Nice going Scalloper, that's a lot of coyotes in a short time. You must have a really good setup. If you don't mind, tell us how you are going about it, the equipment you are using, distance, coyote reaction to lights if any etc.
DannyK, here is the latest with regards to getting the rifle / scope out the window with using foam similar to yours. I cut out an opening after measuring for close tolerances, and still need just a bit less diameter.
I used 4" PVC pipe and a connector of PVC 3" to 4", fit like it was made to order. It worked great, now I just need to camo it, will do that next summer. I can't use the illuminator with this outfit, but the infrared lights provide all the illumination I need. As well, I plan to make a sort of shutter out of OSB that will hinge on the inside of the window, have a cut out for the foam to mount to, and that will make the seal even more air tight. For now I'm using a blanket. The shutter will allow me to open for window view when I need it, or close it for use with the foam.
The cabin is now basically sealed from the outside and vice versa. This setup not only helps keep heat in the building better and scent control too, it also cuts down on visibility that a coyote might see coming from within the building. Once completed with OSB and a better seal, I should be able to use low-level red lights maybe at floor level so I can see to get about the cabin, and not be visible to a coyote.
Man, am I a redneck or what!!??
I've often said that half the fun is in the process. Of course that hasn't helped me shoot any coyotes yet, and they seem to be as wild as a marsh hare so to speak.
The other night the alarm went off around midnight and then again shortly after 3:00 AM. I saw nothing, but it took me several seconds to get in position and turn the scope on. The alarm was very quiet so that didn't spook a coyote I don't think. I have a volume control on a headset that regulates the amount of volume emitted.
Trail cameras didn't catch any critters either, but somehow I have a feeling that a coyote passed near the bait site and set off the alarm, yet was out of trigger range of the cameras. I had a coyote do that once before, just go across the upper end of the bait and kept going without even touching the bait. It just more or less passed through.
It's anybody's guess as to what happened, or if it was a coyote at all. Any of you guys have thoughts about this or have coyotes act in similar fashion? One consideration is if the yote could smell the battery (deep cycle) operating the infrared lights, or the lights themselves. I can see the infrared, but just barely and the lights are about 15 feet up in the tree.
UPDATE: YouTube clip of night vision / infrared light setup
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzfRFiTeLQY&feature=youtu.be