Predator hunting

[tradarcher816]

I just got back in from a predator hunt where I called a fox in pretty close, it got me to wondering how many folks out there hunt coyotes, foxes, etc with trad gear? Anybody got any good pics of success? And for any of those who have had success especially anyone who regularly takes predators with trad gear what are your methods/ or set ups for success? I'm trying to fill a void until turkey season and it seems like it might be fun. I don't have much experience hunting predators in general so any tips or advice is welcome.

[Roadkill]

Here is something that helps get predators close enough.  I carry a fishing reel and a piece of fur or a rag,  pick a spot with cover, visibility and an exposed bush or fence.  Tie the rag on the bush or fence and spool out your fishing line.  Set up, but not call for half hour.  Squeal away and tug the line.  Competitive yotes toss caution and rush for a free meal.  Take your shot

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

I love to predator hunt and we are over loaded with them in my part of Tx. As far as I know the only way to keep them in check is to hunt or trap them. I have lost a lot of sheep and goats because of the coyotes here , chickens and other farm birds to Fox and coon and have seen what wolves do to cattle up north. No wisdom here I just use all kinds of calls and go after em , my problem is hitting them ( I missed a bobcat and a fox last week ). My best advice is keep on keepen on and you will get plenty of shots , good luck...

,,,,Sam,,,,

[the rifleman]

The absolute most important detail that most miss when trying to call coyotes is the importance of setting up so that the yote must come out where he presents a shot.  If you set up where there is brush or tall grass down wind or a dip in the terrain downwind all you will accomplish is to educate the coyote that you never saw, never knew was there and very seldom do they fall for the same trick twice.  We have quite a few educated coyotes around here because guys watch a video, buy an expensive caller, and then proceed to teach coyotes about predator hunting.  Coyotes always try to approach downwind around here (and I'm sure elsewhere too).
You don't need an expensive electronic caller---I use mouth calls and I am sure that I would not win any calling contests, but that doesn't seem to matter if my set up is correct.  Even better if the wind and sun align so that the sun is at your back.  The benefit of an electronic caller is that you can place it off to the side of you to draw attention away from you.  Coyotes and foxes are very good at localizing sound.

[Roadkill]

Agree with wind and set up comments.  They get real smart real fast.  I am going up above my house on an open mountain-that is one with few tress, just cheat grass and new sage.  Giving them a visual helps-a lot.  My issue will be there have been sightings of lions up there, so i got to develop eyes in the back of my head

[YosemiteSam]

I only went out a few times with a rifle.  Yotes are pretty smart & have gone out of their way to circle around to get downwind of me.  My biggest challenge was always finding one that stayed still long enough to take a clean shot.  It seemed that they were either trotting or galloping everywhere they went.

[BrianC]

I lip squeaked in a gray fox this past fall and arrowed him.  He came down a ridge to my right and hit the ATV trail about 40 yds away from me.  I lip squeaked a couple times and he came waltzing down the trail and THWACK!!! at 8 yds.  I was sitting on the ground in a leafy suit.  Talk about an adrenalin rush!!!  About 15 minutes before that I had a doe and 2 fawns stop just before my shooting lane.  They knew something wasn't right and went back the way they had come from.  Almost a double blood trail that afternoon.


Brian

[olddogrib]

Do a search in the Pow Wow for a guy that goes by the handle "Thumper Dunker".  He's an incredible coyote hunter.  Methods are a bit unique...he stalks a lot of them napping around some kind of orchard out in Cali, but he's a yote's worst nightmare.

[Roadkill]

You ought to see how big those orchards are over there.  That guy must know every crease in the ground and every point of entry.  He is awesome

[Thumper Dunker]

Have not been after them much lately.  Other stuff keeps getting in the way. Mostly good stuff.
The two biggest mistakes you can do is call to long and stay on a stand too long. As far as sounds go I really starting to believe it really does not matter. I think E callers are too much trouble.

 
 
 

It can be done your going to mess up more on them than you get. If you get a shot take it ,that's all your going to get. And almost always they are moving.

[Thumper Dunker]

Some more pictures.

[Thumper Dunker]

Two from last year ?. There's more but I will be here for long time.

[Butch Speer]

Thumper Dunker is sudden death on coyotes!

[Butch Speer]

Thumper Dunker is sudden death on coyotes!

[monterey]

Man, you sure pack a bunch of arrows!  

[Nantahala Nut]

I had two yotes come down the mountain to me yesterday. I could see they were gonna get downwind. Made some squirrelly noises with my mouth but couldnt get them to come over far enough before they winded me. Someone runs a trap line on that ridge so I bet their days are numbered.