Coyotes are considered an incredibly difficult species to hunt. There are extremely smart, and have an innate ability to sense danger. They have a remarkable sense of smell, sight, and hearing which makes coyote hunting some of the most challenging for even the veteran hunter. Because these canines are some of the smartest, planning a coyote hunting trip takes a lot of time and knowledge. As many hunters have found, setting up in the wrong place at the wrong time can make all the difference between a successful hunt, and going home empty handed.
The first step in planning a coyote hunt is location. The more a hunter scouts potential areas the more accustomed he will become to the surroundings and where the coyotes are. Knowing the animal becomes an essential tool in coyote hunting. When scouting a hunter must now how to identify a coyote's footprint; unlike the print of a dog, a coyote track is more egg shaped and compact.
Scat will also be a tell tale sign of a coyote presence; it is generally cigar shaped and bleaches white the longer it's exposed to the sun. Another thing to look for when scouting for coyotes is smaller game. Coyotes prefer to hang around the food, which in this case is rabbits or rodents. If you see signs of these animals in the area, there's a chance coyotes have been around too. Another sign to look for is hair caught in fences; coyotes have no qualms about digging under of jumping over obstacles.
Setting up for your coyote hunt is another thing that needs some planning. Because of the coyote's exceptional sense of smell and sight, a hunter must take a lot of time choosing his site wisely. Paying close attention to wind direction will be the hunter's first task in setting up; it is best if the wind is blowing directly towards you, that way your scent will blow away and hopefully remain unnoticed by any coyotes in the area. Wearing camouflage and sitting in the shade will also greatly increase a hunter's chances of outwitting the coyote.
Calls can also work to increase a hunter's chances of drawing in coyotes. A coyote call can be a tricky tool to master though, so be sure to practice in your free time. A poor call may drive the coyote away, not closer. There are many great coyote calls on the market, and many even come with audio recordings for the hunter to practice different types of calls.
Generally speaking, a hunter's best bet is calling once for 20-30 seconds every two minutes or so, for up to a half hour. While coyotes often outsmart even the seasoned hunter, with some time and patience a hunter can have an exciting coyote hunting experience.
