Coyotes are what are considered pest animals. In other words, they are abundant and prey on game animals such as deer and turkeys. When it comes to coyote hunting, the best course of action is not to release them back into the environment to prey on wildlife. There are several laws against the non-release of coyotes back into the environment after hunting.
There is one exception to the non-release of coyotes in Alabama, and that is on private property as long as it is not being utilized for commercial purposes. Coyote hunters also release them at home or other places they would be comfortable keeping until their offspring mature enough to move out independently.
What type of coyote species do we have in the US?
There are three different types of coyotes in the US: Mexican, Eastern, and Western. The Mexican Coyote is the smallest of the three and is most prevalent in California, and it is also found all along the eastern coast and in Texas. You can find the Eastern Coyote throughout the eastern side of the United States and large portions of Canada. It is more significant than its counterpart. The Western coyote is much larger than its counterparts and can be found from Colorado to Utah to Wisconsin to Wyoming.
How Do I Hunt Coyotes?
There are several ways to pursue and catch your target, but there is no perfect way for everyone. You have some options:
A Good Shotgun
Coyotes don’t tend to be the most potent or agile animals, so a heavy rifle like good shotgun should be more than enough for hunting them. Here are two effective methods:
- Stand Hunting. This method consists of setting up a good location where coyotes tend to pass by and wait for them there. Even though the procedure is relatively straightforward, it requires some patience and luck. You can set up enclosed hunting trailer and safely wait for the cayote to pass by and aim for a good shot.
- Drive Hunting. This method consists of driving around with your vehicle in search of coyotes. You can drive from one spot to the other, or you can throw some corn as bait to lure the coyotes to you.
Trapping Coyotes
Trapping is an effective method in a coyote hunt, but it is not easy. It requires a lot of skill and enough knowledge about these animals to trap them successfully. In addition, with traps, there is a catch-and-release rule to follow.
Bow Hunting
It comes in many forms, but the simplest form is when you wait for a coyote on foot and shoot it using a bow. There are several different techniques for hunting coyotes, but this is the most common method.
Hounds and Hunts
Hounds are an effective way to hunt coyotes, and several different breeds can be used effectively. Hounds work well to sniff out coyotes and lead you to where they’re hiding. But it’s important to remember that hounds will not chase after coyotes, so you need to send them after the prey yourselves.
Aerial Hunting
This method is more of a sport than a hunting practice, and it is more suited to wealthy, adventurous hunters. It involves shooting coyotes from the air.
Coyote Calling
Coyotes have empathetic hearing, so they are easy targets for those who know how to recreate their calls using a calling device. In most cases, this happens through predator decoys.
A coyote’s acute sense of hearing allows it to find its way through the most improbable of environments. A coyote will readily hunt in urban areas because of this ability. In addition, because the animal has a keen sense of smell, they can hunt very efficiently in these environments. Coyotes have attacked domestic and wild animals, with many reported incidents involving raccoons, cats, and livestock. However, they are incredibly wary of any human presence in their territory (unlike wolves).
Danger Involved in Coyote Hunting
Coyotes are usually very aggressive animals. They will hunt other animals as well as people. Some people have been bitten, and coyotes have attacked others. There have also been cases of children playing with coyotes and getting attacked by the animals.
There is real danger involved in coyote hunting. You should always be aware of your surroundings and not assume that because you are in an area populated with people, everything is fine, and it will involve no danger in getting your kill.
Hunting Regulations
Some states do not allow coyote hunting. In other states, there are no permits required to hunt coyotes. The only legal requirement is that you have a license to hunt in your state.
Some states that do not allow coyote hunting include Arizona, Arkansas, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas. Some states that do allow coyote hunting include Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, and Michigan.
The good news is that there are some state licenses and tags available to coyote hunters. For example, state licenses are available for coyote hunting in Delaware, DC, Idaho, Maryland, Michigan, and Oklahoma. In addition, several kinds of tags can be purchased when hunting coyotes in several locations around the country.
You can purchase a state license or tag to hunt coyotes if you are willing to do the following:
- Complete a hunter education course.
- Pass a background check.
- Get a license or tag by paying the required fee.
The state traps must also be kept on private property and not used during hunting season to keep the animal from being released back into the area where it has just been hunted and killed. Also, you cannot hunt within 100 yards of a residence, water well, or livestock pen where there are children present without permission from the property owner before hunting that spot.
Coyote Hunting Season
The best time to hunt coyotes is from August to March. Some states allow coyote hunting year-round, but most states do not. Therefore, the best deer hunting times usually are between October and Thanksgiving in most parts of the country.
How to hunt coyotes?
There are many ways to make it possible to hunt coyotes without spending a lot of money.
You’ll need some essential tools to have on hand when hunting coyotes.
A high-powered rifle or a bow and arrows will work. A powerful scope is also recommended to be more accurate when shooting at coyotes. The best weapon to hunt coyotes is a shotgun loaded with Coyote slugs (a particular round for hunting coyotes). It will spread open the skull of the animal when shot correctly.
Many states also have a coyote hunting season with no license fee. For example, in the following states, you do not need to purchase a coyote license or tag: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Vermont. Currently, there are no states that have a coyote hunting season without a license.
How Do I Get Started With Coyote Hunting?
It is the most challenging step of all. First, you need to know the coyote hunting grounds well before you set out to hunt.
Once you get started, there are several ways to identify coyotes in the wild. One of the easiest ways is by their tracks. Please ensure you know what to look for when going out hunting. Coyotes have feet that resemble those of dogs, but they are smaller. You will want to find a spot where coyotes have been spotted before. Scout the animals at dawn or dusk, so you don’t scare them away.
Coyote hunting is a sport that requires plenty of patience. The good news is, you can always find ways to kill coyotes without harming them. For example, if they are hunting your bait, you can take down a branch and make a noise with it to get rid of them.
How long does it take to hunt coyotes?
That depends on the hunting type you do and your distance from the game. For example, if the coyote is on private land and you are on public land, it may take some time to find the animal. Another instance is when you are using nightforce or swarovski for hunting, you can work on long range and it will be more easy to aim the cayote and full the trigrer.
What should I use to protect myself when hunting?
Always wear protective clothing when hunting for coyotes. It may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many hunters are injured each year. Be sure to wear camouflage that will help you blend into the environment so that you can sneak up on the coyote without being noticed. Camouflage that works during the day is very different from your camouflage at night, so be sure to bring the appropriate clothing.
How do I hunt coyotes at night?
Hunting coyotes at night requires different skills and tactics:
- You will want to set out a trap in an area where you have identified their past whereabouts.
- Make sure the area is well lit, so you can see what is going on around you.
- Wear a headlamp on your head so that it illuminates the area around you, making it easier to spot your prey.
However, keep in mind that light will attract the coyote to your location.
You can make a little noise with a stick or branch to scare the coyote away. As soon as you know the coyote is gone, take down your trap safely and remove any evidence that you were there.
Coyote Hunting Tips
Several important tips will assist you in hunting for coyotes. One of them is that when setting out traps to catch the animal, make sure they are working. If they aren’t, you could be letting the coyote free. However, if the trap is successful, you can return to them later and release the animal in an area where it has already been sighted.
Another essential tip is always to wear camouflage clothing when hunting for coyotes. That will make you more difficult to spot from a distance, which will make your hunting much more effortless. You should also wear something that makes noise when moving around to scare them away.
What happens to a dead coyote after it has been killed?
A fundamental principle when hunting for coyotes is only to kill animals that are wanted. If you have shot a coyote and it’s not the animal you’re looking for, make sure to release it into nature again so that it may live another day. In addition to this, while you’re hunting for coyotes, it’s possible to get shot by a random coyote hunter or accidentally get caught in someone else’s trap. Therefore, you should ensure you are careful and keep a safe distance away from other hunters.
Summary
Always make sure that you know what to do with the animal you shot. If you are not interested in eating it, then make sure to release it back into the wild, where it can live another day. If you want to keep the animal, then take it to a veterinarian and determine if they will accept payment for its capture. If not, then consider bringing it to a shelter. You may also want to think about selling the animal.