I've hunted predators on open rolling hills since the early 60's. Sometimes that terrain consisted of timber strips or what I refer to as patches of timber(1 acre or so of timber). It is a well know fact. That coyotes spend the vast majority of their time on the down wind slopes of a hill. Whether it is open ground or has ground cover such as timber, tall grasses, ect. While they are bedded down. They will often raise their head & pan around. To their down & cross wind areas. Almost "always" a coyote will either lay right below the ridge line or around 1/2 down the side of that hill slope.
Sneaking in on a previously sighted coyote. Or sneaking in to call area with ground cover. Walking in with the "wind on your face". Should be that hunters very last option. Because there is a very good chance. Once that hunter crests the last ridgeline between him & the coyote. That hunter will be seen.
I've hunted two North central states. One state I've hunted a three county area. Which is mostly open rolling hills. I only know of 1 caller in those areas. All the other coyote hunters are spot/stalkers. I have met quite a few of them over the years. Some of those spot/stalkers were old guys like myself. They slink into an area on sighted bedded/sleeper coyote. On that coyote's cross wind. On the opposite crosswind. Of which direction that coyote's face is facing. ie; That coyote is facing West. They sneak in East of that coyote.
I will say this. Once in a while. A hunter can get away. With walking into a call area(wind in his face) or sneaking in on a sleeper coyote. That is bedding down on a hillside. Provided that coyote hunter. Remains hidden from that coyotes view the whole way in.
I've spot/stalked hundreds of Red Fox & coyotes. That I knew where they were laying. Have I snuck in, with the old "wind in my face?" I have, BUT only as my last option. BECAUSE I did not have permission on adjoining land surrounding that Red Fox or coyote.
Ideally, I prefer to sneak in angled up wind & cross wind. From a bedded down coyote. Because when I crest the last hill top separating us. It is cross & down wind from me. Thus, it does not know I'm even looking at it for my shot. Provided it didn't hear me as I closed the gap.
Sneaking in on a previously sighted coyote. Or sneaking in to call area with ground cover. Walking in with the "wind on your face". Should be that hunters very last option. Because there is a very good chance. Once that hunter crests the last ridgeline between him & the coyote. That hunter will be seen.
I've hunted two North central states. One state I've hunted a three county area. Which is mostly open rolling hills. I only know of 1 caller in those areas. All the other coyote hunters are spot/stalkers. I have met quite a few of them over the years. Some of those spot/stalkers were old guys like myself. They slink into an area on sighted bedded/sleeper coyote. On that coyote's cross wind. On the opposite crosswind. Of which direction that coyote's face is facing. ie; That coyote is facing West. They sneak in East of that coyote.
I will say this. Once in a while. A hunter can get away. With walking into a call area(wind in his face) or sneaking in on a sleeper coyote. That is bedding down on a hillside. Provided that coyote hunter. Remains hidden from that coyotes view the whole way in.
I've spot/stalked hundreds of Red Fox & coyotes. That I knew where they were laying. Have I snuck in, with the old "wind in my face?" I have, BUT only as my last option. BECAUSE I did not have permission on adjoining land surrounding that Red Fox or coyote.
Ideally, I prefer to sneak in angled up wind & cross wind. From a bedded down coyote. Because when I crest the last hill top separating us. It is cross & down wind from me. Thus, it does not know I'm even looking at it for my shot. Provided it didn't hear me as I closed the gap.
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