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Posted by ATexan (Member # 6799) on December 07, 2018, 07:55 AM:
I would like to know what y'alls experience with hunting coyote when a winter storm hits.
What's the best time to go out calling? Would it be better to hunt the day before the system hits, or the day of? What about the day after?
I have heard a lot about having higher numbers being called in right after the snow stops.. Like within that hour.
I am trying to get a few stands in this weekend with a winter storm coming close if not hitting my area with a few inches of snow and maybe some ice. Trying to find the right time to go out, any suggestions?
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on December 07, 2018, 08:24 AM:
In my humble experience, the before / after a storm is much like the full / new moon phases. Something to argue about around a campfire.
The best time ?? Whenever you can get out and call, remembering the words of the great Murry Burnham ...…….. "Sometimes this shit just don't work".
Posted by booger (Member # 3602) on December 07, 2018, 09:22 AM:
I am certainly no expert, but I can tell you the most good fortune I had calling was about 15 years ago when we had a 30 day period where the temps hovered around 28 degrees for the high, and around 5-10 at night for the low.
I documented 10 stands I made over a 3 day period. I called something in on every stand...that was the best streak I ever have had calling, before or since.
I had the luck of having 3 days off during the middle of the week during this stretch, and figured they needed to be constantly looking for food during that time. I was able to hunt when I felt was right rather than just being able to get out on the weekends.
I have wracked my brain both asking those that hunt the moon and weather fronts, and get different answers all the time. I think the best time to hunt is when you can hunt. I think the more you get out, the more you learn, and the more you get out, the more stands you make, and that should equate into more success.
[ December 07, 2018, 09:26 AM: Message edited by: booger ]
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 07, 2018, 10:58 AM:
I enjoy seeing so many people offer up how good the hunting is the day after a storm. Such has not been the case for me. That said, there is some correlation with just how often you get snow in your area. For several years, my area hasn't seen a lot of snow and when it has snowed, especially the first couple snows of the season, you don't see much activity for a day or two afterwards. IMO, the coyotes are pretty rattled by such a profound change to their environment that it kinda holds them back. We had six inches of snow a few weeks back and it didn't bother me at all to work the day afterwards because I knew days 2 and 3 post-snow were going to be better. Along that same line with winds. Cold weather, deep snow, or sustained winds... any one of these can lock them down, but after a few days, they get hungry and you just need to work with what you get.
Interestingly, we've had a new weather event for us lead to a bit of a change up. Eleven days ago, we had our first blizzard in about ten years. Lasted most of eight hours. I hunted a spot Tuesday where the 60+ mph winds just swept up everything that wasn't anchored down in a corn stubble field bordering a woody drainage. All there was in front of me was black frozen mud and corn stalks. No corn leaves. No tree leaves, no grass. That debris is a huge factor for rats and other rodents in those fields and having it all blown away really changed the prey situation there. Ten seconds into that stand using a rodent squeak, I had two coyotes coming in. Got both of them when a third and fourth appeared. Got number three as well. Let number four go. Got me to wondering afterwards how much of the prey population might have died in the blizzard and how much found cover. Lesson I learned a long time ago when trapping coyotes is to trap on prey habitat. Same thing for calling.
Posted by ATexan (Member # 6799) on December 07, 2018, 12:02 PM:
Thanks fellas! I am no way an expert at calling coyote, any and all info is appreciated!
Talked to my calling partner earlier and it looks like we will be at it all day tomorrow. He wants to harvest a white tail doe for his freezer which having six kids and a low Stocked meat freezer, he is feeling the pressure to hunt. So a deer hunt and some coyote stands it will be.
Thanks again
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 07, 2018, 12:27 PM:
I'm pretty well convinced that the action explodes virtually the minute the rain or especially, the snow stops. In fact, depending on whether or not it's miserable, I can call coyotes and bobcat in the steady rain. But, something Lance said has merit, you need to call where they are, don't expect them to come romping in from a mile away.
But, day or night, be there when the snow stops and the temperature plunges. You will be glad you didn't wait out the storm in the coffee shop.
This planet, "Kansas", apparently beyond Pluto, is pretty interesting. Two days? THREE DAYS? Maybe they have Dave's coyote calendar, so they don't get confused. Takes considerable discipline, the temptation to get out there and hunt before it's baked long enough. It's bad enough for humans, and we can get an Egg McMuffin at the drive through just about any time, whereas a coyote has to eat, rain or shine. Normally, these critters don't have anything like the concept of time, as we know it, since we invented it.
I'm just pulling your leg, Lance. Thanks for your input.
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on December 07, 2018, 07:59 PM:
I've gone out a bunch of times the morning after a good snowfall hits and most of the time been disappointed with the results. At least when compared to what you hear and read that it's supposed to be great hunting for about anything immediately after a storm. I'd consider a good snow fall 6 inches or more.
It seems a new world of white, throws coyotes off in these parts for a day or two. Many times walking the hills right after a good snow doesn't even yield much for tracks.
A light skiff to a couple inches of snow or just some good cold weather seems to be good though.
I'd way sooner hunt 24-48 hours after a snow-storm blows through. Especially if the conditions are calm and clear. They'll be moving than.
Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on December 08, 2018, 04:15 AM:
quote:
I'd way sooner hunt 24-48 hours after a snow-storm blows through. Especially if the conditions are calm and clear. They'll be moving than.
That's me, too.
But I can't say that I can really answer the original question. If there is a consistent pattern to it, I haven't ever noticed it. I will say, in agreement with Lonny, that for me, right after the storm, has never seemed anything special and neither has right before. I don't hunt during.
If anything, give me steady high pressure two or three days after a decent storm.
But really, I just go when I can and it doesn't look like the wind will be blowing too much.
Last weekend, got out the day before, dark, overcast, heavy threatening skies all day, but not much wind. Calling was decent. Snowed an inch or two while I slept in my tent that night. Stopped snowing before daylight. Woke up to a white new world. Coyotes were around, but they weren't coming in like the day before, calling was much slower. High temps in the mid 20's both days, not too much wind.
Was it the weather? Hell if I know.
What it looked like all day last Saturday when the calling was pretty good.
What it looked like late last Sunday morning when the calling dropped off to almost nothing.
Might make the comment, anymore, the above ranks as a "storm". Most years we don't get a big one anymore, just a few like this.
One weekend, means nothing. But I think my opinion is that none of it means anything. Some days they are biting, some days they aren't. I do not doubt the weather influences this. But my opinion, storms aren't particularly predictable in how they will effect it.
- DAA
[ December 08, 2018, 04:18 AM: Message edited by: DAA ]
Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on December 08, 2018, 05:38 AM:
I like to go when the wind stops they don't seem to move as well in the wind . And I hate the wind ! They seem to see by motion and when the wind is going everything is moving must make them crazy.
Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on December 08, 2018, 05:42 AM:
Great pics Dave !
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