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Post by lawman635 on Dec 2, 2014 8:07:29 GMT -7
I have been out at least 8 times in the last 3 weeks to various spots in the southeast and I have yet to call a dog in. Went Sunday to a new area that I know holds dogs and sat on 4 stands that had everything working for them. Wind, sun, cover etc. NOTHING!!! Anyone else having a hard time lately. Is it just not cold enough? Seems to me that it is not cold enough and they have it to easy. Opinions?
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Post by idahosongdogger on Dec 2, 2014 14:15:21 GMT -7
Lawman...I'm sorry to hear you aren't finding the dogs...they are certainly out... I am in the Magic Valley and have yet to be skunked. Mind you I do have sets that don't produce, but in a day I have yet to not at least have a shot. Id be willing to offer some advice if you're open to it. What calls/vocalizations do you use? Using the right words is the difference between getting lucky and getting a door slammed in your face  Start out with lighter calls and work up from there. Aggressive calling right out of the gate has cost me many coyotes! I tend to give a bark/howl or a locate howl first. The season will also dictate which calls to use. Mating season is great for this call or challenge howls. The later the season gets, distress calls are awesome, but choose the right call based on prey in your hunting area. I use jack distress, cottontail distress, magpie distress, and occasionally I like to throw in random chirps with my squeaker. In the denning season try pup distress calls...They love this! Are you using camo and if so, are you using scent blocker or some other odor eliminator? Also, what times of day are you out? Morning sets are great, but I have had most luck in the hours just before sunset. However, I just knocked two down this morning between 8-10, so it certainly can vary. Be sure to make stealthy approaches to your stands, don't slam pickup doors, don't skyline yourself, and keep the wind in your face! Do you know anyone else who hunt coyotes to go out with...? Sometimes the hardest part is trying to do all the calling, all the glassing and all the shooting at the same time. Having a partner gives you a second set of eyes...and someone to call so you can keep your eyes on a swivel and hands on the rifle. There isn't a recipe that works all the time. Just keep hitting it... |
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Post by lawman635 on Dec 3, 2014 8:01:34 GMT -7
I wear a full ghillie suit, one for if their is snow on the ground or not. Scent blocker the works. I have a Alpha dog from Primos that i run most of the time and augment with hand calls as well. Have mostly been using a rabbit distress of some kind. Have not had a whole lot of luck with howls yet and have not tried magpie distress at all. I have been hunting coyotes for about 10 years now and have never had this bad of luck. I hunt mostly private land with some unique spots thrown in to boot that I know no one would even think to hunt and have had success. My father always comes with me and sometimes a third. Always sit tight no movement watching downwind etc. Last yote we had come in was November 3rd. Might have to try howling a little more in the beginning or something. I know last year out this way kinda sucked cause it never really got to cold and they never had to work for dinner so it was dicey trying to call them in. P.S. If your ever in the neighborhood hit me up and I can show you some country over this way.
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Post by idahosongdogger on Dec 4, 2014 6:45:29 GMT -7
Sounds like you have things pretty well in hand. I guess attitude is all you gotta work on now! Say it with me, I didn't get skunked, I just figured out where they aren't hiding! LOL*
Sure thing about hitting you up..Same goes for you. I am about to hit the trapping pretty hard, so song doggin' will be tough, but I'd be up for a hunt if you ever come to Twin Falls.
BTW. I never use digital calls. It feels like cheating. I like hand calls because I can emote as much passion and emotion as I want, based on the reaction and behavior of the dog. Howling is a VERY underutilized part of hunting coyotes. With practice you can certainly call in many more dogs than just distress calls. Especially if they are heavily pressured in an area! Give it a go and let me know how you do!
Good hunting!
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Post by lawman635 on Dec 4, 2014 7:53:52 GMT -7
Thanks for the tips. I am headed out this weekend and going to try howling more. I have always wanted to hunt out that way. Seems like a lot of area that is open to hunting. Around here you have to have permission for private land or you have to find the spotty land in between that and the reservation. Going to have to set up a hunt in the near future out that way with ya.
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Post by dew7880 on Dec 8, 2014 9:40:42 GMT -7
If you are sure there are dogs in the area and you are having this much trouble they are most certainly educated. I wear a ghillie suit during contests but to be honest with you, scent and camo and sounds are not the problem. I have called and shotgunned coyotes (close range) wearing nothing more than a t-shirt and jeans with cologne and deodorant on. Like idahosongdogger suggested, put down the e-caller and try hand calling. If that don't work, the best way iv'e found to shoot the most educated of coyotes is to break out the ol' spotlight!! Now were really having fun kids!! And yes, it is legal....
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Eric Mayer
Club Member 
Sponsor/Club Member
Posts: 81
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Post by Eric Mayer on Dec 11, 2014 17:52:18 GMT -7
It's been slow for us down here in SoCal, but I chalk that up to the weather and extreme pressure from the guys who have been hunting since July. Storms are on their way through California, so I think it will be really good just before Christmas. We did 6 stands on Sunday, called in domestic dogs on two of them, a coyote I missed on another and a coyote that I dropped when I was by myself, to a very quiet jackrabbit sound.  My longest streak of no responses has been about 4 or 5 separate days, with numerous stands on those days. I did what was recommended above and switched it up to some old hand calls that I have. Worked like a charm and brought back some confidence as well. Good hunting! Eric  |
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Post by 72camaro on Dec 12, 2014 12:25:36 GMT -7
Nice.
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Start out with lighter calls and work up from there. Aggressive calling right out of the gate has cost me many coyotes! I tend to give a bark/howl or a locate howl first. The season will also dictate which calls to use. Mating season is great for this call or challenge howls. The later the season gets, distress calls are awesome, but choose the right call based on prey in your hunting area. I use jack distress, cottontail distress, magpie distress, and occasionally I like to throw in random chirps with my squeaker. In the denning season try pup distress calls...They love this!
