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Author
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Topic: Calling in February/March
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Coydog
PAKMAN
Member # 1089
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posted February 17, 2009 07:54 AM
Couple questions for you guys.
With breeding season on, is it time to stick with coyote sounds when calling? If so, what sounds would be most likely to trigger the best response and how should you series the sounds?
Just mainly looking for a general starting point, as I realize every situation may not be the same.
[ February 17, 2009, 10:49 AM: Message edited by: Coydog ]
Posts: 8 | From: Iowa | Registered: Jan 2007
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csmithers
unknown comic
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posted February 17, 2009 07:10 PM
I have found that using prey distress sounds works better for me in February, March and April than howling does. Ass backwards maybe but it seems I get more response this way. Hunting in mid-afternoon in March is always the best time for me in my area.
I did howl one in a couple nights ago. I could follow it by its responses every few minutes but never made visual contact with it. I was using what I would deem an invitation howl. Someone else might just say it sounds like a random off brand lone howl. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
(Take my advice with a grain of salt. I ride the short bus.)
[ February 17, 2009, 07:12 PM: Message edited by: smithers ]
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Coydog
PAKMAN
Member # 1089
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posted February 18, 2009 04:42 AM
Thanks for the reply Smithers, they wont even let me on the short bus yet.
Posts: 8 | From: Iowa | Registered: Jan 2007
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Rich
2,000th post PAKMAN
Member # 112
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posted February 18, 2009 04:56 AM
The coyote howls work well during breeding season, but I am thinking that most of the breeding has already taken place by now. Howling will still call some coyotes now, but it's kinda like bass fishing. Spawning season may be over but you can still catch a few fish if you work hard enough at it.
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If you call the coyotes in close, you won't NEED a high dollar range finder.
Posts: 2854 | From: Iowa | Registered: Feb 2003
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csmithers
unknown comic
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posted February 18, 2009 02:38 PM
Mr. Cronk, 'most' of the breeding having already taken place may be debatable.
Interestingly, I found a spot today where one coyote had urinated (me using my brain surmised it was possibly the female) and there was blood in the urine soaked snow. From the tracks it looked like there was a pair, one track met up with the other on a trail coming out of the woods. The one urinated and the other according to my interpretation of the tracks, came in after and was smelling the urine. Or, or could it have had a bloody nose or a bloody mouse hanging out of it's mouth and dripped the blood into it's mates urine? ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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Possumal
HONORARY CALLS FORUM MODERATOR edit: AND TOKEN LIBERAL
Member # 823
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posted February 18, 2009 03:41 PM
I'd have to say that "Most" of the breeding has been done around here in Kaintucky. We don't keep enough snow around to check the urine and blood, but I saw enough pups last spring in April and May that were obviously two months old or older to indicate their parents bred in December or January. I still use a non threatening howl or two to start most stands though, as it never hurts IMO. If they don't come looking for love in all the wrong places, they come out of curiosity or territorial protection. A lot of last year's brood are trying to get their territories established, and many have never bonded with a mate or running buddy. You fellows that live in extremely cold climates may experience entirely different breeding periods.
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Al Prather
Foxpro Field Staff
Posts: 781 | From: Nicholasville, Ky. | Registered: Mar 2006
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Jrbhunter
PAYS ATTENsION TO deTAIL
Member # 459
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posted February 18, 2009 03:45 PM
Most of the breeding is over, at least for those of us in this discussion (IA/MI/IN/KY).
Some will trickle in early and trickle out late... but primetime has come and gone by now. Seems my coyotes skipped from "Frisky" to "locked-up" quick this season. Perhaps because the peak rut phase coincided with the worst ice storm our region has ever seen!?
[ February 18, 2009, 03:48 PM: Message edited by: Jrbhunter ]
Posts: 615 | From: Indiana | Registered: Dec 2004
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csmithers
unknown comic
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posted February 18, 2009 04:04 PM
Jrb and possumal, how does one know when most of the coyotes in a given population have been bred. Are you going off of female coyotes killed that have evidence of being bred?
I have no evidence to the contrary but I am asking an honest question.
To the untrained eye, what gives it away? The afterglow? ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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Coydog
PAKMAN
Member # 1089
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posted February 18, 2009 04:17 PM
I am fairly green to calling, at least to the levels you guys have taken it to.
For me, calling was squallin on a rabbit call a few series and that was it.
Since these forums opened up, I couldn't believe how many different tactics can be applied to be more successfull.
Why is it tough calling now.
I would think coyotes would be pretty territorial right now, and aggressive to sounds of another coyote in their hood.
Breeding is done, or wrapping up.
What is happening now.
Between breeding and the litter being born, do the pairs stay in close knit?
Are they sticking closer to possible denning locations already?
Maybe this should be another post, but if you were to do a calling series using just coyote vocalization, could you describe that series for me? How long? etc
thanks from a fur trapper trying to become a greenhorn caller
By the way, Wiley, if you read this, missed you at the NTA, but am still interested in trying to get you to come to the corn capitol one of these years! Don't go getting terminal on me.
Posts: 8 | From: Iowa | Registered: Jan 2007
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted February 18, 2009 04:46 PM
quote:
Jrb and possumal, how does one know when most of the coyotes in a given population have been bred.
Why they Huff the holes! and not the ones in the ground.. ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif) ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5613 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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Jrbhunter
PAYS ATTENsION TO deTAIL
Member # 459
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posted February 18, 2009 05:24 PM
Tim, I'm still trying to catch up on voicemails, emails and private messages from folks thanking me for handing you your brown-nosing ass earlier this week. Ain't no time for round 2 right now.
Smithers, most of the females I killed 3/4 weeks ago were swolen and bleeding... this timeframe was shared by callers & trappers across this state and a few others in the Midwest. Slightly earlier than normal: and the behavior patterns shifted quickly thereafter.
I have a couple trapping buddies that catch and hold live coyotes, others are into breeding as well. From their experiences I'm told coyotes trickle into and out of a primary breeding window... similar to deer. I notice those windows most clearly thru regularly watching coyote behavior.
Posts: 615 | From: Indiana | Registered: Dec 2004
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted February 18, 2009 09:11 PM
LOL Jason; Would you believe i got similar E-mails about you also.. One of them came from a ADC trapper.. ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
I like games! How far you want to take it is up to you..LOL
[ February 18, 2009, 09:12 PM: Message edited by: TA17Rem ]
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5613 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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Rich
2,000th post PAKMAN
Member # 112
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posted February 19, 2009 04:14 AM
Gestation period for coyotes is considered by most to be 63 days. Since most coyote pups are born in last part of april to early may, it is pretty good guess to say that most of the breeding females are pregnant by march 1st. As JRB as already stated, the breeding females don't all come in to heat at same time, sort of like we see in deer breeding habits. My theory is that coyotes don't come to rabbit screams very well in jan. and feb. for two reasons. By january the coyotes have heard the dying rabbit blues so many times that they can hum it. Then you have the fact that coyotes are like teen agers during this time. They are more interested in sex than food. The howl of a strange coyote in the area at this time causes territorial response from resident coyotes. Of course you will also have sexually aroused coyotes approaching to see how sexy that stranger over there looks. Then you have the plain old curious coyote that comes in just to see what the heck is going on over yonder.
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If you call the coyotes in close, you won't NEED a high dollar range finder.
Posts: 2854 | From: Iowa | Registered: Feb 2003
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Possumal
HONORARY CALLS FORUM MODERATOR edit: AND TOKEN LIBERAL
Member # 823
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posted February 19, 2009 10:45 AM
The key word here is "Most". Nobody said all females were bred already. I can't speak much about what happens in other states; my comments are about the coyotes in this climate, in this area. I killed a bonded pair Wednesday before last, which was February 4. The female was obviously bred, appearing to be at least 30 days into her gestation period. Other females are that far along and some a little farther, some less. They obviously don't all come into season with the flip of a switch. The closer the female gets to whelping time, the closer she stays to the whelping den, and you see the males hunting alone for both of them, and later for the mom and the pups. They get really aggressive and territorial during that period of time. Get setup between where the male is hunting and where the female is going to whelp, or has already whelped the pups, and coyote pup distress is a sure winner. Seeing so many pups last spring in April and May that were already 8 to 10 weeks old makes me think a lot of the females are being bred in December & early January around here.
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Al Prather
Foxpro Field Staff
Posts: 781 | From: Nicholasville, Ky. | Registered: Mar 2006
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 19, 2009 12:17 PM
I usually don't hunt coyotes past January to respect the denning season. It's not a fur issue for me, and I wouldn't like the powers that be, to impose a mandatory season, but I personally honor it.
But, we need to realize that the passenger pigeon was wiped out this way, (indiscriminate killing) and I'd hate to see the same thing happen to the coyote.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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onecoyote
Knows what it's all about
Member # 129
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posted February 19, 2009 06:06 PM
Leonard, you sound like someone that went to logic school, probably El Monte High School lol.
Kill a bitch coyote when she has pups and you probably killed 7 or 8 coyotes. Do it 5 times and have a few others do it 5 times, something has got to give.
Coyotes don't grow on trees do they? I don't think passenger pigeons did either.
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Great minds discuss ideas.....Average minds discuss events.....Small minds discuss people.....Eleanor Roosevelt.
Posts: 893 | From: Walker Lake Nevada. | Registered: Feb 2003
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Possumal
HONORARY CALLS FORUM MODERATOR edit: AND TOKEN LIBERAL
Member # 823
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posted February 19, 2009 06:47 PM
I can see Leonard's point of view as well as others who don't hunt during the breeding season at all. Problem is that the farmers around here who let me hunt are having serious problems with losing calves and other livestock to coyotes, not just newborns either. They don't necessarily want every coyote exterminated, but they sure want the problem coyotes kept under control. So if I want to hunt in this area, I have to show up and help them with their problem. I know I can't kill them all and don't want to, but pleasing the farmers is my main goal. There is a huge difference in hunting the kind of farms we have around here and vast open country like other states have. Smaller tracts of land, cut up with lots of fences makes it a tough game.
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Al Prather
Foxpro Field Staff
Posts: 781 | From: Nicholasville, Ky. | Registered: Mar 2006
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 20, 2009 12:25 AM
I was just tossing bait. Good luck on exterminating coyotes! Why, you just knock the poor little critters out of a tree with a stick...right?
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Possumal
HONORARY CALLS FORUM MODERATOR edit: AND TOKEN LIBERAL
Member # 823
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posted February 20, 2009 02:17 AM
If those smelly rascals climb up into my roosting tree, I'll swing by my prehensile tail and whop 'em!
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Al Prather
Foxpro Field Staff
Posts: 781 | From: Nicholasville, Ky. | Registered: Mar 2006
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csmithers
unknown comic
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posted February 20, 2009 05:26 AM
But, we need to realize that the passenger pigeon was wiped out this way, (indiscriminate killing) and I'd hate to see the same thing happen to the coyote.
Haven't studies shown that, generally, more hunting causes the population to grow instead of decline, overall. Especially if the dominant male is taken out of the picture.
I take an average of 46 coyotes per stand so... I've been known to take sextuplets with one well placed bullet.
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Rich
2,000th post PAKMAN
Member # 112
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posted February 20, 2009 05:51 AM
When the Iowa legislator's out law chasing coyotes down with ATV's and pickup trucks, while using cell phones to help keep track of the coyote's direction of retreat, I might consider changing my calling schedule. Calling requires quite a lot more of the hunting skills, and a hell of a lot more fairness to the coyotes if you get my drift.
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If you call the coyotes in close, you won't NEED a high dollar range finder.
Posts: 2854 | From: Iowa | Registered: Feb 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 20, 2009 10:17 AM
If you find a roadkill, help out a momma. It only takes a minute to leave it close to a den. If we can spare $2 million for the octuplets, we can surely help the environment and the planet by ensuring that these critters survive. PETA, are you listening?
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Bluetrapper
Knows what it's all about
Member # 288
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posted February 21, 2009 10:54 AM
Finally found the site again after 2 yrs or so.Divorce etc. has kept me away.I feel like I've got my sanity back (single again and finding this site again).After lurching around that other site a while I feel the need to puk. I don't know where you are located Coydog but in my part of the state we have a lot of hound hunters, this affects the breeding season and makes the calling difficult.I still have some luck howling but they won't answer during the daylight so I give them some time to come in. With all the pressure put on them from all the other seasons (deer etc.)they are real slow to respond this time of the year. Mark
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M.J.D.
Posts: 21 | From: Iowa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 21, 2009 11:18 AM
Hmm? Welcome back. If you punch in The New Huntmasters , it comes up in a Google search, not that hard to find?
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Bluetrapper
Knows what it's all about
Member # 288
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posted February 21, 2009 11:45 AM
Couldn't remember the damn name.Says something about heading past 50.
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M.J.D.
Posts: 21 | From: Iowa | Registered: Jan 2004
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