Handling coyotes Part I.
The ability to handle coyotes properly on a calling stand is one of the most important elements to your success. Experience really pays off when handling coyotes. Coyotes can be very unpredictable at times in how they approach and react at a calling stand. You should always attempt to anticipate their next move. Multiple coyotes can add to the challenge. Here are some rules of thumb that I use to try to optimize my success.
1. Once coyotes are spotted, I prefer less calling and less volume.
**I use handcalls, advice for electronic calls may differ.**
- When using hand calls, less volume and less calling makes you less detectable and is more intriguing to their curiousity.
- It also allows you time to move into shooting position.
- As long as they are coming, don't call! Your continual calling will usually just make them stop and get a better fix on you.
- If they stop, coax them with hand squeaks and squeakers.
- Always check around for additional coyotes to get in the game mentally and to calm yourself.
- Remain calm and use your head.
2. Moving into shooting position
- when you first sit down, you should always point your rifle towards the closest place that you anticipate them to come from. It's harder to swing your rifle towards a coyote standing 30' away from you than it is to move it towards a coyote that is coming in at 300 yards. Always point your rifle towards the closest blind spot so they don't bust you when you try to swing over to them.
- Slowly move into shooting position when they are moving or when they are out of sight.
- If you need to move into shooting position when they are close and standing, move slowly and deliberate.
- You can get away with quite a bit of movement at times if your movements are slow and steady.
- Coyotes have more confidence in what they see while standing then while running.
- Try to avoid direct eye contact if they are close. Look at them through your periphial (sp?) vision until you are ready to shoot.
- Check for stability in your rest and for tall vegetation in the path of the shot.
- Many game animals have what I call a "confidence zone". Their reaction when they are really close is not like their reaction when they are 100 yards away. I call it disbelief. You can't believe what you can get away with because of this "confidence zone".
To be continued.......Wiley E
[This message has been edited by Wiley E (edited 04-22-2001).]
The ability to handle coyotes properly on a calling stand is one of the most important elements to your success. Experience really pays off when handling coyotes. Coyotes can be very unpredictable at times in how they approach and react at a calling stand. You should always attempt to anticipate their next move. Multiple coyotes can add to the challenge. Here are some rules of thumb that I use to try to optimize my success.
1. Once coyotes are spotted, I prefer less calling and less volume.
**I use handcalls, advice for electronic calls may differ.**
- When using hand calls, less volume and less calling makes you less detectable and is more intriguing to their curiousity.
- It also allows you time to move into shooting position.
- As long as they are coming, don't call! Your continual calling will usually just make them stop and get a better fix on you.
- If they stop, coax them with hand squeaks and squeakers.
- Always check around for additional coyotes to get in the game mentally and to calm yourself.
- Remain calm and use your head.
2. Moving into shooting position
- when you first sit down, you should always point your rifle towards the closest place that you anticipate them to come from. It's harder to swing your rifle towards a coyote standing 30' away from you than it is to move it towards a coyote that is coming in at 300 yards. Always point your rifle towards the closest blind spot so they don't bust you when you try to swing over to them.
- Slowly move into shooting position when they are moving or when they are out of sight.
- If you need to move into shooting position when they are close and standing, move slowly and deliberate.
- You can get away with quite a bit of movement at times if your movements are slow and steady.
- Coyotes have more confidence in what they see while standing then while running.
- Try to avoid direct eye contact if they are close. Look at them through your periphial (sp?) vision until you are ready to shoot.
- Check for stability in your rest and for tall vegetation in the path of the shot.
- Many game animals have what I call a "confidence zone". Their reaction when they are really close is not like their reaction when they are 100 yards away. I call it disbelief. You can't believe what you can get away with because of this "confidence zone".
To be continued.......Wiley E
[This message has been edited by Wiley E (edited 04-22-2001).]