Howling coyotes

[foxtrot]

Why is it some nights the coyotes are howling and other nights its silent.Moon phase?Barametric pressure?Dew point?or am I over thinking?

[yote204]

Not sure, some nights the woods are on fire with there howls, in the winter I believe there howling slows a bit

[icecube]

That sounds like the million dollar question. Get the answer and get the million. While archery hunting some nights I hear two, three and sometimes five different packs howling and then for a week nothing. If I could figure it out I be a millionair.....ED

[foxtrot]

Does anyone have a thought on why coyotes are more vocal on certain nights?

[uncle buck]

It does pertain to wind velocity and moon phase....I don't have the paper but remember reading the research paper of someone that did it on coyote howling and coming to the call....I remember they will come to the call and howl if the wind is blowing more then no wind at all... See they use the wind to test the area...The person that did this paper for their doctorate claimed that they will not howl nor come to the call if it's not windy..... In other words Eastern coyote feel safer when their is directional wind or wind... If the wind is not blowing much they will not come to the call..

I think it was saying on dark dark nights too...They howl less and approach the call less too... I  have never kept records on wind or the type of darkness when I have called them in so I can't say if the person who wrote the paper for their doctorate was knowledgeable or not???

I do know that they will protect their areas and by using the correct vocals you can get them to come to you.....Kind of STAY  OFF MY TURFF!!!However many......didn't howl they just show up out of no where!!!!

[foxtrot]

As far as good nights for howling its seems the calmer the better but there are many calm nights you don't hear anything and then like yote204 said some nights things come to life.Even domestic dogs are more vocal on those nights I've noticed.Its does seem like the ones that approach, you never hear they just show up.I'm going to keep some records the next couple of weeks and see what I come up with.

[coyotenightmare]

Is is possible that some family groups (pairs) are more vocal than others? 2 years ago there was a pack close to where I live that would always light up when I howled to them. Needless to say, I don't think there is any left to that pack anymore....but they were great fun. The moon phase/wind didn't seem to make a difference to them. Since the encounters with those coyotes, I haven't heard another pack that is nearly as vocal. They would howl in the middle of the day if you got them worked up....that's what gave their home away and led to their end...

[uncle buck]

I forwarded leglifter the howling and call in research about a year ago. He will know what I'm talking about. The person that did the research was quoting data he got from well known biologist and predator callers. If what he said is true then we should be calling in more coyotes on windy nights and when more of the moon is illuminated. Also if this is true????Then coyotes have instincts that they know will save them from their predators. As you know I do play with their brains and threat them like the mammals we are. What impacts man impacts the Eastern Coyotes. You know how you all give each other the business to get to your friends physique. That what I do when I hunt coyotes.  Give them the business! Anyway if the windy thing and the full moon or the illuminated moon theory is true??We should be hunting coyotes more with coyote vocals on somewhat windy and nights with more illuminated Moon.  As much as I hate to say it!  Full Moon Nights!!! This year I called in my 79th Pa Coyote.  Ah what an accomplishment that would have been if I would have killed my 79th Pa coyote. That was not the case!!!!When I do hunt with other hunters I need to sit them down and tell them this is what you have to do. Biggest mistake is walking in to far on the first stand and illuminating each other. Coyotes are masters of seeing illuminated hunters