Make sure you're hunting where there are yotes. You can't call them if they're not there. QUOTE]
X2!!!
This isn't too hard if you're hunting around where you live, because you can hear the coyotes howling most nights. When I go to a new area I set up several times, but usually no more than 2 or 3 each morning or evening, and I don't bother to call in the middle of the day. I haven't used decoys, cuz I don't have any. I pick an area where I have an open field of view downwind, and call every 5 minutes for 20 minutes with a rabbit in distress. Then I wait 20 more minutes, and if I haven't seen anything I pack up quickly & move. I have had coyotes come in cross wind, but never upwind, so I limit my movement to turning my head side to side, and bringing binoculars up & down, slowly.
Movement is the biggest thing the coyotes pick up, so be very slow & deliberate any time you need to move. Camoflage is important, and if possible use natural cam, dead grass & such. I like to pick spots where I can set up with a thicket or fence post right behind me. This will break up your outline, and you don't want to be the only lump on a bald hill. Make sure your camo actually blends in with your background. Mossy Oak shadow grass doesn't work very well against a pine tree, and likewise Breakup stands out like a sore thumb against dry grass. And I'll re-emphasize, use natural camo! just make sure it doesn't limit your ability to observe, and make sure you aren't shaking an entire bush any time you shift a little.
If you haven't had any luck all day, or even if you have, try this; stick around. In a new area I'll pack up my stuff at dark, head back to my truck, and wait. I'll just read a book for about an hour, 90 minutes max. Listen for howling. If you hear any make note of the direction, shoot a compass bearing if possible, and try to estimate the distance. This will give you a great starting point for the next time you visit the area.
I also like to park at least a kilometer away from the area I intend to set up in, and I don't slam my doors or use a car locking button that honks the horn. Even if it's a new area for you, it may be regularly hunted by others, and I don't want to warn the dogs off. I don't mind the walk anyways.
It's been covered by other members already, but to hunt coyotes in Ontario you require your H1 & Small game licence. Also check the reguations, available online. Some WMUs in Southern ON don't allow Sunday hunting. Also if the farm is within town/city limits you may be prohibited from discharging ANY firearms on it. Some WMUs farther North allow coyote/wolf hunting, but only with the purchase of an additional wolf seal, which you are allowed 2 of per year. Some Units, particularly those bordering Algonquin Provincial Park, don't allow any coyote or wolf hunting at all. You should check this all out before kicking off.
If your uncle has any stillborn calfes this spring ask him to save them for you. Loop some baler twine around the back legs & drag them out as far as you can. Set up crosswind from the dead calf as far away as you're comfortable making a shot, and make sure to keep an eye on the trail you dragged the calf in on. If your uncle lets his cows calf in the pastures, do your first couple set-ups in or around those pastures. Coyotes will try to kill newborn calves, and eat the afterbirth as well. Try using a doe in heat bleat or can as a call, and use it continuosly every 10 seconds for 15 minutes, (you'll appreciate a can!). Cows who have twins will sometimes abandon one, and it will try to call her until somebody answers. When you're calling this way watch mainly downwind, but keep your head on a swivel. I've seen coyotes running in on a real calf from every direction after he'd been bawling for about 45 minutes. Lucky for that little fella, all they managed to do was clip his tail off before I got to him.
I prefer to hunt coyotes in the fall or winter, for a couple reasons. First of all their fur is much nicer, and second I've found that they're much more responsive to calling. It could be that they're hungrier, but I can't say for sure. I don't really like to hunt during the spring because I don't like the idea of orphaning a litter of cubs. I'm well aware that they are a nuisance animal, but I still enjoy the sport of hunting them.
I have found too that in the fall the younger coyotes are the first & fastest to respond to calling, and the older, bigger dogs are more likely to hang up as soon as they're within visual range.
SO! A bit long-winded, but I hope that helps answer any questions. Good luck out there, and post some pics of any success!
Cheers.
Tim H
