neat, helps you catch mishaps, kills and allows you to learn a little from your hunts..  

I also highly recommend for night hunting is a tripod to hold your gun when hunting after dark. Standing in the dark is way better than sitting, I sit during day hunts usually. I'm no pro but I feel my Batting average is pretty good.. Feel free to ask anything. I'm glad to help. 

[mowin]

6 minutes ago, LET EM GROW said:

I highly highly recommend the Sightmark Wraith Digital NV optic. You can get it brand new for $499 and out of the box see and shoot 200 yards or more. If you upgrade the InfraRed light($150-$250) you'll be able to see way way farther than you can shoot. Its a great entry level setup that you can really use forever(until it stops working) My scopes are 1 and 4 years old now and zero issues. Purchase a 30$ Anker battery pack and you can run the scope all night long. All this for less than a 1k. You cant beat it.. 

If you want to stick to lights, Any Wicked Light or Sniper hog light will work good.. Just remember a bright light is great for the human eye, but the coyote not so much.. Hence why i recommend keeping the bottom of your lights beam in your focus area..   I ran lights a few years but spooked half or more(that I actually got a visual of)  

This Digital NV scope will record your hunts as well which is neat, helps you catch mishaps, kills and allows you to learn a little from your hunts..  

I also highly recommend for night hunting is a tripod to hold your gun when hunting after dark. Standing in the dark is way better than sitting, I sit during day hunts usually. I'm no pro but I feel my Batting average is pretty good.. Feel free to ask anything. I'm glad to help. 

$499 isn't bad.  200y poke at night has to be different, more difficult than day time shooting, no? 

The $30 battery pack seems like a no brainer.  

Just have to look for a 243, or possibly get a .204 barrel for my pro hunter.  

[LET EM GROW]

53 minutes ago, mowin said:

$499 isn't bad.  200y poke at night has to be different, more difficult than day time shooting, no? 

The $30 battery pack seems like a no brainer.  

Just have to look for a 243, or possibly get a .204 barrel for my pro hunter.  

If you can and its legal for your area, 243 is the better gun for coyotes. just in case your shot is off its mark a few inches, we all know how that goes when your ready to squeeze off a harvest, and now mix it with darkness. lol. I love hunting these coyotes after dark. So if you look up these scope models. They make a few different ones. I would look into the Wraith HD 2-16x Its better for the sub 100yrd shots. the 4x model makes 200yrds look like 75. Hard to judge yardage without a rangefinder at night. 200yrd is only tough if you dont have a good tripod setup or if your sitting a bipod or prone of some sort. Its not really that bad. These scopes have focus adjustments and with the upgraded light you can see crystal clear a long ways. Obviously with digital, the more you zoom the more grainy it gets. We shot a couple last year at 250yrds or so. Very capable providing your gun and you are.. 

I have the 2x model on my 223 and the 4x model on my 22 nosler. You can pick up used models for less too.. but you risk buying used electronics from strangers.. if you know what i mean.     The only downfalls with using these electronic scopes and scanners and such after dark is the battery life on some, and the fact that your eye gets "worn out or tired" from looking through a bright digital screen in the darkness. 

The more "accessories on a gun also adds weight, which sucks but thats what a decent or good tripod will help with .. 

Edited January 4, 2023 by LET EM GROW

[mowin]

8 minutes ago, LET EM GROW said:

If you can and its legal for your area, 243 is the better gun for coyotes. just in case your shot is off its mark a few inches, we all know how that goes when your ready to squeeze off a harvest, and now mix it with darkness. lol. I love hunting these coyotes after dark. So if you look up these scope models. They make a few different ones. I would look into the Wraith HD 2-16x Its better for the sub 100yrd shots. the 4x model makes 200yrds look like 75. Hard to judge yardage without a rangefinder at night. 200yrd is only tough if you dont have a good tripod setup or if your sitting a bipod or prone of some sort. Its not really that bad. These scopes have focus adjustments and with the upgraded light you can see crystal clear a long ways. Obviously with digital, the more you zoom the more grainy it gets. We shot a couple last year at 250yrds or so. Very capable providing your gun and you are.. 

I have the 2x model on my 223 and the 4x model on my 22 nosler. You can pick up used models for less too.. but you risk buying used electronics from strangers.. if you know what i mean.     The only downfalls with using these electronic scopes and scanners and such after dark is the battery life on some, and the fact that your eye gets "worn out or tired" from looking through a bright digital screen in the darkness. 

The more "accessories on a gun also adds weight, which sucks but thats what a decent or good tripod will help with .. 

My buddy has a bog pod.  His daughter used it during this yrs youth season. I was surprised how heavy it was.  Definitely make a solid shooting rest thought.  

I think the only way I'd purchase one of those used is from someone I know. 

Thanks for the info.  I'll start looking for stuff this winter and hopefully have something set up for next season.  I just hope I don't spiral out of control with spending once I get hooked, lol. 

[LET EM GROW]

17 minutes ago, mowin said:

My buddy has a bog pod.  His daughter used it during this yrs youth season. I was surprised how heavy it was.  Definitely make a solid shooting rest thought.  

I think the only way I'd purchase one of those used is from someone I know. 

Thanks for the info.  I'll start looking for stuff this winter and hopefully have something set up for next season.  I just hope I don't spiral out of control with spending once I get hooked, lol. 

The only reason you "wont" spend a ton of money is if you absolutely hate it.. lol.

If your anything like me were the silence of the night, and nocturnal nature waking up while we go to sleep.. brings you a stress relief.. you'll love it and start spending another small fortune lol.

I Was hoping to have a nice Thermal optic this year but I bought a property this summer instead.  Night Vision you can get 100% positive ID on wildlife.. Thermal, once you use it enough you'll learn what is what.. but it takes a little time. But you see heat signatures of everything out there and see things you wouldn't have seen with NV or Lights. Which is why I really like the Night Vison for an optic to positively ID before trigger pull, and the thermal to see a heat signature and know there's something there. 

I kept telling my boys Sunday Night to shoot shoot shoot, when they couldn't see a damn thing with brush and branches in the way with the NV scope.. My thermal doesn't show it great. I'm thinking the shot is in the wide open and it really wasn't lol 

On top of this, I highly recommend reading or listening to Michael Huffs Coyote books.. and or reading Andrew Lewand.. he's local and a stone cold predator killer. Its a whole different ball game playing at night.. but its so fun!

[mowin]

2 hours ago, LET EM GROW said:

The only reason you "wont" spend a ton of money is if you absolutely hate it.. lol.

If your anything like me were the silence of the night, and nocturnal nature waking up while we go to sleep.. brings you a stress relief.. you'll love it and start spending another small fortune lol.

I Was hoping to have a nice Thermal optic this year but I bought a property this summer instead.  Night Vision you can get 100% positive ID on wildlife.. Thermal, once you use it enough you'll learn what is what.. but it takes a little time. But you see heat signatures of everything out there and see things you wouldn't have seen with NV or Lights. Which is why I really like the Night Vison for an optic to positively ID before trigger pull, and the thermal to see a heat signature and know there's something there. 

I kept telling my boys Sunday Night to shoot shoot shoot, when they couldn't see a damn thing with brush and branches in the way with the NV scope.. My thermal doesn't show it great. I'm thinking the shot is in the wide open and it really wasn't lol 

On top of this, I highly recommend reading or listening to Michael Huffs Coyote books.. and or reading Andrew Lewand.. he's local and a stone cold predator killer. Its a whole different ball game playing at night.. but its so fun!

Not seeing branches is something I heard my buddies talking about. They have thermal Scopes, but also have NV handheld optics. 

Lots of fields where I hunt, and several large swamps.  Hopefully we can get them into the fields.  We're planning on going next week sometime.  One of them has a setup I can use. 

[LET EM GROW]

18 minutes ago, mowin said:

Not seeing branches is something I heard my buddies talking about. They have thermal Scopes, but also have NV handheld optics. 

Lots of fields where I hunt, and several large swamps.  Hopefully we can get them into the fields.  We're planning on going next week sometime.  One of them has a setup I can use. 

Awesome, As long as you're not afraid of the dark and noises you'll love it. lol. A great way to see if you like it using one of theirs. That's why I have 2 setups ready to go, bring a new hunter or family member or friends or what not. ITs great bc you can talk lightly and shoot the chit and have a good time.. while standing in the middle of fields and what not. 

I got home Monday at 5am and my youngest woke up at 520am. Monday was a rough morning lol. 

Keep me/us posted how it goes. 

[mowin]

5 minutes ago, LET EM GROW said:

Awesome, As long as you're not afraid of the dark and noises you'll love it. lol. A great way to see if you like it using one of theirs. That's why I have 2 setups ready to go, bring a new hunter or family member or friends or what not. ITs great bc you can talk lightly and shoot the chit and have a good time.. while standing in the middle of fields and what not. 

I got home Monday at 5am and my youngest woke up at 520am. Monday was a rough morning lol. 

Keep me/us posted how it goes. 

Got over being afraid of the dark about 50yrs ago, lol.  

I won't do any all nighters.. too old for that.  But a couple hrs after dark, or before daylight sounds good.  I'll post our success or failures.   

[LET EM GROW]

On 1/4/2023 at 12:57 PM, mowin said:

Got over being afraid of the dark about 50yrs ago, lol.  

I won't do any all nighters.. too old for that.  But a couple hrs after dark, or before daylight sounds good.  I'll post our success or failures.   

I hear ya, i get out there and the cool/cold air is like an energy drink. Wakes me right up. I go out after my boy falls asleep. Usually around 10 or so i get out.. Make 2 or 3 stands a night  and head home depending on the action. 

Definitely be where coyotes are or like/want to be. Places you see them or get pics often.. Hunting spots or areas where coyotes really are not.. IT will make you not enjoy it quick. lol. They will not travel where they don't like to be or aren't going to be in areas or properties that don't have an abundance of what they need.. If that makes sense..  they are the smartest animal out there and its fun when you beat them at their game. 

best of luck!

I made a set yesterday morning at 5am before i had to get to a dr appt.. I was a tad late as there was a coyote already in the field i wanted to hunt, and trotted off when i pulled up.. So i kept my calls minimal and tried communicating.. keeping it realistic as possible.