New coyote hunter

871 Views 4 Replies 5 Participants Last post by swpa87, Dec 31, 2012

PGH Bowhunter15

Discussion Starter · Dec 31, 2012

Hi folks, I decided that this is the year I am going to give coyote hunting a try. I am doing it for two reasons. One, I would REALLY like to put a little dent in the yote population on my property where I archery hunt. Whether or not I succeed in doing that, my second reason is that I would simply like to try it and see if I like it.
So I need a little help. I read the post for beginners and that was a fantastic source of info. I do have a question on lights though. I have an ample supply of mag lights (large and small), generic flashlights, small headlamps that I typically use for field dressing deer in the dark, and a large spotlight. I plan on hunting over a field with a maximum shot range of about 150 yds. My thought was to use one of the smaller lights for a scanning light, and the spotlight for a kill light. I'll be hunting with my dad or brother, so one of us will probably operate the light with the other on the gun. Is a small mag light sufficient for a scanning light?

The other question I have regards calls. We have an electronic call that can be operated by remote. Not sure of brand or model, etc. My dad bought it a few years back, but has since only used it to play pranks on relatives and friends. Should I put the call out where i expect to be able to take a shot (say 50-100 yds away) or should it be placed closer to my location?

I realize I dont have a lot of specifics in this post, and my questions will probably be answered with a little trial and error, just looking for a little advice from the experts.

See less See more

Save

1 - 5 of 5 Posts

burghwolfe

· #2 · Dec 31, 2012

PGH Bowhunter15,
I am a new coyote hunter as well and here is my two cents. Use a dimmer headlamp to locate the eyes as they come in and then go to a brighter gun mounted light once you locate one and need to verify it is a coyote and shoot. Are any of the lights you have red? That seems to be the preferred option over a typical white light since white tends to scare game more.

As far as where you locate your call, you definitely want it fairly close to you and not 100 yards away. Get them in for as close as a shot as you can. I made an e-caller and I operate it with my ipod. The speaker is attached to 50 feet of speaker wire so I don't have the sound coming from my direct location so the eyes aren't right on me. I haven't had the chance to use my homemade rabbit decoy yet.

Where are you in Pittsburgh? I'm in Dormont.

See less See more

Save

G.C. Archer

· #3 · Dec 31, 2012

My honest opinion is use whatever you have access to at the time. Make your final decision after you hunt a few times to whether you want to purchase a more expensive predator setup.
My buddy killed his fox last year with a mine light, and I know the guy I pred. hunt with used mag lights taped to their guns for years with a boom box playing different calling sequences.
If you do your homework and play the wind to the best of your advantage, you'll be fine. Good luck!

Save

Night Eyes

· #4 · Dec 31, 2012

burghwolfe said:
PGH Bowhunter15,
I am a new coyote hunter as well and here is my two cents. Use a dimmer headlamp to locate the eyes as they come in and then go to a brighter gun mounted light once you locate one and need to verify it is a coyote and shoot. Are any of the lights you have red? That seems to be the preferred option over a typical white light since white tends to scare game more.

A proven method is to use a headlamp for scanning to locate the eyes of the predator. If you chose to have someone else use the scanning light you may not see the reflection of the eyes. The eyes will reflect back to the light source where they will be the brightest. The brighter, gun mounted light then can be used to I.D. the predator and place the shot. “Light conditioning”
Both myself and Boondock Outdoors or sponsors to this site and sell quality red L.E.D. predator lighting.

http://shop.boondock-outdoors.com/

http://nighteyespredatorlight.com/

Save

swpa87

· #5 · Dec 31, 2012

You could color tye lenses red with a sharpie, it comes off too so not to mess tye light up if you want to change it, I would deffinitly go that route if i were usin a mag light, a small maglight witg an adjustable beam would be ideal for scanning maby even shooting, you can get light mounts for your scope or shotfgun barrel very cheap off amazon, wich I would totaly recomend, I would also suggest making some sort of shootinsticks so because you will not halfto move much when you go to shoot. Also with the sticks you may just use a light in your hand for shooting without holding it. Regular headlamps are not going to work well for scanning sure they make good specialized ones but in general they will not have power to pickup eyes at 150y like you want, also keep your call within 10y at night so you can see theit eyes will be pointed towards the sound and if its 100y out then you will not see them because they will be looking the wrobg way, now in the daytime 30 or so yards is a good thing, good luck and dont give up if you dont see anything alot of exspirienced guys go out several times in a row with nothing so just keep at it and you will get one, also just a rule basicly be ready to shoot as soob as you start calling tgey can cone in immeadiatly.

See less See more

Save

1 - 5 of 5 Posts

Top Contributors this Month