Calling coyotes is a challenging and rewarding pursuit that demands patience, skill, and a deep understanding of coyote behavior. While there's no single "best" time guaranteed to produce results, understanding coyote activity patterns significantly increases your chances of success. This guide delves into the optimal times of day for calling coyotes, considering various factors influencing their response.
Understanding Coyote Behavior
Before diving into optimal calling times, understanding coyote behavior is crucial. Coyotes are crepuscular animals, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. This is when they are most likely to be hunting, traveling, and interacting with their environment, making these periods prime calling times. However, other factors play a role.
Factors Influencing Coyote Response to Calls:
- Season: Coyote activity varies throughout the year. During breeding season (typically late winter and early spring), coyotes are more vocal and territorial, potentially increasing their responsiveness to calls. Conversely, during the hottest summer months, they might be less active during the day.
- Weather: Inclement weather, such as heavy rain or snow, can significantly reduce coyote activity. Conversely, mild and clear conditions often lead to increased movement and vocalizations.
- Moon Phase: While not as significant as other factors, some hunters believe that a full moon can influence coyote activity, potentially increasing their nocturnal movements and making nighttime calling more effective.
- Location: The specific habitat and available prey significantly impact coyote behavior. Areas with abundant prey might see more daytime activity, while areas with less prey might push coyotes towards more crepuscular hunting.
Optimal Calling Times: Dawn and Dusk
As mentioned earlier, dawn and dusk (crepuscular hours) are generally considered the best times to call coyotes. During these periods, the light levels are changing, creating opportunities for coyotes to hunt more effectively while also increasing their vocalizations to communicate with other pack members.
Dawn Calling:
- Pros: Coyotes are often hungry after a night of activity and are more likely to be actively searching for food. The cooler temperatures are also more favorable for their activity levels.
- Cons: There may be increased human activity in some areas as people start their day, which could potentially disturb coyotes.
Dusk Calling:
- Pros: Similar to dawn, coyotes are likely hunting to prepare for the night. The decreasing light provides better concealment for the hunter.
- Cons: Depending on location, there can be increased human activity as people return home from work or other activities.
Beyond Dawn and Dusk: Exploring Alternative Calling Times
While dawn and dusk remain the preferred times, certain situations might warrant exploring alternative calling times:
Night Calling:
- Pros: Effective during full moon phases or in areas with abundant nocturnal prey. Night calling provides a level of concealment, benefiting experienced hunters.
- Cons: Requires additional safety precautions, specialized equipment (like night vision), and a higher degree of patience.
Midday Calling:
- Pros: Can be surprisingly effective during hot summer months, when coyotes seek shade and are less active during the hottest parts of the day. It offers a unique approach when fewer hunters are likely active.
- Cons: Less likely to produce results compared to dawn and dusk calls due to lower coyote activity levels.
Conclusion: Adaptability and Experience are Key
Ultimately, the best time to call coyotes is highly context-dependent. Successful coyote calling requires observing patterns in your specific hunting location and adapting your strategy accordingly. Experience, patience, and understanding coyote behavior will significantly improve your chances of success, regardless of the time of day. Always prioritize safety and ethical hunting practices.
