How To Coyote Hunt During The Day

How to Coyote Hunt During the Day: A Comprehensive Guide

Coyotes are cunning creatures, and daytime hunting presents unique challenges compared to nighttime hunts. Their heightened awareness during daylight hours demands a different approach, focusing on stealth, strategic positioning, and understanding their daily behavior. This guide will provide you with the knowledge and techniques to successfully hunt coyotes during the day.

Understanding Coyote Behavior During the Day

Before we delve into hunting strategies, it's crucial to understand how coyotes behave during daylight hours. Unlike their nocturnal habits, daytime activity is often dictated by several factors:

Food Sources:

• Early Morning & Late Afternoon: These periods often see increased activity as coyotes search for food, particularly rodents and rabbits. This makes these times prime hunting opportunities.
• Midday: During the hottest parts of the day, coyotes tend to seek shade and rest, reducing their activity levels.

Terrain & Cover:

• Open Areas: While coyotes are opportunistic, they prefer areas offering good cover, such as brushy fields, grasslands with scattered trees, and rocky terrain. Avoid open fields unless you have excellent concealment.
• Water Sources: Water sources are crucial, and coyotes will often patrol near streams, rivers, or ponds, making these areas strategic hunting locations.

Essential Gear for Daytime Coyote Hunting

Proper equipment significantly increases your chances of success. Here's a checklist:

• High-Quality Rifle or Shotgun: Choose a firearm suitable for your hunting environment and capable of delivering a clean, ethical kill at longer ranges.
• Optics: A spotting scope is essential for locating coyotes from a distance, while binoculars allow for closer observation and identification. A good scope on your rifle is also crucial for accurate shots.
• Calls: Electronic coyote calls can be highly effective during the day, mimicking the distress calls of rabbits or other prey animals. Practice using different calls to determine which is most effective in your area.
• Camouflage Clothing: Blend in with your surroundings to avoid detection. Earth tones are ideal for most terrains.
• Scent Control: Coyotes have an excellent sense of smell, so using scent-eliminating sprays and washing your clothing with unscented detergent is essential.
• Comfortable Boots: You'll likely be doing a fair amount of walking, so comfortable, supportive boots are crucial.

Effective Daytime Coyote Hunting Strategies

Several strategies can significantly improve your success rate:

Stand Hunting:

• Strategic Location: Choose locations near known coyote trails, water sources, or areas with abundant prey. Utilize natural cover to your advantage.
• Patience: Be patient. Coyotes are cautious, and it might take time for one to appear.
• Call Placement: Position yourself downwind of your calling location to avoid alerting the coyote to your presence.

Still Hunting:

• Slow and Deliberate Movement: Move slowly and cautiously, scanning your surroundings constantly.
• Use of Cover: Use natural cover such as trees, rocks, and brush to conceal your movements.
• Wind Direction: Always hunt with the wind at your back to mask your scent.

Utilizing Electronic Calls:

• Varying Calls: Experiment with different calls to determine which is most effective.
• Call Placement: Place your calls strategically to draw coyotes from a distance.
• Call Timing: Focus on early morning and late afternoon, when coyote activity is often highest.

Safety First: Ethical and Responsible Coyote Hunting

Remember that safety and ethical hunting practices are paramount:

• Identify Your Target: Ensure you have a clear shot and accurately identify your target before firing. Avoid shooting at anything you cannot positively identify.
• Shot Placement: Aim for a vital area to ensure a quick and humane kill.
• Respect Private Property: Obtain permission before hunting on private land.
• Follow Local Regulations: Be aware of and adhere to all local hunting regulations and licensing requirements.

By understanding coyote behavior, employing effective strategies, and prioritizing safety, you significantly increase your chances of a successful daytime coyote hunt. Remember that patience and persistence are key!