Coyotes all around two weeks ago . Have not heard a yip then . Seemed like a pack on every hill . have had many sirens go by and all is quiet . live 1/2 mile from lake to north and about 3 miles from Morrow Mountain state park to the east . western area farm and cattle land for mile . [More u guys know , more u can advise .] Thanks !!!!
do coyotes use standard patterns in areas?
- Thread starter ole hat
- Start date
Just because you can’t hear them doesn't mean they're not there. Often, when I’m focusing on a specific area, I hear coyotes respond to my vocals from different locations while the area I’m targeting remains quiet. I often feel tempted to stop calling and target the groups I've heard, but I decide to call anyway. Many times, this still brings coyotes in from the area I am originally targeting.
It has been in mid 50s last week and 30s to mid 5os this week . Have noticed this trend for a while . Be groups all around when they are here that sound off. then quiet for a period for a while . like all groups move together.
I don't think about it as areas. I think about it as conditions. I think that is all an "area" is to a coyote - a set of favorable conditions.
I think "some coyotes" do have "standard patterns" - in standard or "static conditions". But not all coyotes. And I don't think static conditions ever last.
- DAA
I think "some coyotes" do have "standard patterns" - in standard or "static conditions". But not all coyotes. And I don't think static conditions ever last.
- DAA
derbyacresbob
Well-known member
Same here!
Most of the coyotes we call in, we don't hear any coyotes before a coyote or coyotes show up.
Most of the coyotes I hear, get vocal when they hear my prey distress sounds. Not very often have I called in coyotes with howl sounds. I have called in some male coyotes but not many with a Male Challenge sound after being challenged by a male coyote.
Pup Distress 3 sound has worked great for me over the years and I have had vocal coyotes come in when they hear Pup Distress 3 sound.
I've called a few w/coyote vocals, but not many over the years; guess I never learned to speak coyote. And like you, Bob, the coyote pup distress has a good record. I end most every stand with that, then sit a spell; have had quite a few respond to that one.
Only remember two that actually came all the way in to challenge howl. Have carried on a number of arguments w/mad coyotes, several that refused to cross a boundary fence, but would respond to every challenge I threw out. One in particular coyote ran up and down the roads running N>S and E>W (on the adjoining ranch side) barking and growling for 40+ minutes according to timer on my remote.
My partner was sitting tight in the corner and I was backed up in the bushes on the N>S fence line. He came up to the bush I was sitting in (thankfully impenetrable) and I thought he was gonna come through when I growled at him on one lap.
This picture taken at that corner on another day. Partner was sitting where my rifle is facing north), he covered the E>W fence and the pipeline sendero, I was sitting against the N>S fence facing north, covering that roadway. There is a cattle guard on the N>S fence right at that corner (to my partner's back) and the coyote was running back and forth, jumping cattle guard at the corner and travel about 40 yrds along both fences barking and carrying on, but would not cross the fence. He would lose interest after a while and walk off toward the east, but when I challenged him, he'd come back to fence and take up where we left off. I finally tired of the game and let him walk on into brush on adjacent ranch. He was some worked up and I don't know how long he would have gone on had I not stopped calling.
This was a perfect example of territorial boundaries. I suspect that some of these territories pass from generation to generation, because all the years I hunted this ranch, I had several altercations in that corner and never got one to come across the fence when challenged. I did coax a number across at that location w/distress calls, however.
Only remember two that actually came all the way in to challenge howl. Have carried on a number of arguments w/mad coyotes, several that refused to cross a boundary fence, but would respond to every challenge I threw out. One in particular coyote ran up and down the roads running N>S and E>W (on the adjoining ranch side) barking and growling for 40+ minutes according to timer on my remote.
My partner was sitting tight in the corner and I was backed up in the bushes on the N>S fence line. He came up to the bush I was sitting in (thankfully impenetrable) and I thought he was gonna come through when I growled at him on one lap.
This picture taken at that corner on another day. Partner was sitting where my rifle is facing north), he covered the E>W fence and the pipeline sendero, I was sitting against the N>S fence facing north, covering that roadway. There is a cattle guard on the N>S fence right at that corner (to my partner's back) and the coyote was running back and forth, jumping cattle guard at the corner and travel about 40 yrds along both fences barking and carrying on, but would not cross the fence. He would lose interest after a while and walk off toward the east, but when I challenged him, he'd come back to fence and take up where we left off. I finally tired of the game and let him walk on into brush on adjacent ranch. He was some worked up and I don't know how long he would have gone on had I not stopped calling.
This was a perfect example of territorial boundaries. I suspect that some of these territories pass from generation to generation, because all the years I hunted this ranch, I had several altercations in that corner and never got one to come across the fence when challenged. I did coax a number across at that location w/distress calls, however.
Spurchaser
Well-known member
Heck, what got me into calling was them answering and letting me know they were on the way. That was last year.
This year I haven’t heard but one howl a LONG way off and knew he wasn’t gonna come in. That’s the only coyote I’ve heard in six months now.
This year I haven’t heard but one howl a LONG way off and knew he wasn’t gonna come in. That’s the only coyote I’ve heard in six months now.
hunt0168
Well-known member
Pattern-able coyotes… Around me I haven’t noticed any real “patterns” that were with any sort of consistency. Trail camera pics reveal coyotes frequently, but there’s no rhyme or reason that I can figure as to why and when they show up. Never spent much time worrying about it really. It’s proof enough that the area has coyotes roaming around. Then it’s up to me to figure out how to get them to where I can kill them.
Same goes for them vocalizing. Sometimes you’ll have one or two just randomly announcing their presence, then a chain reaction of howls can be heard from every coyote in earshot. I love it when I know they are there, but not hearing them certainly doesn’t mean they aren’t around. The vast majority come in silent.
Around me (Central NY) it has been a crazy quiet year. Typically the summer months, July, August seem to be when I hear a lot of family groups firing off. I always assume it’s just pups in training, figuring things out and learning the ropes from their parents. This year I heard very little of this. Seems like there’s usually a second “Peak” for howling come time of the breeding cycle. I think pairs are a little more likely to announce their presence for territorial reasons.
As for calling… Prey distress sounds rarely get a vocal response in my experience. With the exception being in some of the highly pressured spots where I compete with other hunters that have burned them with prey sounds a lot. If I hit a rabbit or bird and immediately get warning (booger) barks, I know what I’m dealing with. Any future attempts at that area will be minimal vocals and silent treatment for lengthier stands.
Even using coyote vocals, the majority of responders come in quietly. Oftentimes, if I get a vocal response, it will trigger the chain reaction thing I spoke of. If they sound off reasonably close it’s a rarity that I get any other vocal response before they show up. If they’re off a good ways, and I’ve put some silent treatment into the mix, they may respond again to vocals. This is my clue to know if they have moved closer or not. This helps me figure my next move.
Same goes for them vocalizing. Sometimes you’ll have one or two just randomly announcing their presence, then a chain reaction of howls can be heard from every coyote in earshot. I love it when I know they are there, but not hearing them certainly doesn’t mean they aren’t around. The vast majority come in silent.
Around me (Central NY) it has been a crazy quiet year. Typically the summer months, July, August seem to be when I hear a lot of family groups firing off. I always assume it’s just pups in training, figuring things out and learning the ropes from their parents. This year I heard very little of this. Seems like there’s usually a second “Peak” for howling come time of the breeding cycle. I think pairs are a little more likely to announce their presence for territorial reasons.
As for calling… Prey distress sounds rarely get a vocal response in my experience. With the exception being in some of the highly pressured spots where I compete with other hunters that have burned them with prey sounds a lot. If I hit a rabbit or bird and immediately get warning (booger) barks, I know what I’m dealing with. Any future attempts at that area will be minimal vocals and silent treatment for lengthier stands.
Even using coyote vocals, the majority of responders come in quietly. Oftentimes, if I get a vocal response, it will trigger the chain reaction thing I spoke of. If they sound off reasonably close it’s a rarity that I get any other vocal response before they show up. If they’re off a good ways, and I’ve put some silent treatment into the mix, they may respond again to vocals. This is my clue to know if they have moved closer or not. This helps me figure my next move.
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I'm sure "standard patterns" vary somewhat from one type of terrain to another. The closest thing to standard behavior common from one area to the next is their use of their excellent nose, ears and sight in conjunction with their reluctance to expose themselves during the day and use of cover when moving.
In S Tx brush, as I suspect they do elsewhere, they tend to travel path of least resistance all the while taking advantage of terrain features offering instant escape routes. IME, coyotes coming to the call will use two tracks bordered by thick brush where possible, as well as game trails, etc. which offer nearby cover. The common denominator is close proximity of concealment whether brush, shrubs or high grass but will use rolling terrain to remain in defilade while approaching in more barren terrain. Where I hunt most thick brush will all have a well worn game or cattle trail along the perimeter as well as through the middle. Knowing where the fence crossings are is of great benefit in the brush.
This favorite setup over the years demonstrates that behavior. The white line represents an outer fence adjacent to a block of heavy brush. Every year there is a heavily used coyote crossing at the edge of that brush, with the obligatory adjacent, well used path alongside (yellow line). Year after year, setting up across a 200 yard strip of cleared pasture as show has paid dividends. The picture doesn't show the brushline is 90* angle to fence.
Brushline runs N>S and predominant wind is either N>S OR S>N. A number of coyotes have met their demise on the yellow line.
Some of the most open areas on these ranches are around often dry lake beds, the level of which depends upon precipitation at any point in time. Again, coyotes predominantly travel the edge of brush lines but will venture out a bit using rolling terrain to stay in defilade. The first picture shows a 90* corner of one such clearing around a lake. We were set up in a small clump of mesquite watching the corner of brush line.
The coyote first exposed himself @ white star coming to the call, traveling the brush line which was about 400 yards away. The rolling terrain gave him confidence to leave the brush line and travel low spots to cut the distance. (red line)
He managed to stay in defilade until very near the brush line to the left. He is visible at end of yellow line where we stopped him for the shot.
In S Tx brush, as I suspect they do elsewhere, they tend to travel path of least resistance all the while taking advantage of terrain features offering instant escape routes. IME, coyotes coming to the call will use two tracks bordered by thick brush where possible, as well as game trails, etc. which offer nearby cover. The common denominator is close proximity of concealment whether brush, shrubs or high grass but will use rolling terrain to remain in defilade while approaching in more barren terrain. Where I hunt most thick brush will all have a well worn game or cattle trail along the perimeter as well as through the middle. Knowing where the fence crossings are is of great benefit in the brush.
This favorite setup over the years demonstrates that behavior. The white line represents an outer fence adjacent to a block of heavy brush. Every year there is a heavily used coyote crossing at the edge of that brush, with the obligatory adjacent, well used path alongside (yellow line). Year after year, setting up across a 200 yard strip of cleared pasture as show has paid dividends. The picture doesn't show the brushline is 90* angle to fence.
Brushline runs N>S and predominant wind is either N>S OR S>N. A number of coyotes have met their demise on the yellow line.
Some of the most open areas on these ranches are around often dry lake beds, the level of which depends upon precipitation at any point in time. Again, coyotes predominantly travel the edge of brush lines but will venture out a bit using rolling terrain to stay in defilade. The first picture shows a 90* corner of one such clearing around a lake. We were set up in a small clump of mesquite watching the corner of brush line.
The coyote first exposed himself @ white star coming to the call, traveling the brush line which was about 400 yards away. The rolling terrain gave him confidence to leave the brush line and travel low spots to cut the distance. (red line)
He managed to stay in defilade until very near the brush line to the left. He is visible at end of yellow line where we stopped him for the shot.