Techniques For Shooting Predators

Shooting Multiple Coyotes on Stand

 

 

When 2 or more dogs come into your stand you've got to be ready and know what you're doing. Its not easy to shoot a double or triple.

 

The first double I ever shot I was locked in on the closest coyote. I had my crosshairs right on its chest and it was walking straight in. I just new I was going to drop this coyote. I love it when they walk straight in. Its as if the coyote is marching in with confidence like they are about to sit down to a nice meal. Just as I'm about to shoot, it turns to the right in the direction to catch my wind. It was only 30 yards away so I didn't want to move and take a chance of spooking it.  At the same time their is another coyote standing 80 yards away and my gun is directly in line for a perfect shot so I aim and fire. The coyote drops. Because I shot the trailing coyote, which I would assume is the less dominate coyote, I was able to have less distance between me and the second coyote. After I shot I rechambered and blew on the call real loud and was able to stop it for a 60 yard shot. If I had taken the closest coyote at 30 yards, and stopped the further coyote after my first shot, than chances are I would have had a further shot to take at the trailing coyote.

 
My first double. Yeah I was pretty dang proud of myself.



Coming to the Call



 





 When a dog is coming in let it come. Sure if you're a professional sniper and would prefer taking longer shots than by all means do so. If you would like to have a nice comfortable shot than relax and be patient. Let the coyote make the mistake. Don't always feel like you have to rush a shot. Coyotes are a curious animal they are going to want to see whats happening, they want a closer look. When I see a coyote I usually stop calling. If I need to I will do some coaxing to bring it in the rest of the way but if the coyote is coming in, I let it come.

 

Im doing the calling and shooting and my wife is doing the videoing. She did a great job. I made the mistake of not having her set up on the tripod because the muzzle blast knocked her off focus.

 

Stopping a Coyote

 

A moving target is a more difficult shot than a still target. This is why I always prefer the still shot but unfortunately the opportunity is not always available. Sometimes they just won't stop for a shot. The trick is how to get a coyote to stop for a shot.

 

The first thing I do when I see a coyote is stop calling and let them search for me. I prefer the coyote to come in searching because they have to look and pause or even stop to see where the dying rabbit  is. If you over call or keep calling while they're coming in, they pin point you and look in the area but when they don't see the dying rabbit, they'll just keep running on by and try to get your scent.

 

You really need to study and learn the coyotes behavior and body language. The more experience hunting predators the more you will be able to predict what they will do. I also like watching hunting videos for that reason because there is so much to be learned by watching more hunts.

 

So to stop a coyote I will lip squeak, the same as if you give your women a kiss! A different sound such as the lip squeak will kind of throw them off. Its a new sound and not the sound they heard when they first responded to your calls. By lip squeaking they may stop dead in their tracks or it may take a little persistence.

 

If you can tell that the coyote is not looking like its going to stop from the lip squeak then make a louder bark or howl with your mouth. This will make them puzzled because now they are going to be looking for a dog or coyote. Its almost as if the noise that you are making to stop them, is startling them because they will often stop dead in their tracks

 

If a coyote runs on past and is still going to the down wind side of your call or they are spooking as if moving out, then be patient coyotes always look back and check up. If you shoot them on the move you could miss the opportunity for when they stop. What's important is that the shot you make is what's most comfortable. So if the moving target feels good and you're steady than take the shot but always keep in mind that the coyote is likely to stop and look back. Ive had many occasion where a coyote spooked and ran off and I was able to get it stopped at a further distance for a nice still shot.

 

If a coyote was shot and you're trying to stop the other coyote for a shot at it as well then you need to make a really sharp loud noise. The same goes for trying to stop a coyote you missed and you are looking at getting a redemption shot. Getting back on the distress call and blasting it as loud as possible can really get their attention. The best thing to do in this situation is do the coyote in distress sounds on the hand call or fox pro, I've had great success with this call.

 

Shotgun

 

 Shotgun is a great tool to have while out hunting predators especially when they come in close. I've dozens of dozens of times when I never got an opportunity for shot because I couldn't get the coyote to stop. Shotgun gives the shooter an advantage on moving targets. Also a shotgun can be better for close range than a rifle because with a rifle your scope and barrel do not match up with bullet until it gets a little further out where it meets the line of sight. So in this case for close range shots your bullet will hit low and you'll either miss or hit the legs of your target. Shotgun does not have this problem because it's made for close range.

 

Make sure that you are using the right load. I've had some coyotes get away because they don't get double lung shot. I hit a coyote with my shotgun at 40 yards. I hit it right in the shoulder, it got knocked down hard and got back up, did the spin and ran off. I followed blood for over 200 yards and never did find it. Most will say use buck 4 shot but that is because its great on pelts. I am more concerned with putting the coyote down. I have learned the hard way and am convinced on using 00 buck.  Any bb that hits will do damage and have more penetration. A double 00 buck will be a better choice for double lunging a coyote. My point of aim is neck and head. I prefer to put them down dead in their tracks. If you aim for the neck your bbs are likely to spread to chest and head. If I have a coyote 30 yards or closer I might aim for the chest because at that distance your bbs will penetrate deeper and have a better impact. I have found that I get a larger amount of the bbs in the animal, and seem to always hit the lungs if not the heart. When a coyote is running broadside, I aim directly at the head. If a coyote gets spooked and is running away, I aim between the ears hoping to get some shot into the back of the neck.