Setup

Hide your vehicle

 

 When road hunting from your vehicle it is essential that you hide your vehicle.  The vehicle can be hidden in a wash, behind a hill, behind trees, in the shade, or using a camo cover.  Make sure the vehicle is not going to be seen by an incoming predator. 

 

I've had many calling sets get messed up because the vehicle was not hidden. One occasion we had hid the vehicle behind the hill but from where the coyote came from it had seen our truck. Because the coyote saw our truck it never came in closer than 500 yards. It was still determined to come in and check it out but was very cautious and made a long way around to wind us.. We were not able to make the shot because it was too far and never would stop. Another time we were hunting as a family group and there were a couple trucks. We had our truck hidden from where we were calling but the other truck in our group was visible from the direction of which the coyote came in. We saw it for 2 seconds as it ran through the wash and made a run for it away from us. The coyotes will still come in if your vehicle is visible but won't give you the time for a shot. They are still really curious creature so they come to check it out and quickly get out.

 

A lot of times you will do everything right and just by nature something has to go wrong. For example you got out of the truck, grabbed your gear, shut the doors quietly and walked up to your stand and started calling. As soon as you start calling the coyotes start howling or warning barking. Its tough to judge what went wrong, They could have smelt you because the wind was twarling or saw you or vehicle approaching. My point is do your best and dont get discouraged if things go wrong thats part of hunting. Hunting is not always killing, its hard work and sometimes we come home with out the harvest. Its the challenge that keeps us hunting, not the success.

 

 

Approaching the Stand

 

One of the reasons it's tough to hunt predators with too many people is the amount of error and mistakes that are made. If errors can be eliminated you'll see more dogs. The approach to your set up is just as important as what you do on stand. The first mistake made is making too much noise at the vehicle. When you turn the vehicle off and open the door you should be in hunting mode. Grab your gear quietly and shut the doors without making noise. I'll add don't lock your keys in the truck, lol!

 

 

Try to avoid talking with your buddy while walking to your stand, if you need to communicate whisper or do hand signaling. Remember coyotes could be very close by. I've had numerous occasions where the coyote was seen immediately after starting to call.

 

Try to approach the stand from an area that would keep you from being seen. If there is cover use the cover to your advantage to avoid being seen walking to your set up.

 

Try to sneak into your calling set. Remember once you step foot out of the vehicle you're hunting and while you're walking to your set up you need to be as quiet as possible, so try not to make too much noise with each step.

 

If you have a hill that you plan on calling do not walk up and over. Anything you can see can see you as well. You're likely to make much more noise walking up and over. It is far better to stay low and walk around the hill. This prevents your silloute from being seen in the skyline. Once you have found the place you want to call, try to stay closer to the base of the hill which will still give you a vantage point. When a coyote comes in, its going to take the path of least resistance, so instead of running to the top of the hill, it will try to make it down wind to pick up on your scent. If you're lower on the hill you'll be that much closer for a shot at the coyote. Now I'm not saying the coyote won't go up hill because they will surely do what it takes to snatch their meal. Im only saying its going to make the path of least resistance to get to your caller. So if you're up high up a hill or mountain, it might not be the best idea because a coyote or predator could easily wind you and get your scent before it needs to make the decision to make the climb. You really need to know the coyotes paths and habitat so you can better hunt them. 

 

 

This coyote I shot on the way to the stand. When your hunting predators it doesn't mean you have to call them in. It simply means you are hunting for them. So hunt the whole time and not just when you're calling.

 

 

Setting Up to Call

 

One of the reasons its important to keep your gear simple and readily accessable is so you don't have to do very much fittling around for it. For one reason it's a distraction from the hunt and it makes too much noise getting in and out of your pack or looking for something you cant find. Keep it simple. When I can see the spot I want to call I visualize the scenerio in my head. I get my stuff ready before I approach the stand. I put my gloves, face mask and ear muffs on. I'm all ready to be set up for when I approach the stand. This prevents excess movement and noise on the calling location. The time it takes people to get set up to call should be spent sitting down and letting things calm down. Coyotes can since danger just by other animals and noises they make. If you let the area calm down it will allow for the area to go back to normal as if undisturbed.

 

 

Its critical that you make the right set. I used to think, from lack of experience, that once you call something in, its a done deal. This is not the case. I've had many coyotes come in and many get away. Having the right set up can give you better odds of killing a coyote.



 

What you want to look for is some visability. Pay attention to any open lanes because when a coyote comes into the call, it will want to first try and get a look at you. Its likely the incoming predator is going to come from anywhere you have not yet disturbed. Its also likely the critter won't come from down wind, although I have seen it happen. I can pretty much guess from which direction a coyote will come in and this comes with experience. Try to visualize if you were a predator coming in for a rabbit or hurt animal, how would you approach. It really helps because it makes a difference in your set up.

 

Some other important ways to set up are keeping the sun out of your eyes or at your back, along with making sure the wind is right. Another important part of setting up is making sure to cover up your silhouette. You can do this by putting yourself in the shade or backed up to a boulder on a hill. If there is no shade the best way to cover up is have a bush or tree to sit against. Dont sit 2 or 3 feet away. Its better to be right next to the bush touching it, so you become an extension to the bush.

Once you're situated and comfortable to call, before you call always check and make sure the safety is off. I've had some easy shots where I should've had a coyote but didn't because I missed my window for the shot.

I like to have my gun up and ready that way I can prevent any movement to position for a shot. So before I start calling I get my gun and shooting sticks situated.