“Did you hear that?” I asked my elk hunting partner Levi. The “that” in question were coyotes howling in the distance. Armed with our Mathews bows we were already challenged to the max trying to put an arrow in an elk. Trying to call in a coyote and pierce it with an arrow was than we wanted to challenge ourselves for the day. Nevertheless, I marked that location in my mind and my ScoutLook Weather hunting app. As the elk hunt progressed it was apparent the parcel of Montana real estate we were hunting had an infestation of the native canines.
This blog isn’t to brag about the great coyote hunting in my future (my dream anyway). Instead, it is to drop a hint. Keep an open ear as you travel on different hunts from region to region and state to state.
Most hunters enjoy a medley of hunting during the traditional fall seasons. Deer hunting is the number one pursuit of hunters with approximately 11 million hitting the woods every fall. Still, many enjoy a weekend of waterfowl hunting, upland bird hunting, small game hunting and of course predator hunting added into the mix. This puts you in a variety of environments and those different locales may also hold coyotes — lots of coyotes.
Here are a few hunting locations you may want to keep in mind as you pursue wild game on various hunts.
1. Wetlands
Wetlands attract migrating ducks and geese. When you think about wetlands you envision wet lands. That’s true, but most marshes, sloughs and swamps also have high ground that remains dry all year long. These dry stretches give other animals habitat for cover, food and travel corridors. Big game to the smallest rodents seek these areas out and it just makes sense that coyotes will also seek out the sanctuaries that wetlands can provide. If you want to find new public hunting and possibly a new coyote condo look into the vast system of America’s National Wildlife Refuges. You’ll discover some other great hunting opportunities and possibly coyotes for a later rendezvous.
2. Upland areas
Upland areas are a no-brainer for coyote hunting. Coyotes love vast stretches of grass cover for pursuing rodents and while you’re in pursuit of pheasants, grouse, or quail you can listen for a distant coyote to give away its position. A perfect public opportunity expanding across many mid-nation states are walk-in hunting areas. States like South Dakota, Kansas, Colorado and others have walk-in hunting properties that offer public hunting on leased private grounds. Listen as you get ready for your next flush.
3. Areas with vast timber
Lastly, as you pursue big game, like I did on a recent elk hunt, keep an ear open. America’s vast reserve of timber contained in the National Forest Service system gives you ample room to roam. Elk, deer, turkey and other forest-dwelling critters provide fall pursuits, but keep an eye and ear tuned for coyote clues.
As soon as I wrap up some future deer hunts it’s a guarantee I’ll be back to my elk hunting location with my Bergara rifle in hand. I found that location with my ears wide open!
