Coyote Calling Help

kiddwinner

Active Member
Jun 24, 2013
377
6
Cody, Wyoming
So I was out tonight trying to call coyotes. At one point had several groups around me howling, wind was good, set up was awesome. Tried everything, rodent, rabbit, mule deer fawn, bird. Tried low volume. Tried high volume. Anyone have any ideas what's up?
 

Calbuck

Active Member
Feb 7, 2013
296
16
Northeastern California
Sometimes if you use too many different sounds, the dogs will hang up and not come in. It doesn't sound right to them. I've had better luck by not over calling. Sometimes if you get a response but they won't come in, you can go to them
 

Ikeepitcold

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 22, 2011
10,028
1,615
Reno Nv
I agree. Once I get them talking I will continue with what gat them calling. If they stop I will switch to mimicking their barks. So many guys are calling dogs. They get very used to calls and if the set up isn't perfect they won't come in.
 

go_deep

Veteran member
Nov 30, 2014
2,650
1,984
Wyoming
so basically they were talking because of the call? I was using a cottontail sound... then I should stick with that and just wait and hope?
Yep, sit, wait, and hope.

I've changed it up a little bit at times mid calling, and it works sometimes, but more times than not, it doesn't.
 

Calbuck

Active Member
Feb 7, 2013
296
16
Northeastern California
I would guesstimate about a third of my sets, maybe even less. I very consistently get responses, but the yotes in my neck of the woods are very cautious *most* of the time
 

crzy_cntryby

Active Member
Dec 9, 2014
269
0
If you have opposing groups on different sides of you throwing in a little fight or yote fox fight might get them too curious to pass up a chance at a meal or at least a show.
 

6mm Remington

Very Active Member
Mar 27, 2011
977
48
Western Montana
Just keep getting out and keep trying and you will have some come in. Lots of good tips listed here by folks. I do agree that too many different calls might be confusing things and when they hear something they don't like, they won't come!
David
 

mcseal2

Veteran member
Mar 1, 2011
1,171
195
midwest
Sometimes in highly called areas a little different sound can be effective. I've had good luck switching to a bird distress sound in the Midwest at least. The woodpecker is probably second to the rabbit in most used, but it still seems to work. Especially in tighter quarters where volume can be kept down a bit. For mouth calls a higher pitched call has been best for me. I've probably called in more with the various versions of Verminators tweety call than all others combined. A lot of this is because it's what I start out with. For more volume their alienator call can hit the high pitches too, and both can do an excellent bird distress sound.

When calling alone I often switch to the electronic call, a FoxPro prairie blaster II in my case. I love my mouth calls but it's easier to get high percentage shots and not get busted when the sound is not coming from right where I sit. I'm a believer in decoys to take the attention off me too. Calling with other people I use the mouth calls and hide in more cover, set them up to shoot.

Decoys need not be fancy but need to get high enough off the ground to be visible. The Mojo critter is one I use a lot with the extension and I've had a coyote pounce on it before. The one built into the FoxPro works good too but is only about 15" off the ground. When going light and covering a lot of distance on foot I carry one I built from a snap clip, fishing line + swivel, tape, and pheasant tail feathers. I taped them together in an X and tied the fishing line to it. The swivel keeps the line from twisting and I hook the snap clip to a limb. It spins dances around like crazy with a little breeze and has been effective. Biggest thing on a decoy or electronic call is not to bet busted setting them out. Sometimes it's better not to use them if you can't sneak them in effectively.
 

kiddwinner

Active Member
Jun 24, 2013
377
6
Cody, Wyoming
Thanks for all the help! Appreciate all of it. 6mm, I agree, eventually it will happen. mcseal2, hard to be too sneaky setting up my mojo critter, wide open country, I just hope they don't see me. I have access to private land and blm behind it is really hard to get to so Im basically about the only one calling out there! going to head out this Saturday and sunday.