How to Call Coyotes Like a Pro

If you’re looking to have success when you go on a coyote hunt, you’ll first want to learn how to call coyotes. Coyotes are creatures that respond well to calls, and your best chance for a successful hunt is to lure them to you using calls.

How do you go about learning how to call coyotes? We’ve got you covered — read on to check out our guide to calling coyotes like a pro!

Coyote Calling Sequence and Frequency

Thanks to modern technology and the ease of use found in coyote calling devices available on the market, it’s easier than ever to make some great coyote calls. However, if you really want to master the art of coyote calling, you’ll need to understand the psychology of coyotes so that you know which call to use in which circumstance. These calling patterns are referred to as coyote calling sequences.

What’s the Best Sequence?

The first rule of coyote calling is that you should mix up your sequences so that you can successfully lure in a curious coyote. Coyotes are intelligent creatures and throughout the years they’ve learned to pick up on artificial calls when utilized incorrectly.

Because of this, you want to create a natural-sounding “scenario” that will lure the coyotes in. In a way, you can create a situation that will have the coyote curious, angry, or hungry, which is when their guard will be down and you will be able to strike. All of this can be done with coyote calling, which is why it’s such a valuable skill to learn.

To start off, it’s recommended that you use a lone howl with low frequency, a high pitch, and a long duration. This will draw in the largest crowd of coyotes to your area, as they will be curious and less likely to be intimidated.

After that, you may want to try out some whines and yelps. This call will trigger many behaviors at once, including territorial instincts, parental instincts, and more. It’s a versatile call that will not only draw coyotes towards you, but more importantly, it will keep you from scaring any coyotes off.

Picking the right sequence is all about the time of year you’re hunting, the location you’re in, and the environment around you. Experiment with some different options and see what works for you — coyote calling is a bit of an instinct that you’ll learn over time.

 

How Often Should I Call?

By far the biggest mistake that new coyote hunters make is calling too often or too little. If you call too often, you’re at risk of scaring off a coyote, and if you call too little, you won’t be able to entice the coyote to come your way.

If you’re in an open area, you’ll want to rely on louder and longer calling sequences. On the contrary, if you’re in a closed-off area, a long and loud string of calls may scare away coyotes from your area.

At the end of the day, it’s something that you’ll need to experiment with until you get a feel for it. Experience is the best teacher in all aspects of hunting, and coyote calling is no exception. Try some things out, identify patterns that are working and adjust your strategy each time you go out into the field.

The Best Coyote Calls

As mentioned earlier, there are a few different coyote calling sequences that you can utilize for a successful hunt.

Whines and Yelps

Whine and yelp calls are something that you should include in every single coyote calling sequence. Coyote family bonds are strong (especially during the spring), which is why the idea of a lost or distressed puppy is such a powerful tactic to utilize against coyotes. It’s the perfect way to trigger the parental, territorial, and social instincts of any coyote. As you go about whining and yelping, try to increase the volume and intensity as you go for a few series in order to reach out to any coyotes that may be out in the distance.

Howls

When it comes to howling, use this simple formula for success — locate coyotes with a group-yip howl and then call them into range with a lone howl. A loud long-range howl is likely to get a howl back in return but is unlikely to draw a coyote in. By using this strategy, you can locate the coyotes and then slowly bait them to you with some softer solo calls.

Challenge

The challenge call is the riskiest call for a coyote hunter to try out, but if used correctly, it can provide some great results. If you’re are too aggressive with a challenge call, you can scare them away. However, if you’re set up in the core territory of a pack or near a coyote den, a challenge call can work wonders towards drawing in a pack of angry dogs.

Prey Distress

Coyotes may not be the bravest animals, but they will come to you if they think that there’s a chance of taking down some distressed prey. If a coyote is feeling unpressured and safe, it will come in quickly to any distress call without thinking twice. But, if the coyote is sensing some danger, a distress call will cause it to wait downwind and sniff out the situation before coming your way. If you’re going to make a distress call, be prepared to stay put for a while, because a cautious coyote can take up to an hour before feeling comfortable approaching your stand.

Tips for Calling Coyotes at Night

Wondering how to call coyotes at night? While the main strategy remains the same, there are a few adjustments you should make to give yourself better odds of success once the sun goes down.

Quiet is Better

Once the sun goes down, the wind usually calms down with it. This will project your coyote calls throughout the night, meaning that you don’t need to be as loud with your calls. Start with a high-pitched howl, and then switch to some low-volume distress sounds in order to get the best results. Your call noise will travel well, so don’t overdo it!

Stay Downwind

Throughout the night, a coyote will travel slowly and almost entirely downwind. Pick a hunting spot that is downwind of where you expect the dogs to come so that you can be properly prepared for the moment when it comes.

Don’t Forget the Varmint Hunter’s Best Friend

Want one final tip to help you with a successful coyote hunt? Hunt with a suppressor from Silencer Central. Our suppressors will protect your ears and help you maintain the element of surprise during your hunt, giving you better odds of success when you take the field. Learn more about how a Silencer Central suppressor can help you on your next coyote hunt today!

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