Coyote hunting season is one of many hunters’ favorite times of the year. Starting in October and lasting through the spring, many who live in the Midwest and Western states of the United States, as well as many countries in Europe, relish the challenge of pursuing these wild dogs. Many others however view coyotes as varmints and hunt them only to preserve their livelihoods and their cattle or sheep. Still other hunters prize the animals’ furry pelts. There are some states, such as South Dakota, that permit licensed varmint hunting year round, while other states have specific hunting seasons.  It is critical that the hunter be well versed in the regulations of the state where the hunt is taking place.

The prime coyote hunting months in most areas are the months of December, January, and February.  The heavy snowfall experienced in many of the coyote’s habitats is a boon to hunters, making the animals highly visible against the stark white background.  The dogs’ pelts are also in prime condition during the cold weather months. Add to this the fact that breeding season begins in January and extends until mid to late February and the winter is perfect varmint hunting time.  It also helps that the animals are a wee bit distracted when females are in heat and this helps the hunter chase this normally wary creature.

Finding the best area to place the stand is a challenge for hunters. If the hunter can locate the coyotes’ den areas then it is a no-brainer to locate the stand in close proximity. Since coyotes are opportunistic predators, they love to hang out around barns, pastures and any other areas where there are herds of livestock available for the sampling.  Securing the permission of a ranch owner or farmer to hunt on their land can be a real advantage when chasing coyotes.  All hunters who enjoy the sport know not to hunt on any privately held land without the owner’s permission. Not only can the trespasser be arrested, but he may also be subject to the sound of shotgun fire if found on someone else’s land.

Learning and using calls is key to coyote hunting success.  There are a couple of types of calls used in the sport.  The first is known as a locator, a call that mimics the howl of the dogs and determines if they are in the area. In addition to the howling sound, these calls can mimic the coyotes’ yelps and yips. The second call is one that imitates the sound of another animal in distress and leads the varmints to believe that an easy supper may be in the making. The sound of a wounded rabbit is one of the favorite coyote calls. These different calls are not easy to master, but a little bit of time spent studying a few good coyote hunting videos will really help the beginner.

The choice of preferred gun for the hunter is as varied as the hunters themselves.  The pursuit of wild dogs can involve both long range and close range shooting and for this reason, many hunters prefer a gun that is a combination of shotgun and rifle.  One weapon worth consideration is the Savage 24F.

Coyote hunting is done for many reasons. Whether for pelts, livestock protection, or simply sport, it is a favorite of many hunters as it has been for many, many years.