Where do coyotes sleep during the day?

[Infidel 762]

I had this idea in my head that although the animals are bedding down during the day, if they heard the call they would take advantage of the opportunity and get up and grab a quick snack. Maybe thats a big part of my failures, calling at the wrong time of day. Thank you Joe

A lot depends on where you set up and what sounds you use. I have called in coyotes at all hours of the day and night. When I call in the early afternoon, I expect that the coyotes are bedded down. I don’t think they are lying there, mentally reasoning whether or not to respond to my sounds. Instead, I believe they are impulsively triggered, and once they are on their feet, their instincts guide them, leading them to circle for the wind, use cover, key in on perceived dangers, etc. One of the advantages of using an e-call is the ability to cycle through multiple sounds, which increases the chances of finding one that will trigger that coyote. It is why you can play one rabbit distress, and nothing, then you switch to another rabbit distress with a different pitch, and they trigger.

I have called to many coyotes that I saw bedded down, where I play a sound, and they would lift their heads, lose interest, and then lay their heads back down. I start cycling through sounds, hit the right one, and they start coming in. There are other times when no sound will trigger them, at that time and place. I’ve seen the same thing with coyotes that are mousing in fields or responded to my vocals from patches of cover. Sometimes, simply moving a few yards closer can trigger them by getting into their "bubble." I believe the closer you are, the more likely they are to trigger , and they have less time to detect something they don’t like, on the way in.

When setting up, I always analyze the terrain between my location and the area I am targeting. I look for features that might cause coyotes to hang up or serve as territorial boundaries. I survey the terrain with these considerations in mind, make a best guess, and then expect them to come in from where I least expected, lol

 

[medic joe]

A lot depends on where you set up and what sounds you use. I have called in coyotes at all hours of the day and night. When I call in the early afternoon, I expect that the coyotes are bedded down. I don’t think they are lying there, mentally reasoning whether or not to respond to my sounds. Instead, I believe they are impulsively triggered, and once they are on their feet, their instincts guide them, leading them to circle for the wind, use cover, key in on perceived dangers, etc. One of the advantages of using an e-call is the ability to cycle through multiple sounds, which increases the chances of finding one that will trigger that coyote. It is why you can play one rabbit distress, and nothing, then you switch to another rabbit distress with a different pitch, and they trigger.

I have called to many coyotes that I saw bedded down, where I play a sound, and they would lift their heads, lose interest, and then lay their heads back down. I start cycling through sounds, hit the right one, and they start coming in. There are other times when no sound will trigger them, at that time and place. I’ve seen the same thing with coyotes that are mousing in fields or responded to my vocals from patches of cover. Sometimes, simply moving a few yards closer can trigger them by getting into their "bubble." I believe the closer you are, the more likely they are to trigger , and they have less time to detect something they don’t like, on the way in.

When setting up, I always analyze the terrain between my location and the area I am targeting. I look for features that might cause coyotes to hang up or serve as territorial boundaries. I survey the terrain with these considerations in mind, make a best guess, and then expect them to come in from where I least expected, lol

I believe from what you have shared covers calling quite well. Not to mention a particular coyote's behavior. When I have called. I have tried to keep a low hill top between where I finally nestle in to call. And where I believe a coyote may be at(as long as it hasn't seen me settle in). Then I aim my hand call opening over that hilltop & slightly upwind. From the ground cover where one might be. Reason why I aim my hand call up wind from where one might be is. So the prevailing wind stands a chance to let my sound reach that cover area. When I have called. I try to get within a 1/4 mile of a potential coyote in cover. That is at a crosswind angle from where I'm at. The deeper into a land mass near a coyote. The more at ease a coyote tends to be. Because it can be assumed you are on it's known territory. Versus, being on the outer fringe of it's territory. Which can make a coyote reluctant or dismissive to respond.

 

[Newpond0]

A lot depends on where you set up and what sounds you use. I have called in coyotes at all hours of the day and night. When I call in the early afternoon, I expect that the coyotes are bedded down. I don’t think they are lying there, mentally reasoning whether or not to respond to my sounds. Instead, I believe they are impulsively triggered, and once they are on their feet, their instincts guide them, leading them to circle for the wind, use cover, key in on perceived dangers, etc. One of the advantages of using an e-call is the ability to cycle through multiple sounds, which increases the chances of finding one that will trigger that coyote. It is why you can play one rabbit distress, and nothing, then you switch to another rabbit distress with a different pitch, and they trigger.

I have called to many coyotes that I saw bedded down, where I play a sound, and they would lift their heads, lose interest, and then lay their heads back down. I start cycling through sounds, hit the right one, and they start coming in. There are other times when no sound will trigger them, at that time and place. I’ve seen the same thing with coyotes that are mousing in fields or responded to my vocals from patches of cover. Sometimes, simply moving a few yards closer can trigger them by getting into their "bubble." I believe the closer you are, the more likely they are to trigger , and they have less time to detect something they don’t like, on the way in.

When setting up, I always analyze the terrain between my location and the area I am targeting. I look for features that might cause coyotes to hang up or serve as territorial boundaries. I survey the terrain with these considerations in mind, make a best guess, and then expect them to come in from where I least expected, lol

Awesome post! Which terrain features would you look for that might cause a coyote to hang up? And which ones might serve as territorial boundaries?

 

[Newpond0]

I believe from what you have shared covers calling quite well. Not to mention a particular coyote's behavior. When I have called. I have tried to keep a low hill top between where I finally nestle in to call. And where I believe a coyote may be at(as long as it hasn't seen me settle in). Then I aim my hand call opening over that hilltop & slightly upwind. From the ground cover where one might be. Reason why I aim my hand call up wind from where one might be is. So the prevailing wind stands a chance to let my sound reach that cover area. When I have called. I try to get within a 1/4 mile of a potential coyote in cover. That is at a crosswind angle from where I'm at. The deeper into a land mass near a coyote. The more at ease a coyote tends to be. Because it can be assumed you are on its known territory. Versus, being on the outer fringe of its territory. Which can make a coyote reluctant or dismissive to respond.

Thank you Joe! I’m going to look for this exact setup and try it. The 1/4 mile, would you say they coyotes territory is more distance related or terrain feature related or if new callers (like myself) discover where they are bedding then how can we get a feel for where exactly a coyotes territory begins and ends? And is it black and white beginnings and endings or are there areas after their territory ends that are kind of caution zones?

 

[Infidel 762]

Awesome post! Which terrain features would you look for that might cause a coyote to hang up? And which ones might serve as territorial boundaries?

I look for things like two track roads, fences, streams, or hard changes in topography like brush lines. I have had them coming in and stop at things like roads or fences, urinate and sit down. But I also believe that on the same setup, under different conditions or a different time they would blow right past it and keep coming. At different times they vary on how they will actually respond, like fishing-sometimes they are biting on every cast other times not.

I also believe they have overlapping territories and have core areas they will defend more aggressively, especially when they have pups. I look at active roads with regular traffic as harder territorial boundaries. Coyotes will travel along roads to look for carrion as well as transients will feel safer traveling them as neutral ground. It is why you will often see coyote scat around the gates as you pull off roads and onto two tracks leading away from the main road.

 

[Infidel 762]

I believe from what you have shared covers calling quite well. Not to mention a particular coyote's behavior. When I have called. I have tried to keep a low hill top between where I finally nestle in to call. And where I believe a coyote may be at(as long as it hasn't seen me settle in). Then I aim my hand call opening over that hilltop & slightly upwind. From the ground cover where one might be. Reason why I aim my hand call up wind from where one might be is. So the prevailing wind stands a chance to let my sound reach that cover area. When I have called. I try to get within a 1/4 mile of a potential coyote in cover. That is at a crosswind angle from where I'm at. The deeper into a land mass near a coyote. The more at ease a coyote tends to be. Because it can be assumed you are on it's known territory. Versus, being on the outer fringe of it's territory. Which can make a coyote reluctant or dismissive to respond.

Yep. I like to get a little closer, I prefer having at least 100 yard buffer to get them stopped if they come hard charging out of the creek bed or wood lot I am targeting. It also depends a lot on the ground level of vegetation I am calling them into. If I can get them to break cover and the ground is bare or grazed off short they are harder to get stopped for a shot. Ideally I prefer to setup around 250 yards off the edges of cover, where I can make a confident shot if they come to the edge and hang up for just look or I have time to get them stopped if they come in hard charging.

If I hear a group howl and pin their location in an area of cover using satellite imagery, I start out subtle and at times they are easier to stop for a shot. Lower volume whimpers or bird distress they tend to come in slower, hunting their way in, with pup fights and distress they tend to come in more fast and aggressive.

Edit to add. If you pay attention to the first stand in the video in this post; How I spent Veterans Day

Look at the windmills in the background, the wind is blowing over my right shoulder out in front of me to the left. The video does not show the terrain features, there is a small stream washed out, snaking out to the area in front of me to the right. It was early morning hours of darkness and they were bedded down in that drainage (you can see the backs of cattle also down in the drainage.) I setup and oriented my rifle to the downwind. The first two stayed low following the drainage and popped up around 100 yards out of the closest leg of the drainage, there is no ground cover makeing it hard to get them to stop for a shot, the first two that came in to lower volume distress I got stopped for a shot, I followed with pup fights and a second came hard charging out of the drainage, I unsuccessfully paused the sound trying to get it stopped. It burned in and out running for the downwind, it even stops to quickly leave scat before it breaks out of sight through the fenceline. Two others were coming in and turned when I woofed and paused the call trying to get the hard charger stopped. While leaving one of them stopped to look back at around 250 yards and I was able to swing on her.

 

[medic joe]

The thing is about coyotes. It is typical of them to prefer high ground versus low ground on a hillside to bed down on. Few choose to bed down on flat land. Unless that is all their territory provides. That being the case. I slink in angled to their up & cross wind areas. 99.9% of the time. They are always bedded down on the down wind side of those hills. Whether the hunter is a caller or spot stalker. Knowing those behavior habits. Is coyote hunting 101. IF...possible that I have permission on all of the land that surrounds them. Then I use the 10:00-2:00 angle. The coyote being the center of a clock dial, wind from the 12:00. As I close the gap on them.

For calling, I prefer in an ideal situation. Is to keep 1 hill between that coyote & myself. Then I'll choose an ideal spot. To call over that hill. So I can see at least 180. Especially to my up/down wind area. Not all coyotes will respond to the down wind on a call sound. They can come from any direction. However, When I spot stalk one that is bedded. I will utilize hills & or other ground cover. As I slowly ease over the last hill crest. Between that bedded coyote & myself for the shot. A fair degree of my stalking of a bedded coyote. Because I did not gain permission to their up wind areas. I was left with their cross wind or even down wind areas. Which enabled the bedded coyote a good chance of seeing me close the gap from long range. ie; Ye old "wind in my face" tactic. Which is the least effective tactic to use on a sleeper coyote of one that may be on a hill side. The two wariest coyotes I've hunted. Were trespasser coyotes & an older territorial alpha female. Because they often have their head up scanning the area around them. As they are bedded down.

 

[hm1996]

Speaking of coyotes' territorial behaviour, here is an informative study:
Coyote Conundrums Shedding Light on Coyote Behavior to Inform More Effective Management

 

[Newpond0]

I look for things like two track roads, fences, streams, or hard changes in topography like brush lines. I have had them coming in and stop at things like roads or fences, urinate and sit down. But I also believe that on the same setup, under different conditions or a different time they would blow right past it and keep coming. At different times they vary on how they will actually respond, like fishing-sometimes they are biting on every cast other times not.

I also believe they have overlapping territories and have core areas they will defend more aggressively, especially when they have pups. I look at active roads with regular traffic as harder territorial boundaries. Coyotes will travel along roads to look for carrion as well as transients will feel safer traveling them as neutral ground. It is why you will often see coyote scat around the gates as you pull off roads and onto two tracks leading away from the main road.

Thank you! If a person wanted to consistently put up bigger numbers, do you feel like calling near those roads where both the territorial coyotes and transients are using and fairly comfortable would be more productive? Or focussing sneaking deeper into their territory closer to the pups?

Part of the reason I ask is my local terrain is extremely thick small hills with the occasional atv path cutting thru. I see rabbit fur filled scats anytime I walk the local atv trails. Lots of coyotes, rabbits, mice, moose, birds, blueberries, and waterholes. Zero farms and almost no wide open spaces except for ankle deep or deeper bogs.

Also I wish I could watch that video but it doesn’t work for me.

 

[Newpond0]

The thing is about coyotes. It is typical of them to prefer high ground versus low ground on a hillside to bed down on. Few choose to bed down on flat land. Unless that is all their territory provides. That being the case. I slink in angled to their up & cross wind areas. 99.9% of the time. They are always bedded down on the down wind side of those hills. Whether the hunter is a caller or spot stalker. Knowing those behavior habits. Is coyote hunting 101. IF...possible that I have permission on all of the land that surrounds them. Then I use the 10:00-2:00 angle. The coyote being the center of a clock dial, wind from the 12:00. As I close the gap on them.

For calling, I prefer in an ideal situation. Is to keep 1 hill between that coyote & myself. Then I'll choose an ideal spot. To call over that hill. So I can see at least 180. Especially to my up/down wind area. Not all coyotes will respond to the down wind on a call sound. They can come from any direction. However, When I spot stalk one that is bedded. I will utilize hills & or other ground cover. As I slowly ease over the last hill crest. Between that bedded coyote & myself for the shot. A fair degree of my stalking of a bedded coyote. Because I did not gain permission to their up wind areas. I was left with their cross wind or even down wind areas. Which enabled the bedded coyote a good chance of seeing me close the gap from long range. ie; Ye old "wind in my face" tactic. Which is the least effective tactic to use on a sleeper coyote of one that may be on a hill side. The two wariest coyotes I've hunted. Were trespasser coyotes & an older territorial alpha female. Because they often have their head up scanning the area around them. As they are bedded down.

Thanks you again Joe , I’m gonna start scouting my area in behind my house hopefully this week and work on your exact tactic until spring and keep you updated. I’ll try find the beds on the upper hillsides first which would have the wind coming from above down into them, and after that work on using these angles to get tight and hunt once i can legally carry the .223 January 1.

 

[Newpond0]

Speaking of coyotes' territorial behaviour, here is an informative study:
Coyote Conundrums Shedding Light on Coyote Behavior to Inform More Effective Management

Thank you!

 

[Infidel 762]

Thank you! If a person wanted to consistently put up bigger numbers, do you feel like calling near those roads where both the territorial coyotes and transients are using and fairly comfortable would be more productive? Or focussing sneaking deeper into their territory closer to the pups?

Part of the reason I ask is my local terrain is extremely thick small hills with the occasional atv path cutting thru. I see rabbit fur filled scats anytime I walk the local atv trails. Lots of coyotes, rabbits, mice, moose, birds, blueberries, and waterholes. Zero farms and almost no wide open spaces except for ankle deep or deeper bogs.

Also I wish I could watch that video but it doesn’t work for me.

People have different hunting methods. Personally, I never approach any hunting location with the intention of achieving higher numbers. My goal is to set up the best stands possible to get the coyotes I call in killed. I avoid making sloppy stands; if the conditions aren't right, I won't call. If the wind is unfavorable, I wait for it to change. If the vegetation is too tall, I return when the crops have been harvested or cattle have grazed it down.

During this time of year, open wheat fields generally do not hold coyotes. However, in late spring, when the wheat reaches knee-height, they will often bed down in those areas. The terrain changes with the seasons, and some locations will hold more coyotes at certain times of the year.

When hunting new properties, I tend to stay closer to the edge on my first time calling it. When I return, I venture further in. For fresh ground, I will often park on the county road and walk about 100 yards down the road, ensuring my truck is not visible in the moonlight. Then, I jump the fence and begin calling right there, provided I have advantageous terrain features in front of me.

I like to scout out my set-ups in daylight and drop pins, then at night go straight to those pins. But I stay flexible, while hunting if I hear them howl and I have access to that area I try to move on them. I can scout a lot from the road, even if I dont plan on making stands in precise fields, i make mental notes on how tall the cover is using visual markers like cattle or round bales. If i look out over a field and the grass is over a cows belly i make a mental not that field will be difficult to see a coyote you call in unless you find a bowl to call them into with elevation for you to setup on.

 

[spotstalkshoot]

In my area during the day(winter when standing crops are gone) I often find coyote out on flats in the middle of sections DURING very low almost still wind conditions. The slack wind needs to start a couple hours before sunrise to find them on the flats. Winds that change direction during the day are troubling to coyote and I find them in odd(less predictable) locations. I would rather have a south wind and have to deal with looking into the sun than have a wind direction change. A south wind is really tough look between 11am and 1 pm. Only shape(form of a coyote off it's feet) to go by. Need to be able to see an ear, otherwise it's just a walk since I don't skin rocks. My Meopta spotting scope allows me to see an eye out past a 1/2 mile when there isn't alot of mirage.

 

[derbyacresbob]

I also believe they have overlapping territories and have core areas they will defend more aggressively, especially when they have pups.

I agree with the overlapping territories. Over the years quite a few times on one stand I have seen 3 or 4 single coyotes come in from different directions quite a few minutes apart. When coyotes come in with their hackles up I think they are expecting to see another coyote.
IMG_0551 - Copy by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156463377@N08/, on Flickr

Back in the mid 1980's when if first started trapping coyotes I caught 33 coyotes in one spot in a little over 2 months. The place I caught all of those coyotes was a bone yard about 600 yards from a ranch house and corrals. Many times during those two months I thought I wasn't going to catch anymore coyotes there and 4 or 5 days later I would find two coyotes in my traps.

At many other trap locations after not catching any coyotes after 5 to 10 days I would find two coyotes caught in my traps. I started thinking that two or more coyotes together may explore into new areas more than just a single coyote.

Many times I have found coyote scat with juniper berries, grapes or carrots in them that are 4 miles or more away from any junipers, vineyards or carrot fields.

Some of the places I call in coyotes have no cover at all so I try to travel into these areas straight against the wind. So the scent and sound of my truck goes behind me, not in front of me.
IMG_2702 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156463377@N08/, on Flickr
The coyote in the above picture was at least two miles away from any cover.

IMG_0260 - Copy by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156463377@N08/, on Flickr
In this open country picture you can see the rancher's son laying down with a shotgun on the left with my Foxpro caller in the middle and a coyote coming in from the right.

 

[Newpond0]

I believe from what you have shared covers calling quite well. Not to mention a particular coyote's behavior. When I have called. I have tried to keep a low hill top between where I finally nestle in to call. And where I believe a coyote may be at(as long as it hasn't seen me settle in). Then I aim my hand call opening over that hilltop & slightly upwind. From the ground cover where one might be. Reason why I aim my hand call up wind from where one might be is. So the prevailing wind stands a chance to let my sound reach that cover area. When I have called. I try to get within a 1/4 mile of a potential coyote in cover. That is at a crosswind angle from where I'm at. The deeper into a land mass near a coyote. The more at ease a coyote tends to be. Because it can be assumed you are on it's known territory. Versus, being on the outer fringe of it's territory. Which can make a coyote reluctant or dismissive to respond.

Joe I drew a few diagrams at home of what I think your setup is, and I’m trying to figure out the hill…the hill you like to keep between you and the coyote…this hill is downwind of the coyote but way to the side at the 10:00 or 2:00 angle and you are calling into the wind, is that correct? OR are you on the other side of the coyotes hill?(you on the upwind side and the coyote is on the downwind side)

 

[medic joe]

Joe I drew a few diagrams at home of what I think your setup is, and I’m trying to figure out the hill…the hill you like to keep between you and the coyote…this hill is downwind of the coyote but way to the side at the 10:00 or 2:00 angle and you are calling into the wind, is that correct? OR are you on the other side of the coyotes hill?(you on the upwind side and the coyote is on the downwind side)

You are misunderstanding me. Take this as an "example". Imagine the face of a clock dial; Wind is from the 12:00 blowing to 6:00. The coyote is the "center" of the clock dial. I sneak in from the coyote's 10:00 or 2:00 angle. Which puts ME. Up & crosswind from the coyote. Thus, the coyote can NOT see me NOR scent me. The only hurdle I would need to over come then is. Remaining quiet so the coyote can not HEAR me draw near. I utilize that same plan/tactic. Whether I'm stalking a coyote or calling a cover area. NOW take this example; When calling I try to get within 1/4 mile from where a coyote may be in cover. Rather than exposing myself to that cover. In a perfect World. I would have a low hill between me & that cover area. So in essence, I'm still up & cross wind from that cover area.

Now using the same clock dial & angles of approach(up & cross wind). For example; IF the wind was from 3:00 blowing towards 9:00. The coyote still being the center of the clock dial. My angles of approach. Would then be 1:00 or 5:00 angle. Thus, I would still be up & cross wind from the coyote or call area cover. As I closed the gap. Get me?

 

[Newpond0]

You are misunderstanding me. Take this as an "example". Imagine the face of a clock dial; Wind is from the 12:00 blowing to 6:00. The coyote is the "center" of the clock dial. I sneak in from the coyote's 10:00 or 2:00 angle. Which puts ME. Up & crosswind from the coyote. Thus, the coyote can NOT see me NOR scent me. The only hurdle I would need to over come then is. Remaining quiet so the coyote can not HEAR me draw near. I utilize that same plan/tactic. Whether I'm stalking a coyote or calling a cover area. NOW take this example; When calling I try to get within 1/4 mile from where a coyote may be in cover. Rather than exposing myself to that cover. In a perfect World. I would have a low hill between me & that cover area. So in essence, I'm still up & cross wind from that cover area.

Now using the same clock dial & angles of approach(up & cross wind). For example; IF the wind was from 3:00 blowing towards 9:00. The coyote still being the center of the clock dial. My angles of approach. Would then be 1:00 or 5:00 angle. Thus, I would still be up & cross wind from the coyote or call area cover. As I closed the gap. Get me?

Yes I get the angles, but what I wasn’t getting was the calling into the wind part combined with the keeping a hill in front.

In one of your posts it talked about calling into the wind from your position, and combined with the hill I thought if you’re at the 10 or 2 angle as you said plus keeping a hill between the coyote, then you would be up and cross wind but the calling into the wind didn’t seem to fit, unless the sound is blowing out say back towards 12 and then getting caught by the wind and blown back towards the coyote.

Edit: maybe where I’m getting confused is assuming the coyote is on the higher part of a hill to start with. 10 or 2 means your slightly higher on the hill OR the hilltop OR the other side of the hill OR behind a 2nd hill

 

[medic joe]

Yes I get the angles, but what I wasn’t getting was the calling into the wind part combined with the keeping a hill in front.

In one of your posts it talked about calling into the wind from your position, and combined with the hill I thought if you’re at the 10 or 2 angle as you said plus keeping a hill between the coyote, then you would be up and cross wind but the calling into the wind didn’t seem to fit, unless the sound is blowing out say back towards 12 and then getting caught by the wind and blown back towards the coyote.

Edit: maybe where I’m getting confused is assuming the coyote is on the higher part of a hill to start with. 10 or 2 means your slightly higher on the hill OR the hilltop OR the other side of the hill OR behind a 2nd hill

View attachment 12229

The timber is to my crosswind. I would aim my e-caller horn or hand call opening. Slightly up wind of the stand of timber. In hopes of getting some of my call sound. To cut through the cross wind(especially a stout cross wind). And reach the farthest "up wind" portion of that timber. Because a cross wind will diminish sound waves from traveling a straight line. ie; Wind carries sound, better down wind. Versus carrying sound, through a cross wind.

 

[Newpond0]

The timber is to my crosswind. I would aim my e-caller horn or hand call opening. Slightly up wind of the stand of timber. In hopes of getting some of my call sound. To cut through the cross wind(especially a stout cross wind). And reach the farthest "up wind" portion of that timber. Because a cross wind will diminish sound waves from traveling a straight line. ie; Wind carries sound, better down wind. Versus carrying sound, through a cross wind.

Got it, thank you Joe

 

[medic joe]

Got it, thank you Joe

ok, good luck.