Need advice on Coyote/Wolf Calibres and Varm Hunting

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longarm21

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Just wanted to get some people's opinion on this.

I recently started hunting last year, been on a few deer trips with friends. I own a Rem 700 in .308, and a tactical shotgun (590a1). At this time I don't own a varmint rifle and its not really in the budget for me to buy one immediately.

Anyways recently I was approached by my girlfriend's step-dad who owns a fairly large ranch in Northern Alberta about hunting Coyote on his property. He has a great number of deer in the area, he owns dogs, and has children. He also informed me there are some 2-3 known dens in the property and showed me roughly where they were.

From what I know about Yote hunting this area is prime. Frozen pond, bush on three sides, lots of cover for their approach and to hide me.

Just read a great post by RRal22 down on the Coyote Tips and Tricks thread below, have to say there was some great advice on Coyote hunting.

I guess I have a few questions:
1 - is it a good idea to hunt Coyote with .308? I mean I know its expensive, but really this is varmint hunting and I don't plan on tanning pelts or anything at least not for the time being. I guess the benefit I see is that it would be great practice for next deer season, and I also have a great deal of trigger time on this particular rifle.
2 - are electronic calls the best for someone just starting out?
3 - because coyotes are exempt in Alberta from laws requireing me to salvage their remains, what would experienced yote hunters recommend doing with their remains? I know that his family wouldn't appreciate me leaving them in the clearing for his kids/dogs to find.
4- Does anyone recommend the movement decoys that Cabela's sells?
 
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1) 308 will work fine if you are not looking to salvage pelts.

2) IMO hand calls are best to start with because they cost 1/10th to 1/50th the cost of electronic calls.

3) Talk to the landowner about what he expects. Places I hunt where landowners have asked me to drop them all year, I leave them where they lay when outside of prime fur time.

4) No idea.
 
I agree with Pudelpointer , The .308 will be fine. I've used a 7mm mag on a few with very little damage. It depends on where its hit and how far away you are. My predominant coyote gun is the 22-250. I've also shot a few with my .17HMR but then you need to be close.

I started with a mouth call and a wiggley rabbit. I'm not sure the movement decoys are all that necessary but in some situations can be helpfull.

RE: the carcass. some people would say to not waste it. There's usually someone around that will skin it for the pelt when in prime. Other than that, they are just like big gophers, and the magpies etc. will take care of them.
 
It is a good idea to use your .308 while you have nothing else. When you have something in a more typical "varmint" calibre it will be a better idea to use that, but meanwhile it is a bad idea to not go coyote hunting just because you have a calibre that isn't the typical favourite.
 
if .308 is all you have for now then knock 'em dead!!! a friend of mine manages to kill yotes nicely with a .17 hmr
 
My buddy bought a cheap MP3 player from Walmart and some battery speakers. Then he downloaded some distress noises and sound files that were just silence in different lengths(used to delay the calls). He made himself a playlist and it sounds pretty realistic. He sets it near a modified cat toy and it seems to work for him.
 
A .308 will work fine. Once you shoot them just leave them on the ground. If you are looking to buy hand calls I suggest you avoid the cheap crap most Canadian gun stores sell. Primos (Randy Anderson), Knight and Hale, Quaker boy are cheap plastic junk IMO. I suggest any call from Dan Thompson..I love the Red Desert howler. Critt'r Call Magnums and Pee Wees are very good as are Sceery calls.
Ive owned all sorts of FoxPros in the past and use them a bit and always go back to hand calls...if you can breath you can use a handcall..very simple and rewarding. I dont use decoys either. If a coyote is close enough to see a decoy he is close enough to shoot. Decoys, e-callers and all the other gimmicks out there just add wait and limit your ability to sneak in undetected. The more you move about placing an e-caller and then a decoy mean the higher chances of a coyote bustin you. Been there, done that.
Best suggestion is be very stealthy sneaking in..no loud talk..no doors slamming and limit how much you move and don't skyline yourself. Element of surprise is an asset hunting dogs.

Cheers!!
 
Thanks folks I really appreciate the feedback. Great advice especially from Scott_r thanks!

I guess the reason I thought about electronic calls is that since they can be placed remotely I don't need to be as concerned about them heading to me, thus less chance of them smelling/spotting me. I've also heard that they tend to lock onto decoys and not notice the shooter. Is this true?
 
longarm21 said:
Thanks folks I really appreciate the feedback. Great advice especially from Scott_r thanks!

I guess the reason I thought about electronic calls is that since they can be placed remotely I don't need to be as concerned about them heading to me, thus less chance of them smelling/spotting me. I've also heard that they tend to lock onto decoys and not notice the shooter. Is this true?
Click to expand...

It does depend alot where you live and the pressure the coyotes get. Don't get me wrong, a FoxPro is nice but for $300-$500 (for a decent one) I suggest handcalls first to see if coyote hunting is your thing. I myself prefer a coyote to come head on to me as a bullet in its chest will drop it and have little damage. It also adds to the hunt knowing a predator is coming in to your sound in hopes of killing it. Nothing raises the hair on your neck like blowing a hand call for a while then glancing to your side to see a coyote 5 yards from you :sok2
I have really noticed this winter that coyotes are quite wary...with guys reportedly getting $80-100 for a prime coyote lots are running them down with sleds or calling. You really need to be stealthy and not get busted off the get go.
If you want a real cheap decoy that works really good go grab a white plastic shopping bag and a small piece of coat hanger. Stick the bag on it and let the wind blow it a bit. Just that bit of movement will at times help. I used to do decoys but now don't really bother.
I think all guys have different styles and there really is no right or wrong way of doing it..you'll learn pretty quick lol. Its quite addictive.

Cheers!!
 
I like open reed calls because they can't freeze up and you can change the sound easy on them. With the coyote rut coming up howls and vocalization sounds might work better.
 
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