Coyote hunting is an excellent way to add new material to your hunting skillset while also extending your hunting season by adding a new animal to your list.
Here’s a preview of what we’ll talk about in this essential guide to coyote hunting:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
How to Hunt Coyotes
Where to Find Coyotes
How to Call Coyotes
Coyote Hunting Gear and Accessories
Coyote Hunting Gun
Hunting Coyotes with a Suppressor
Coyote Hunting FAQs
Gear Up for Your Coyote Hunt
HOW TO HUNT COYOTES
Coyotes are smart; they have to be. They know their surroundings, have excellent eyes and ears, are easily adaptable, and they’re fast. All of this adds up to one unwavering truth: hunting coyotes can be challenging.
WHERE TO FIND COYOTES
Coyotes are pretty much everywhere, to the detriment of rural farmers and suburban pet owners alike. Here are some of the places you can find them:
ROLLING PLAINS
Rolling plains are classic coyote country. Populations tend to be high, but it also means that the coyotes can see you, too. Make sure you bring your best stealth mode to a hunt in the rolling plains.
FARMLAND
Farmland coyotes tend to know their environments really well. Woodlots, crop rows, and river bottoms are all great coyote habitats, but they offer unique challenges to hunters, often requiring you to optimize and/or change your setup for each location.
HEAVILY WOODED AREAS
Coyotes’ dens are in the wooded areas, so take to the field before your hunt and scout areas just before dawn, when they’re most likely to be near “home.” Spend some time walking around looking for tracks to find their “highways.” Go out at night and listen to where their calls are coming from.
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Of course, discharging a firearm in a neighborhood is prohibited in most places, so don’t do anything illegal! Instead, approach landowners on the edge of town. Explain the benefits of killing coyotes on their land to both them and you. Also mention that you’ll hunt with a suppressor (hint hint) to keep the noise intrusion to a minimum.
HOW TO CALL COYOTES
Coyotes are talkative animals, so one of the best ways to hunt them is by using a call. You can get mouth calls that mimic other coyotes, bringing them in to defend their turf or in hopes of mating. You can use other small game mouth calls that appeal to their stomachs and the desire for an easy meal.
Electronic calls are good for versatility. You can get many (if not all) of your preferred mouth calls in an electronic format bundled into one unit. This way, you’re not lugging a bunch of different individual calls into the field with you.
COYOTE HUNTING GEAR AND ACCESSORIES
Make sure to have this equipment at the ready before you start your hunt:
GUN
There’s really no wrong answer here. The most appropriate coyote hunting rifle is the one you feel most comfortable and confident with so that when the time comes, you can make your shot count.
Of course, you can also hunt coyotes with a shotgun. Like the rifle, there’s really no wrong answer when it comes to choosing the kind of shotgun. Pick the shotgun you like best.
SUPPRESSOR
Coyotes are very vocal creatures, and part of the thrill of the hunt is hearing them.
We might be a little bit biased, but the BANISH 223 is a great option to use on your coyote hunting rifle. With a sound reduction of 38 decibels, the reduced report provided by the BANISH 223’s expansion tube and seven baffles will not only protect your hearing but also the hearing of anyone shooting around you, and it will help keep the sound from spooking other animals.
Plus, this 7” suppressor weighs a mere 9 ounces so that it won’t add much extra weight to your kit. Of course, you might find that you prefer some other rifle suppressor. If you do, that’s perfectly fine. The most important thing is that you’re happy with the suppressor that you decide to purchase.
If you decide to hunt with a shotgun, it’s still a good idea to use a suppressor. In this instance, your options are much more limited than with a rifle suppressor. The Salvo 12 from SilencerCo is the only option on the market, but it’s a great product.
Whichever option you choose, we’re happy to help you navigate the suppressor purchase of your choice and then ship it right to your door upon ATF approval.
CALLS
Mouth calls are generally more cost-effective, but an electronic call is often more convenient. At the end of the day, it’s something that you’ll need to experiment with until you get a feel for it. Experience is the best teacher in all aspects of hunting, and coyote calling is no exception. Try some things out, identify patterns that are working and adjust your strategy each time you go out into the field.
THERMAL OR NIGHT VISION EQUIPMENT
It has become increasingly popular to hunt coyotes after dark. They’re clever creatures, so to level the playing field, you’ll want to employ thermal imaging or night vision equipment for best results.
COYOTE HUNTING FAQS
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Here are some of the most common questions people have about coyote hunting:
WHAT’S THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO HUNT COYOTES?
Coyotes are nocturnal, so dawn and dusk are your best times of day to find them active if you prefer to hunt during the day. Of course, to maximize your opportunities, it’s recommended that you give night hunting a try.
CAN YOU HUNT COYOTES ANY TIME OF YEAR?
Coyotes can be hunted almost any time of the year in the United States, but the best seasons are in the fall and winter. Be sure to check with your state’s laws for any specific seasonal restrictions.
WHERE SHOULD YOU TRY TO SHOOT A COYOTE?
A coyote’s heart and lungs are tucked behind its shoulder, which is a bit more forward than what you’d find on a deer. If you’re a bit unsure of exactly where to aim, follow their front leg up to their body and take your shot.
WHAT CALIBER SHOULD YOU USE FOR COYOTE HUNTING?
If you choose to hunt coyotes with a shotgun, your best bet is a 12 gauge shell loaded with No. 4 shot.
If you choose to hunt coyotes with a rifle, there are a number of good caliber choices. Calibers like .243, .270, and .223/5.56 are all good choices.
SHOULD YOU USE A RIFLE OR A SHOTGUN?
Coyotes can be hunted at any distance. If your preference is to challenge yourself with long-range precision shots, then you should use a rifle. If your preference is to call them in close and challenge yourself to not give away your position at a range of 50 yards or so, then you should use a shotgun.
GEAR UP FOR YOUR COYOTE HUNT
In our opinion, the only constant to all of your hunts (other than safety), should be a suppressor. We’re here to make your buying process as easy and cost-effective as possible. We offer a free NFA gun trusts, free shipping, Barrel threading Service, and a no-interest e-Z Pay Plan.
With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, Silencer Central is the nation’s largest silencer dealer. We’re also the only one licensed in all 42 suppressor-legal states that will ship directly to your door once approved. Our experts are ready to help you now!
