Best time of day to hunt yotes

[Broncorckcrwlr]

Like some others here I am about to start hunting coyotes seriously but have no knowledge of their habits. Is there a particular time of day that they seem to be out and about more? Also, while looking around in the Sportsmans store today I saw a light for hunting at night. Is this legal? Does it work? Anyone ever use one? Just curious since they usually wake me up at nite howling so I know they are out then. One last thing for now, do coyotes stay around the same area as long as they have food or are they a traveling animal?

[Jimmie in Ky]

Hunting at night is illegal in Ky. We are at present hunting during daylight hours only.

They are most active during the early morning and late afternoon hours. With occasional movement during the midday , why no one is sure yet. So they can be taken all day if your lucky. Especially during mild overcast days or extremely cold days.

Coyotes are territorial animals.They stake out a territory for keeps against all comers and will maintain this area as long as the pair remains together.They mate for life. Territory size depends on how high the population is in your part of the state. Most areas of the state have territories of about 20 square miles per group. Group is led by the alpha pair. There is one part of the territory ,perhaps two places ,where they hole up during the day. Key's to locating this area depend on time of year. During the winter months they will be located in heavy cover on a southern slope. This is usually some where close to the center of the territory but not always. To locate this area listen for them at sundown or look for the most tracks you can find going in all directions from one area.

That should give you an idea of why they are so hard to find. Not all places that look good should be hunted. Base where you hunt on the most sign available and not on hear say. Folks will tell you they hear them all the time.One day they leave the bedding area one way and the next another. My local groups were moving early today, they were in earshot of the house at sundown. Jimmie

[Snareman2]

Yeah, you can't hunt them at night.

Best time to call is between first light and around 09:00 in morning, probably January or February. The colder the better, makes them get out and hunt more.

[matrobw]

Jan - Mar is when they breed so that is a good time to be out there. Female interrogation howls with a mixture of cottontail distress works great. I have found that during jan-mar they will be responsive to calls all day. During the rest of the year it is usually better early morning and before dark. Just be ready, they will show up out of nowhere and disappear if they see you.

Same holds true for bobcats but to even a higher level. They are one tricky animal to get close.

[Broncorckcrwlr]

Thanks for the replies. I hope to get out and start trying to find some after all the deer hunters get out of the woods.