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Re: howling when using distress?
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:02 am
by Nodak72

Thank's to all that was A world of knowledge! one thing I have found out with the short time I have been calling is it"s hard to damn near impossible to pinpoint or anticipate what A coyote is going to do! but, the information I get from coyotehunter.net sure help's! (p.s. good luck with the walleye's jerry)
Re: howling when using distress?
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:52 am
by Jerry Hunsley
Jamie, that was good information. I have found that even in low population conditions they will respond to the howl , maybe not vocally ,but they still will come to the howl. Maybe not aggressive but they still will come to investigate. I have had yoy year come to the howl before. I have had the young ones come to howl using the dog ,but Mother wasn't too far behind. Those are isolated instances I must say. Just when you think you have them buggers figured out, they throw another wrench at you. A couple winters ago early in the season, I howled and spotted a coyote about a quarter mile away. My dog spotted him and went out like he is supposed to. When the coyote spotted him , she came trotting in slowly in a non aggressive mode,like who are you. I think she was looking for companionship more that anything. My dog made a couple runs and bang it was all over. I realize we are talking generals here and you are right as far as I have read and discussed with other knowleadable people. Perhaps that female was a non-breeder transient coyote. Who knows.
You are right about just using a few vocals to be successful for the average caller. You don't have to get fancy. For those tough ole dogs , there might be a time element on your howling and using different techniques. I leave that for the ADC people that have developed those techiques and sequences. Just from my observance point, I have taken coyotes by simply waiting them out until their curiosity gets the best of them. When they do come in , it is in a very caution mode, like peaking just barely over a hill. Sometimes it may take over an hour,but who wants to wait that long. I do when I'm by myself and the elements aren't so harsh. The older you get the worse your circulation is. Patience is a key element if you have the time. It is pretty satisfying when you finally get one of those coyotes in after spending so much time on stand. I'm sure you have learned a few techniques in your line of work. Will we ever know what all the vocalizations in a coyotes vocabulary? Probably not. There has been lots of studies out there, from different parts of the States. Comparing findings from one State to the other would not be a fair comparison. Sometimes I think people over-analize things not even knowing they are. For the average caller, stick to the basics and that will work for you. When you start over-analizing a person starts getting screwed up . Just go out and have fun , kill a few, laugh about the ones you shoulda, coulda, woulda, had. In June, I should have some video stuff , if things work out.
Re: howling when using distress?
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:20 am
by LeviM
Jerry Hunsley wrote:When you start over-analizing a person starts getting screwed up . Just go out and have fun , kill a few, laugh about the ones you shoulda, coulda, woulda, had. In June, I should have some video stuff , if things work out.
Great info Jerry, Its great reading all the info some of you guys have obtain about coyotes!! You hit the nail on the head, with just have fun! Once you start making work out it, and get fustrated it can get real fustrating and overwhelming fast.
Re: howling when using distress?
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:44 pm
by Mountainman
All great information (even on wallys). I would like to add one more thing. Scouting. Knowing the territory to include what's living there helps a lot. I may use just prey distress calls, or just howls, or start with a howl, use a hunting call, and then a prey call. All depends on what I have found during my scouting and time of the year. I agree with everything that I read prior to my input. I have even use a magpie call and had a coyote come in. So I guess what is important is keep trying and never get discouraged. And if at all possible, scout out your areas.
Re: howling when using distress?
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 4:40 am
by Jerry Hunsley
Your right Mountain man. How many times have you had magpies come in to distress sounds. I betting a lot of times. Just like ringing the door bell. Your right on with knowing the territory and scouting if possible. Most of you know that you can call and kill coyotes from the same stand from year to year. I have had places that I sit by for lots of years that still produce. Crow calls also work. Just like ringing the dinner bell for coyotes also.
Re: howling when using distress?
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:49 pm
by RandyRoede
ND72, the answer to your question is NO, there is no advantage to starting a set in that timeframe with a howl. Anything you may gain on one set you will lose on another and another and another. Some coyotes fear coyotes, some avoid other coyotes, and a few agressive coyotes will respond, go with the majority , those super agressive will still come to distress.
That is of course unless you are using a WILEY ONE HOWLER then they all come!!!!!! Jerry remember my 10%!!!!!!!
Re: howling when using distress?
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:16 pm
by Nodak72
You know, this is what I like about this web site the information on here is

"AWESOME"!!!

Thank's to everyone who replied to this thread, I learned A lot and will put that information to good use in the fall!
Re: howling when using distress?
Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 11:25 am
by Mountainman
The one thing I have learned during my years of hunting is to never say "NO". I have been told that turkeys will "never" come into a call in the fall. Well I have. When the elk "cow call" first came out, I was told a bull elk won't come in - bunk! Each and every hunter has his/her way of doing things that someone else thinks is wrong. Well, all I can say is if you think it is wrong then don't do it. For me, I use all of available information I can get, and then adapt to my situation or location. What works is what I use. If I get to a place where I know from my scouting has shown that there is no sign of jack rabbits, why would I use a jack rabbit distress call? All coyotes howl, whine, bark, etc. If you don't want to do the same, that is up to you; but for me, I'll use whatever is needed to have a successful hunt.
Re: howling when using distress?
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:35 am
by Coyotehunter
This is why I go back to letting the coyotes tell you what they want to hear. Coyote densities in my opinion have a lot to do with how coyotes will approach a stand. It is not everything but it does have a huge effect. As a general rule the higher the density the more vocal they are and aggresive towards food. You will see this a lot in trapping. When there is high competition for food you will see more gorging as well. I use Distres sounds of non-native animals with great effect in areas that coyotes have never seen or heard before. Grey fox pups distress works in North Dakota and Texas, Snow Shoe Hare works in Arizona and Minnesota. You will never go wrong with a distress sound. I have called in coyotes with a jack rabbit distress in July on a 100 deg day before but typically I have better results with vocalizations that time of year. Same is true for Dec. and Jan., use the right call for the time of year, know your coyote population and stay on location. The coyotes will tell you what they want.
Re: howling when using distress?
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:06 am
by Mountainman
Thanks, CH. I think that puts it in a nutshell, and I totally agree. I don't have the same amount of experience coyote hunting as I have hunting other species, but the principles seem to be the same. And all animals need the same three ingredients: food source, security, and water. Calling concentrates on food source (prey distress calls) and security (vocalization). If I could only learn how to sound like bubbling water, I would have it made.
Re: howling when using distress?
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:41 am
by LeviM
Jamie and Brad have drilled in my head, location! Once you get that figured out, it only gets easier!
Re: howling when using distress?
Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 12:43 pm
by Mountainman
Right. One other reason that on some of my stands I will start with a coyote call is that from the middle of April until November (and sometimes later) we have a great number of grizzles roaming the area. I know that this doesn't apply to all of you hunters, but I haven't seen any BIG bears come into my calls when I start this way. I would rather deal with an aggressive coyote than an aggressive bear or worse a mom with a couple of cubs looking for a meal. I shouldn't worry - I too skinny to make a decent meal.
Re: howling when using distress?
Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 1:41 pm
by Dcoy
I hear ya there.Had enough encounters with those SOBs in my lifetime.
Re: howling when using distress?
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 1:25 pm
by coyotelatrans
I find certain series to be of real value certain coyote vocals with certain distress sounds laid out in a manner "most" coyotes will find appealing.