Mule Deer Fanatic

Hungry predators respond well to calls

By Gary Lewis

Published: January 22, 2008 12:38PM

“Scientists classify the coyote under the order Carnivorain the family Canidae. Canis latranshas been called the brush wolf and the prairie wolf. Some folks call them song dogs and others call them yodelers. The Aztecs called them coyotl. Ranchers call them trouble at calving time.Right now, I’m calling them hungry.Last month, we headed east and south into the junipers and sagebrush. An inch of grainy snow lay like a blanket on the ground and tracks laced the landscape. Almost every deer track had a coyote track that ran parallel. It looked like the dogs were hunting in packs.

Seldom have I seen such a concentration of coyote activity. A few minutes later, we saw the reason why. Mule deer. A herd of does bounced away through the junipers. For the rest of the winter, coyotes will be following the deer, antelope and elk herds, preying on the less-experienced fawns and calves.

It doesn’t take a lot of experience to call in a coyote, but it does take a sanitary setup and a coyote in earshot. Right now, the best coyote hunting is on winter deer and elk range. Wherever deer go when the snow flies, that’s where you’ll find coyotes.

I like edge habitat where agricultural lands butt up against sagebrush and junipers. Canyons and dry washes are like runways for coyotes. A pair or a trio will run the length of a wash, on the prowl for rabbits or deer.

Set up in front of a bush or a tree to break up your outline and post a partner to keep watch in another direction. Often, a coyote circles to catch the scent stream before charging in.

Wear camouflage and a facemask. It’s very important to conceal the shine of your face. But don’t let the facemask break up your peripheral vision, you’re going to need it. A flick of a tail, a pair of ears above the tops of the grass, a flash of fur in the sage — all could be clues that a coyote is coming.

Use the call sparingly. Start with a subtle cry, sustained for about 30 seconds. Wait two minutes, then increase the volume. Call for about 30 seconds at a time and then go silent for about two minutes. If you’re imitating a rabbit or a fawn in distress, remember that these animals have small lung capacity and cries are likely to be of short duration.

On a coyote hunt, I give each set at least 15 minutes. Going through my journals for the last three hunts, the coyotes have been coming at an average of under 31/2minutes on each successful call setup.

On our most recent hunt, we saw eight coyotes. They came in fast and hungry.

Yotey, prairie wolf, yodel-dog — call him what you like, but don’t call him late for dinner.”

HHHH

Gary Lewis is author of “Deer Hunting Tactics” and “Hunting Oregon.