Strap in folks, we’re going coyote hunting after dark – the ultimate game of hide and seek. As a newbie night hunter myself, I’ll pass along everything I’ve learned about this thrilling challenge. When that sun goes down, the hunt amps up to a whole new level. Your senses sharpen in the darkness. The spotlight beams across the field, searching for gleaming eyes. Your rifle scope quietly scans the shadows. The coyote caller whines into the night air. Adrenaline pumps through your veins. Let’s do this!
Night hunting is done with spotlights, thermal scopes, or night vision scopes. Without daylight it’s tough to estimate distance, so know your max shooting range. Watch for coyotes approaching from downwind. Keep the wind in your face. This is the stealth game of a lifetime! The “no-light” method uses night vision or thermal scopes. Simply scan constantly with your rifle scope while calling. No fumbling with lights. This is easier and more productive – wary coyotes hate lights. A basic call and night vision scope is all you need to start.
The view is more restricted than binoculars, so scanning takes practice. And safety first – keep your finger off the trigger while scanning! But night vision and thermal let you zero in on heat signatures in pitch blackness. How freakin’ cool is that?
Silence is Golden
The number one tip for night hunting is shutting your trap. Seriously, no talking or unnecessary noise. Sound travels farther in the dark with less ambient noise. Dry leaves, noisy clothes, plastic wrappers – all give you away.Think your hunt hasn’t started yet? Wrong! From the moment you park, you’re in hunter mode.No slamming doors or careless tromping around. Even your watch ticking on your rifle barrel can spook coyotes. Soft, stealthy movements only!
Camo Not Required
You don’t really need camo at night since darkness is your concealment. Avoid light or bright colors. Stick to dark earth tones and you’ll blend right in. A basic black hoodie does the trick for most hunters.
In really light terrain like the desert, camo helps since the moonlight magnifies your outline.During a bright moon phase, camo up. And limit movement – it also stands out at night and makes noise! Statue-still is the goal.
Coyotes Materialize from Nowhere!
Coyotes are speedy little buggers. They quickly cover ground in short bursts towards your calls.Their small size lets them disappear in grass and brush in the blink of an eye.One second a field looks empty. The next – BAM – a coyote materializes out of nowhere right in front of you! Constantly scan fences, woods, ditches – anywhere they can hide and approach from. Stay alert to their sudden appearances!
Ambush Mastery
Coyotes usually come from two spots: downwind, or the closest cover. Set up with the nearest cover downwind, and that’s likely their approach.Their instinct is to circle downwind, to sniff out the area first. Don’t walk to your stand from downwind – save that path for the coyotes! Access your spot from upwind instead, leaving no scent trail for wary coyotes to detect. Shrewd wind management is key!
Calling in the Night
Lots of debate around the best calling techniques. But coyotes seem more eager to respond after dark, so don’t stress. I start quietly with squeaks, in case anything’s already nearby.If that doesn’t work after a few minutes, I hit the distressed rabbit call hard for 15 seconds – high to low screams like a dying bunny. Pause briefly, then repeat. Keep your energy up while calling, but take breaks to re-scan the area.You can call too much! Short, urgent sequences are realistic. No real dying animal shrieks nonstop for half an hour. Make it believable, like a rabbit’s last few desperate squeals before becoming dinner.
Many incoming coyotes hope to steal a fresh kill from another predator. Or scavenge leftovers. They recognize an easy meal when they hear it!
No Decoys!
Coyotes rarely notice decoys at night until they’re too close to matter. And decoys get demolished by owls looking for an easy snack. Leave the decoys home – they just mean extra weight without any real nighttime benefit. Keep it simple out there!
Best Night Vision for Beginners
The ATN X-SIGHT LTV is the best budget night vision scope. It’s affordable, works day and night out to 100 yards, and upgrades easily to 300 yards with an IR flashlight. I’ve tried cheaper scopes, but the ATN gives the best bang for buck. It’s the one I see most guys running on their rifles at night.
When to Hunt
The best time to hunt coyotes at night is whenever you can be out there! They tend to move more early in the night. Towards sunrise, hungry coyotes get aggressive responding to calls. My advice? Just get out and hunt as late as you can manage!
Final Thoughts
Let’s recap: Spotlights work, but night vision and thermal scopes are better. Stay quiet and stealthy. Decoys are pointless. Get a ATN scope and upgrade its IR light.Set up downwind from the coyotes’ nearest cover. Use realistic calling sequences. Take shooting positions that keep bullets clear of obstructing vegetation. And get pumped for the thrill ride of a lifetime!
When that high-pitched coyote scream answers your calls in the darkness, your heart will pound with excitement. Just inhale, steady your aim, and send a well-placed shot. Watch your trophy drop, then go collect that incredible nighttime prize.With the right preparation and mindset, you too can know the addictive thrill of hunting coyotes under the moonlight. This ultimate game of seek and destroy stops for nothing, not even nightfall. Let’s go get ’em!
