Where would you go predator hunting if you were me...?

tawood

New member
Hi All,
I'm a long time Michigan predator hunter (fox, coyote, bobcat--although I've never gotten the latter), who is ready to expand my hunts a bit. A little about me: I'm very fortunate to have a job/business that pays really well, a job/business that gives me lots of time off, a pilot's license, and my own airplane. I've never predator hunted (or actually hunted anything) outside of Michigan, but I've decided its about time I do!
I've taken a week off the second week of January, and I'm looking to hop in my plane, and head west for some coyote (or?) hunting. I really only have a couple of limitations:
1) I'd like to hunt somewhere within a single day, during daylight, flight time away. From my home in Michigan, that would put me as far west as anywhere in ND, SD, NE, or most of KS, or southwest to AR.
2) I need to land at cities with rental car companies. This might not sound like a big deal, but my initial research shows this is a much bigger deal than I had originally anticipated. For example, only 4 cities in SD have reliable rental car places, 3 in KS, and only 2 in NE. I say "reliable" because of my third limitation which follows.
3) Because I'm flying a plane, and not an airliner, in the winter, weather can sometimes be a significant factor. I can always flex my days off, so that would mean flexing my rental car days (which shouldn't be a huge deal), but also means flexing my hunting days. This will probably force me to public accessible land, as trying to arrange hunting dates on private land/or guided hunts on a flexible schedule would be nearly impossible.

So, given the above, where would you go? Right now, I'm leaning towards South Dakota for only one reason: I've been there a few times in the summer, and I know my way around a little. But, if the hunting were much better somewhere else, I'm open to suggestions, and I wouldn't mind a new adventure. Not to mention, I'll probably take another week off in February and do it again, but to somewhere else. Thanks to all in advance...
Tim
 
I'd head for AZ or southern NM fly into Phoenix or El Paso and you can be hunting in an hour. Great break from Jan in MI.

When we had the convention s in Las Cruces and Tucson I had alot of fun hunting there. So much so we moved here.
 
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Even Vegas would work I took my nephew out south of the city and he killed his first coyote there. You could hunt southern NV and northern AZ. I'll be hunting out of Kingman in February.
 
NM, NV, AZ? That's two full days of flying in my plane...and that's too much flying for a week off. The beauty of my own plane is I go when/where I want on no schedule. Not to mention, I hate flying commercial, especially these days, then put "flying with guns" on top of that? No thanks.
 
You might want to check with a local car dealership. When I worked construction we would rent job site trucks from local dealerships.
 
Heymartay, thanks for the kind word. I only hunt the Central and Eastern part of the state, and there is better hunting the further West you go. I am a product specialist with Night Goggles and focus on thermal technology. The videos you see at the Night Goggles YouTube Channel are mostly mine.

Coyote hunting in January in ND (especially for the first time) is not for the faint of heart. I hunted multiple times at under -25°F last year during January. Wind + Temps + Snow will make it tough. If there is a lot of snow, you aren't getting too many places as only main roads get cleared. If you get stranded, you better know someone close by.

SD is a little better as it does get warmer, the further South but still pretty brutal. I don't know how much public land is available in SD.

If hunting either ND or SD, I would probably recommend a trip during the fall months (at least in ND, the night hunting season doesn't start until after our deer-gun season closes) and try to establish a kind of home area. I would find some areas to hunt with some public land and then meet some local ranchers and establish some relationships, etc.

If you truly want a blind hunt, I would try to find a state where you feel comfortable if you had some type of issue while hunting such as your vehicle won't start or you get stuck, it wouldn't be life-threatening and has a lot of public land access.

 
Thanks for the info Kirsch...
Well, the beauty of what I plan to do is, I can pick a more southern state if it would be too brutal going north, weather wise.
Nebraska, Kansas, Arkansas are all on my list. I've just never been to any of these before, so I'm looking for a little local guidance to help point my way.
 
You will need a predator license in SD. NB,ND to I think, or small game?. Wy,Mt no lic. KS? I make a run or 2 in Jan to NE SD. Is there an airport on you list there? Usually more fun, successful hunting with someone.
 
Originally Posted By: spotstalkshootYou will need a predator license in SD. NB,ND to I think, or small game?. Wy,Mt no lic. KS? I make a run or 2 in Jan to NE SD. Is there an airport on you list there? Usually more fun, successful hunting with someone.
Rapid City, Pierre, Aberdeen, and Sioux Falls are the only airports with car rentals.
 
Just thinking, how much runway does your plane require for a grass field landing and take off, I might have a idea that would work if you are not wanting to hunt solo. thanks Jim
 
Originally Posted By: hydehunterJust thinking, how much runway does your plane require for a grass field landing and take off, I might have a idea that would work if you are not wanting to hunt solo. thanks Jim
2000 feet, but in winter grass runways are a bad idea.
 
Originally Posted By: wickaWhat is your hunting rig set up if you don't mind?
thanks
Sorry, just saw this…
I’m a daylight hunter (here in Michigan it’s shotguns only at night). I use a bull-barreled Stag Arms .223, an electric call, a couple of mouth calls for howling and mouse, and a “wiggle rabbit”. Oh, and a ghillie suit.
 
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