Just Starting

[snipehunter]

hello i`m going to go on my first coyote hunt this february and i need to ask a couple of questions what is the best bait to use i live in central pa. and the area is mostly farmland with pine and redbrush areas and being that i have nevered called them before i`m going to get a tape caller any suggestions any help in this matter will be greatly helpfull thanks in advance.

[coycaller]

Snipe, You need no bait if you are calling them in. If you have a caller you just need some tapes like a cottontail distress, yellow hammer, fawn bleat ect. Or do like I do and go with couple mouth calls and save all the packing. Main thing get out there and make like something hurting and the coyotes will come.

[yote243]

Snipehunter,Coycaller has given you some very good advice.Here in the northeast coyotes are very hard to call in so my advice to you is to start simple with a couple of rabbit mouth calls ,a good lite hunting rifle and some camo from head to toe and get out there and have fun but keep it simple and dont go hogg wild buying things that you think you need to kill coyote just use the basics to get started.Also if you think you need a E caller go to the calling forum and look under the post for homemade digital caller ,there is a link there that will tell you how to make your own E caller . I built one for under 20.00 ,I already had a casset deck and a power horn speaker.This caller is simple to make and works very good.As fare as tapes for this caller both Lohman and Johnny Stewart make a coyote callingkit that has 4or6 tapes in it for calling coyotes for around 30.00.I hope this info helps get you started.have fun your friend yote243

['da law]

Hey Snipe,

Coy and yote both gave you some OUTSTANDIN' advice, keep it simple and make like somethin' hurtin'. If the 'yotes in your area haven't been called a lot, you should have some decent huntin'. Around my home in southern KY, they have been called to death and run ragged, most of 'em can tell you what call your usin'! ((mad When they get "call shy" I switch up on 'em. I'll switch up and use a grey fox pup in distress, it's somethin' that a lot of hunters don't/haven't used in these parts. As a bonus, it'll get the attention of a big grey also! Main thing, get out there and have fun! Good Luck to ya' and keep us posted!

'da law

[Coydog]

To all you vetran 'predator eradicators':

I, like snipe, am a relative "newbie" when it comes to really 'predator hunting'. As stated in a previous post, thus far I have just managed to be in the 'right place at the right time' in taking the coyotes/etc. that I have taken. Actively pursuing them is another story!

I noticed that some advised against decoying. Just curious as to why (i.e. negative reactions from predators, just that much more to carry, etc.!)?! I have a couple of the pelts that I have taken was thinking of using these as a decoy (placing it over a bush/branch, etc). They are easily carried in a fannypack/rucksack, and with something as simple as a piece of fishing line, you can give it a little movement! Just want to get everyones opinion on this tactic.

The only reason that I think a decoy might be advantageous (besides experience decoying whitetails!) was an experience a couple of years ago while turkey hunting. I had a a nice turkey set-up with two jakes & a hen, along an old fireroad. I had a couple of subordinate toms working in but still about 50 yards out and was concentrating on them, when ALL OF A SUDDEN a dang coyote comes flying in and tries to run off with my hen decoy! Luckily I had it staked down pretty good in a breeding position...scared the crap out of me for a second, and REALLY scared the crap out of it once it realized it's error! It was just lucky that I was bowhunting...otherwise it would have had an arse full of turkey shot as it treid to vacate the area!!! [cont]

[Mossyhorns]

I think using a decoy would benifit the calling.Sometimes i have yotes hang up and not want to commit to charging in.Where the decoy could trick them into thinking there is an easy meal sitting out there.And when they do come in they are focused on the decoy and not your slight movements.I did get the fawn decoy and bleat to try out this year.I have also used a rabbit hide,with snow pack inside.

If your going to bait for them.Dont plan on hunting the baited area right away.They wont touch it for a couple of days till the human scent disapates.And i found it best to wire a carcess to a fence or tree,something to keep them from dragging it off.That way they have to return to that spot to feed.