I want to coyote hunt

[Mcbink]

Hey guys, I have been thinking for a while and now I am positive that I want to get into coyote hunting. I have always been a deer hunter mainly a little squirrel and rabbit hunting here and there but that's about all I have ever hunted. I'm interested in learning some of the ropes to coyote hunting like setting up calls, etc. I have also been reading up on shooting them with a 17HMR. Overheard a fella tonight talking about shooting one with his 17 and dropping it on the spot. I have also been reading into the effectiveness on the 17HMR on coyotes. Im looking at spending my money on calls, lights, etc. instead of a new rifle (im not to fond of shooting my 270WSM & 7MM Mag at coyotes). So any information such as hunting strategies, where to set up (calls, blinds, stands, maybe decoys?), if you think the 17hmr would be effective (i'll be shooting less than 100 yards more than likely, 150-200 yds if I found some land I can hunt with a shot that far), maybe calling techniques, websites, threads, anything useful. Anyways thanks in advance for any helpful input you can give me I look forward to learning a little about it!

 

[Jerkbait]

get you a fox pro. i use a stinger light. setup where you can see a good ways. me personally i would be carrying a bigger gun. i want them dead. if you are confident with the .17 then shoot it. i always hunt with another gunner. one of us is the rifle man one the shotgun man. if they pop in close, and they will, the shotgun is the way to go. play with some sounds, start off quietly get louder. i keep the light scanning the whole time. if one answers you then try and get a dialogue goin but be ready theyre probably coming. very fun hunting but can be very tough and youll make a lot of costly mistakes just be sure to learn from them.

 

[Mcbink]

Thanks man that works out pretty good because I have a mossberg 500 ive been trying to figure out what to do with because i pretty much just dont care for using it for anything. Im confident in the .17 to try it once or twice. Do you know of any laws/restrictions for coyote hunting in general and anything about hunting them at night? Also not that Im too worried about it but is there anything that is good but not as costly as the fox pro?

 

[Mcbink]

one more thing, when you and your hunting partner set up how do you prefer to set up together, in a blind, apart, etc.?

 

[Jerkbait]

no laws that come to mind but always read the regs. you arent supposed to shoot a fox or bobcat while using an ecaller. cant recommend anything other than a foxpro because thats the only one i like to use. they have cheaper ones and you can buy used.

 

[Jerkbait]

we set up together. caller out front a little ways

 

[Mcbink]

I found the foxpro spitfire on cabelas. ill probably try to order it in the next day or so. now as far as actually hunting them, do you use decoys? would you recommend a blind or sitting up against a tree or hell in a tree for that matter?

 

[Jerkbait]

not sure a decoy does much good at night which is when i prefer to hunt. i do not own one.
you want to set up best you can in an area where you can see well, facing where you think they might come from. they will circle you to get the wind if they can and then the show is up. sitting on the ground would be the norm but i guess you could sit in a stand. no sense in a blind or anything. just sit against a hay bale, tree, or fence post. that or get a turkey lounger seat.

 

[Mcbink]

well, thank you for helping me out! have you used the foxpro wildfire 2? im looking at it or the spitfire.

 

[Jerkbait]

i would get the nicest one you can afford. they really do get better with the more you spend. i have used their nicest and cheapest and there are huge differences. the cheap ones are not as loud but will work.