Coyotes are fully into their mating season and will soon select dens to raise pups and reign terror on local fawns and turkey nests. Whether you want to tackle this most adaptable predator with stick and string or break out the “long bow” is a matter of preference, but reducing the population, especially prior to denning season, will greatly affect the wildlife you hunt.
Control Nest Busters
Coyotes are a major predator of fawns, yet raccoons, opossums, and skunks ravage nesting birds throughout the spring. Whether they kill the nesting female or just eat the eggs, the impact is the same. A friend of mine owns a 200-acre farm in Western Maryland, and the DNR frequently traps turkeys on his property for relocation. When asked why his farm consistently has such high turkey numbers, the answer came quickly- “We have a vigorous trapping program where we remove as many coyotes and raccoons as we can.”
Use Your Smartphone
Luring a coyote into range with a caller may seem difficult as they are among the wariest of predators. Most hunters carry a smartphone capable of creating a dying-rabbit sound that will entice most predators. Go to Google or another search engine and enter “predator call” or “dying rabbit sound,” and you will be amazed at how many options you have. Turn the volume up, lay the phone in the leaves or by a stump, and move 20 yards away. An approaching predator will have its attention focused on the sound rather than you, giving you a chance for an accurate shot.
Incidental Hunting
To maximize your chances of success, it’s best to wear full camo, use a commercial calling device, and hunt at first or last light. However, many hunters like to scout for last year’s deer sign, hunt for shed antlers, scout for spring gobblers, or just take a hike in the woods. Taking a few minutes to set up a calling site using your cell phone could net a great trophy and save the lives of a bunch of young deer. Plus, it’s an excuse to carry your bow, crossbow, or “other” in the woods. You may need a hunting license, yet many states allow the taking of coyotes by any means and at any time. Good luck.
