Coyotes are extremely smart animals with keen eyesight and an extremely strong sense of smell. Catching one of these creatures can earn hunters a badge of honor in the sportsmen community. Located in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central America, coyotes tend to live in the country side, but are learning to adapt to city life as humans continue to move into their habitats.
Variables to Consider When Hunting Coyote
Location: Coyotes tend to live and hunt in areas with plenty of small game animals such as birds, mice, and vermin. Brushy areas near creaks or swampy marshes land can be some of the best locations for finding coyote. Some of the best states for Coyote hunting include Nevada, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming.
Solunar Calendar: According to a theory laid out by John Alden Knight in 1926, animal movement is affected by the position and fullness of the moon. This theory was said to be used by hunters and fishermen long before Knight’s theory was published and is still widely accepted and adopted today.
Time of Year: Coyotes can be hunted throughout most of the year, however, the best time of year for hunting coyote falls during the winter seasons. As winter progresses, coyotes become less nocturnal in their search for food. They also tend to travel together more in the winter than they do in the warmer seasons.
Time of Day: Coyotes are nocturnal hunters by nature, making dawn and dusk the optimal hunting times as they head out in search of food. Night hunting is also becoming more popular as this is the time when coyotes tend to be most active, however their activity during the day increases as it gets colder.
Temperature: Temperature has a great deal of impact on the movement of Coyotes. However, as a general rule of thumb, cooler is better when hunting coyotes. Experts say temperatures between 20 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit make for the most ideal conditions.
Barometric Pressure: Barometric pressure also affects coyote activity. As barometric pressures rise following the passing of a front, your chances of spotting a coyote on the move also increases. However, the calm before a front also makes for optimal coyote hunting, given that there isn't a strong wind.
General Weather Conditions: The best weather conditions for coyote hunting are overcast days with a slight fog or haze. It seems that coyotes tend to be more active during the day in these conditions. However, clear conditions can also make for good hunting days, if the temperature is cool and the wind is calm.
Wind: Wind is one of the most important factors to consider when hunting coyote. Wind strength between 0-5mph is ideal, while anything over 20mph is disastrous. Because of Coyotes' strong sense of smell, you might as well stay home when the winds are too strong.
Want To Find The Best Hunting Times For Hunting Coyote?
Technology is often to blame for keeping people isolated and cooped up indoors. At HuntWise, we aim to provide digital tools that get our users off the couch and into the great outdoors. As the digital backbone to the hunting and fishing industry, Sportsman Tracker is dedicated to creating great hunting experiences for sportsmen across the country.