Best way to call coyotes?

[royaltine]

Just curious.  I've used the 'ol rabbit in distress Circe mouth call and thats about it.  Sure works good, especially when the snow is good and hard and they get a little hungry. 

[KILLERBEE]

i haven't done it a ton but i've always used the good ol' Johnny Stewert electronic call and had some good luck with it. but i have come to believe it is more the set up than the call. like you said if the snow is just right, cold and crispy, then as long as they are close enough to hear you it seems like they will come.
Has anyone ever called i a cat? i never have always thought it would be awsome.

[rubyvalleyboy]

I had to not vote on just one type of call.  They all have their purpose in my sets for the song dogs espiciall if i am hunting alone.  When hunting alone, i will use the howlers to locate where to make the set.  Once i have made the set, i will set up the electronic caller, not to use right away though.  I will sit still for a few minutes and then start with a distress call on the quiet side.  I use jackrabbit distress calls in the foothills and cottontail distress in the river bottoms.  I will call for 5 minutes and always keeping my eyes for the first sign of movement.  If i dont get a response, i will really wail on the call to get the attention of the dogs that are way off.  Like Cody said if the dogs are hungry, they will come a runnin but as soon as they get close they will hang up and wait to locate the prey.  This is when i use the electronic caller.  I usually have the volume set fairly low, and when the dogs hang on the edges of shooting distance, i will use the caller to attract their attention to get closer.  If you use mouth calls when they hang up they will instantly fix on your location and then it is up to you to be totally still and that gets hard when you have to change position to get your shot.  That is where the electronic caller pays for itself.  If you use the elec. caller the attention goes to the speaker hidden 60-100 feet away and when they make their cirlcle to see exactly what it is that is makeing the noise, you have your shot .  I use this same method when hunting w/ a partner, usually my oldest daughter,  we sit 10 15 yards apart and when the dog hangs, she will mouse squeak and then i have the opportunity for the shot.

Cody, i am really glad you started this topic, i have loved to coyote hunt for years and love to talk about it.  It is also starting to rub off on my daughter, age 9, and every year for the last 3 we have been an unstoppable team.   

[KinggeorgeIII]

Try this - Get an old bird cage, the gray wire contraption type, then go to your local feed store and buy a chicken or two. Put them in the cage throw in some water and chicken scratch and set it out where you want punch out some sound dogs.

The sound dogs get curious, and it is fun to watch,  you don't have to blow a call, haul batteries and speakers, best of all the chickens don't get hurt. When you are done, pack em' up and head home.

By the end of the day, or night, you should have a few pelts and your chickens for another days hunt. If it scares the crap out of the chickens and they won't lay eggs, you will always have dinner!

Happy hunting and keep you powder dry,

KGIII

[rubyvalleyboy]

on some of the hunts i have been on, the chicken would really be a treat.

[bigbuck92]

all i do is call with my custom predator calls that i have bought from Kerry Carver,Jerry Latta, and Joe Maguire. there all great and you can get em at a decent price.

[Steve]

I've always used the hand blown calls.  I like the sound of the Circe calls, but the voice box used to wear out fairly fast.  I've had them freeze up in really cold weather.  Maybe the new ones are better. 

I've used the Olt predator calls.  They sound completely different than the Circe calls, but seem to bring coyotes in just about as well.  They have a reed inside, that won't wear out. 

I like to sneak into an area, and hope any coyote won't see me set up.  Sometimes I'll drive my truck to a spot, hike over a ridge and call the drainage on the other side.

I usually call just before dark, but I've called in coyotes at other times of the day.  There are many coyotes that hear the call, and they won't come in.  Some come running head over heels to the call.  Fox come in more slowly. 

Sometimes the coyotes will start howling back at you.  I've never been able to get them to come in after that.

I sure like my 22-250 for coyotes.  I load Hornady hollow pt. match bullets.  They usually blow up inside on a frontal shot.  I usually have a full metal jacket bullet for a second shot.  If I see a fox coming in, I'll jack the hollow pt. out of the chamber, use the FMJ bullet  for less pelt damage.

I like to have my rifle up on my knees when a coyote is coming in.  They are on the look out for any movement.  It's important not to move slowly and carefully, or they will see you.  I like white coveralls for winter and sit in a brush pile or against a tree.  I usually tape my rifle white too.

A friend of mine calls at night with a light, with a red lens on it....I haven't tried that.

I've never used an electronic caller.  That would give the best sound.  I bought a dieing rabbit record once.  I'd use it to try to practice making a realistic sounding call at home.

Probably the wierdest story I ever heard in terms of calling coyotes, was a guy who would take a rabbit out with him calling.  He had a string on a pair of vice grips  He'd tie this to a stake and clamp the vice grips on the rabbits foot.  I'll bet that would work.  The rabbit would squeal and jump all over.  I'm too kind hearted to try something like that.... 

[wynn55]

Ive used electronic (foxpro and jhonny stewert) But I aways seem to use the hand calls more than the 400 dollar call I like hand calls because you can call when you want to call and you can call hard or soft electronic are nice but IMO not worth the green...