First Coyote Stand EVER

[TheBig1]

I am completely new to coyote hunting.  I took the day off of work to make it a 4 day weekend because I couldn't wait to get out there and give it the old GED try.

I got to the mountain at about 1300.  Walked into the woods to an area where I saw my first ever coyote while hunting.  I set my Johnny Stewart ecaller up behind a small bump in the ground and put the decoy about a yard away.

I set up in a brush pile about 30 yards away.  Well, to this point I think everything was done pretty good.  The wind was alright although it was kind of swirling.  I was well camouflaged, at least I believe that I was. 

The problem that I believe I had was the caller.  I only had the 10 calls that came on it and I had no clue what to do.  I hit a few calls for about 2 minutes a piece spacing them out accordingly and then would allow for silence.

I was set up and remained extremely still with my gun to my shoulder while scanning the kill zone.

After about 35 minutes I decided that I'd done everything that I could and called it.

I was thinking about doing some other stands but was just afraid to do so due to the fact that I'm not confident in my calling strategy.  I didn't want to soil any area with bad calling or any other thing that I may do wrong. 

So that pretty much wraps up my first experience with coyote hunting.  I'm still hooked and can't wait to get back out there.  I just need more confidence in my techniques to make me more likely to succeed if given the opportunity.

Chad

[foxhound]

Welcome to the forum!  This time of year (breeding time) coyote vocals are the go to sounds for lots of guys. Prey distress will still work. Just not as effectively as it does in early season. Now, things that sound like other yotes can bring about a response. Either out of curiosity or territorial response. Be mindful of the wind (like you were) and keep your eyes peeled. They often times try to circle down wind to confirm with their nose what their ears are telling them. Be patient and it will happen.

[Predator53]

Brother...just keep at it...run 15 to 30 mins a set and move on....there's no set rules on sets and its not a race...coyotes  pairing up now...and to me their alittle tougher in my area..to call too...ive had better luck the last few weeks with rodent calls,I hunt farms so theres always rodents around...I'll start out as soon as I can to the set....med high  volume on my icotec caller and then bring down lower...and when I see eyes...it stays on too he's in the dirt.So have fun,learn,watch your wind and be safe and don't over think your set ups..and dont be afraid to chang things up.Rusty

[TheBig1]

Thanks fellas, I'll be sure to listen to what you recommend.  It is funny though to think that now is their breeding time.  But I'll definitely be using some more coyote calls.

Not that anyone where said it, but on another forum someone mentioned it.  As far as scouting, I've only ever saw one coyote while hunting and that's the area that I went to today.  It's a big mountain area that I hunt, 7K plus acres.  I'm assuming that they should be all over the mountain.  Plus there's thousands of acres of game lands that we border which is where I saw my first coyote.

I have never seen tracks but that's because of our mild winter so far.  I have several areas that come to mind but is there any area that you can tell me to look for in the mountain, i.e. swamp, cliffs, laurel, etc..., or simply just all of it wherever I want?

[uncle buck]

Kind of hard to scout for Pa coyotes.. they can be in an area one day and then gone for two weeks and return...  This time of the year use deer as your places to hunt... If you see deer in the area in large numbers the coyotes will be there.. Now what is a real good sign is when your driving along the mountain roads.. Like around public lands.. PGL, State Parks, and private lands you have permission on.. If you see deer standing along the roads.. .Good possibility there are coyotes in the fields and the woodlots.. One thing for sure...If you had a siren and you went out at night and let it rip and listen... If the coyotes howl then you know they are there.. Sneak back at before Sunup and call.... Always hunt with the wind in your face or cross wind... I don't walk in deep since the call is tool and you trigger their brain they will come to you...If they do howl.. Give them one solid minute of coyote pup.. then remain silent... I don't care what time of the year it is... This should always be your go to sound.  the KIYI is yet another but that's not on many calling machines.. This time of the year...I have actually given two Howl and the coyotes came in within  20 seconds.. Hence you don't want to walk in to deep on your first stand...Do you have one of those small JS callers that cost about $38.00? What sounds do you have? I stay on stand for 45 min and going through a complete calling scenario that I use...Some of my silent periods are up to  8 min of silence...Good luck...We all payed our dues and you will learn from them.. However just don't go into and area and let your caller rip away...YANK THAT COYOTES CHAIN!!!!!!

[Misterjake23]

Like UB said,  coyotes roam a lot.  The number one rule is .....  They have to be there !!!

[TheBig1]

Buck, I look forward to using your advice on Monday morning.  Although I haven't seen any coyotes in the spot that I'm going to, I know that there's a good amount of deer there. My call has coyote pup and KiYi on it. It's the one that's  $100 I guess but I got it at Dick's for  $50. It's going back on Tuesday anyways, Foxhound is hooking a brother up with a FP Wildfire.  So I can't wait to get that.

Chad