Coyote Hunting At Night

By: Todd Sullivan
Dog Breath Coyote Calls

Night hunting laws can vary greatly. Please check your state and local hunting laws before hunting at night.

Hunting coyotes at night can be very effective and challenging at the same time.

Some of the advantages for night hunting coyotes include:

• Coyotes and other predators are more active at night. They're usually on the move in search of prey for their next meal. This can be an advantage when using a distress call.
• Human activity is low and coyotes feel more secure and less cautious and may respond to calling with less apprehension.
• Often times, the wind is lower at night making it less likely that a coyote will detect your scent. Although, you still need to be concerned with wind direction.

Now the disadvantages:

• You can't see as far at night and target identification can be difficult.
• There is always a safety issue at night especially if you're hunting with partners.
• Usually you will have to carry more gear such as batteries and lights making your movement a little more difficult.
• If your light goes out or your batteries go dead your hunt is over.
• You will need to call the coyotes in much closer because safe shot distances are much less compared to daytime hunting.

The gear:

Most hunters will use some type of red light which will reflect off the coyote's retina.

Although some hunters will disagree, white light tends to spook coyotes. Lights can vary from handheld spotlights and flashlights to gun and scope mounted lights or large spotlights mounted on vehicles.

If hunting with a rifle I prefer to use a scope mounted light. A light mounted on a rifle this way will allow you to scan the area with the light and be ready to shoot when the time is right. When using a shotgun I prefer to use a head mounted light positioned so that when sighting down the barrel I can see the coyote and the sight beads at the same time.
 

The technique:

I prefer to call and shoot from a standing position using an extended monopod. You do not need to be concerned with positioning yourself against a backdrop like daytime hunting. Coyotes cannot see beyond the source of the light.

Remember that your shots will need to be fairly close for target identification and safety so position your stand with that in mind. You will still need to use all your daytime hunting skills when night hunting.

You will want to scan the area quickly and keep the beam moving in an effort to catch the eyes of an approaching coyote as soon as possible. Keep the light on while calling. If glowing eyes are spotted, direct the outer edge of the beam or the halo on the eyes. You want to give just enough light to keep the eyes glowing. Do not focus the main beam on the coyote until it is time to confirm the target and shoot. When the eyes are close enough to identify and shoot drop the main beam on the coyote and shoot. Before you move from your position take some time and really concentrate on the area of the shot and get a good mental picture before you try to retrieve your coyote. Terrain can look a lot different at night. If you have a partner, have them go retrieve the coyote while you aim the light at the point of the shot.

Night hunting for coyotes can be very exciting and productive as long as you don't mind missing a little TV and some sleep. Check you hunting laws, gather your gear and go shoot some coyotes.