Predator Hunting – A Sure Cure For Cabin Fever

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

By Jake Powell, Wildlife Biologist
Idaho Department of Fish and Game – Southwest Region

I had been on stand only a few minutes, and the last cries had barely left my call when I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. Not one, but two big desert dogs were loping toward my location from almost a half-mile out. They paused about 100 yards away, looking intently for the wounded rabbit I had been imitating. Hunting with my shotgun that day, I knew that I must coax them closer. As I reached my hand down to grasp my squeaker call, the lead dog caught the slight movement. But perfectly concealed in the sagebrush in good camouflage, I remained undetected as the coyote bolted toward me, certain the movement he glimpsed was his next meal. The second coyote remained nearly 30 yards behind the first. Intent on taking both animals, I had to wait until the lead dog was almost breathing down my neck. As he approached to within only five yards, I raised my 12-gauge.
Predator hunting – whether for coyotes, foxes, lions or wolves – is an exciting and enjoyable way to spend the winter months. Coyotes and their habitats are essentially unlimited in southwest Idaho. They can be found occupying deserts, farmland, and foothills anywhere from the Oregon and Nevada lines to timberline in the Sawtooth Mountains.
Private lands are good places to hunt, provided these lands and their owners are treated with respect. Remember that landowners may be willing to let you hunt coyotes even if they don’t allow other types of hunting on their property. Always ask permission in advance; don’t go knocking on doors at six in the morning, in full camouflage, and expect a welcome reception. Good maps showing land ownership are essential. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) maps are the best I’ve found for showing topographical detail and land ownership. Additionally, calling coyotes or other predators is a great way to become more familiar with your favorite deer hunting area.
Any type of firearm is suitable for coyote hunting. Shotguns loaded with #2 shot (or larger) are great for fast action in timber or heavy cover. Flat-shooting centerfire rifles in .20, .22 or .24 calibers are excellent choices for open country. Hunting with your favorite deer rifle is also a good way to practice and get more comfortable with your big game rifle and ammunition. Shooting sticks or a bipod are an absolute necessity to make accurate shots. Bowhunting for coyotes is also enjoyable, although I have found it difficult to come to full draw on a coyote standing within bow range.
Foxes will readily come to predator calls, and in some areas are more abundant than their larger cousins. You are more likely to find foxes in the valleys near agriculture fields, although I have seen them in the Boise National Forest and far into the Owyhee desert.
In open country, coyotes will answer a call from more than a mile away; in timber or dense cover, this distance is reduced. I normally don’t spend more than ten or fifteen minutes at a stand when calling coyotes. They can cover a mile in a matter of minutes. If I am hunting in bobcat country however, I stay at least 45 minutes to an hour on the stand and pass up any curious coyotes. Bobcats are both meticulous and patient, and will take their time coming to a call.
Mountain lions can also be successfully called in, but as with bobcat calling, a hunter must be willing to stay on stand for at least an hour. Many times, a lion or bobcat will sneak in to a call and go unnoticed as they observe the caller. I’m convinced that mountain lions have eyesight rivaled only by pronghorn or bighorn sheep – they are incredible at spotting the slightest movement. Hunting in areas with fresh lion sign will greatly improve your odds of calling in a big cat.
Hunting with a buddy is a good way to fool coyotes or other predators. In a typical scenario, one person (the shooter) sets up 50 yards or so in front of the caller, getting into shooting position even while the coyote is focused on the caller’s position. Or one person can take a rifle for long shots, while the other brings a shotgun for close encounters.
It is imperative to have the wind in your face while calling coyotes and to pick your stand carefully. A good stand is one with a commanding view of the surrounding country; you want to see your quarry coming before it sees you. Hunting in heavy cover can be a wild card as I’ve had coyotes literally in my lap before they were spotted.
Good camouflage (especially on the hands and face) and sitting perfectly still are necessary when calling predators. A sitting pad will make stands more comfortable, especially if the ground is wet or snowy. I prefer to hunt coyotes the old-fashioned way, with a ten-dollar mouth call, imitating either a cottontail or jackrabbit, although electronic calls are becoming quite popular in part because they offer the advantage of placing the speaker away from the caller. Because coyotes are territorial, calls that imitate their vocalizations are also good tools for duping coyotes into range, especially during late winter when they are forming pair bonds and mating.
Wolves can also be successfully called in with an array of predator and game calls. However, due to the low wolf densities and the vast territory a pack inhabits, “blind” calling will likely produce unfavorable results. To successfully call in wolves, it is best to locate them first, either by listening for howling or by locating fresh sign. It has been my experience when calling wolves, that the younger animals are slightly more aggressive and naïve and are typically the first to respond to calls. If you are interested in a trophy wolf, it may be to your advantage to pass up these youngsters and wait for the adults to come in. Good deer hunting calibers are also good choices for wolf hunting, while magnum calibers are probably overkill as most wolves weigh less than 100 lbs. on average.
My first predator calling experience occurred in 1987, when I lured in a red fox. I have been a big fan of predator calling ever since. Predator hunting is a great cure for the winter doldrums and a good excuse to get out, stretch your legs, and see some new country. Good luck and have fun this winter.

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Jake lion 2.jpg: Predators, including mountain lions can be called in by the hunter with the patience needed to glimpse them. Photo Credit: Jake Powell