A Nice February Coyote and the FLG Predator Rifles
Hunting Coyotes here in Michigan is certainly not easy and the terrain and conditions make for some unique challenges that really set the Midwest apart from other regions. I have learned so much in the last few years about all the little things that go into successfully calling in Coyotes here in Michigan. I want to share these thoughts with everyone while there is still time for everyone to get out and hunt some this season.
I would like to start off by saying that I do not claim to be an expert in the predator hunting field by any means, but through trial and error over many years I am becoming much more experienced. I encourage everyone to get out and try predator hunting. It is a cheap pursuit to get into and is a wonderful cure to midwinter cabin fever.
There are some common elements to hunting coyotes regardless of the region that you are calling. He is a very smart animal that has successfully evolved through the years to be one of the most successful predators in North America. He is very curious and will investigate prey distress sounds as well as barks, howls and serenades of other coyotes. When he is coming to a distress sound he will almost always circle down-wind to allow his incredibly keen sense of smell to verify the sound he is hearing. There are some more common elements to take into account when hunting coyotes but I would like to address the ones that are especially important here in the Midwest.
Terrain
Here in Michigan we don’t have tons of open land like out west where Coyotes can run for miles without encountering humans, houses or roads. The Coyotes here are forced to live among us and have adapted extremely well to doing so. Here the coyote lives in swamps, small woodlots, river bottoms and anywhere he has a little cover and a good source of food. Don’t think that you need to find a big piece of land in order to hunt Coyotes in the Midwest; most of the time I am within view of a house when I call in a Coyote. River systems, CRP fields, swamps, woodlots and state land are some of my favorite places to hunt.
Setting Up
This is a key point here in Michigan especially if you are calling during daylight hours. Keep in mind that everything that is to your advantage setting up is to the disadvantage of the Coyote and he knows when he’s vulnerable. Try to analyze each set to give the Coyote as much of an advantage as possible while still keeping a few advantages in your pocket. First and most importantly you need to be able to see your downwind side and to make sure you have opportunities to shoot at a dog that is circling downwind of your position. I like to set up as close to cover as possible while still giving myself ample shots at any dog that wants to go down wind. Setting up closer to cover allows the Coyote the advantage of staying concealed as he comes to the call. In my experience in the Midwest, a Coyote will do everything possible to avoid running across an open field when responding to a call during daylight. Keep this in mind when setting up and keep your eyes on any cover that the Coyote can try to use as he approaches. Setting up close to cover means that things can happen really fast; so be ready to shoot as soon as you start calling.
Calls
Everyone has a different opinion on calls and how they are used. I don’t think there is one way to call that works every time and you need to be prepared to switch it up a bit. In late January and February you do need to have a howler on your lanyard though just in case. My go-to call is definitely a cottontail distress call and I like to mix up my calling sequences to paint a realistic scenario for any listening ears. I also like to insert pauses into my calling sequences so I’m not calling the whole set. I have found that if you are calling non stop that sometimes the Coyote will pinpoint your position and hang up in cover just out of sight and just listen and never present himself. I do however like to call enough so that I keep his attention and give him my general location so that he comes in to the call looking for the whereabouts of the dying rabbit. If no Coyotes show for the first minute or two, I like to start inserting various howls into the sequence based on the time of year and the situation.
We are right in the middle of the Coyote breeding season right now and things are definitely hot here in Michigan. Grab a couple calls, don your warm winter camo and head out into the snow and give Coyote hunting a shot. I will warn you though that once you call in your first Coyote or Fox you will be hooked for life. If you have any questions about hunting predators here in the Midwest please shoot me and email at opie@firstlightgear.com and I will do my best to answer them.
Good Luck and Shoot Straight,
Opie