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ADVENTURE SPORTS OUTDOORS “The Voice of the American Sportsman”
3 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS YOU’LL FIND COYOTES By Mark Kayser
COYOTES ARE ALL THE SAME, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN THEY’RE ALL IN THE SAME PLACE. It’s common for predator hunters — weekend warriors or diehards — to look for out-of-the-way coyote locations to hunt. Muddy trails, rocky paths and numerous gate openings lead to the land of milk and honey … right? That’s oftentimes the case, but not always necessary. Sometimes the best coyote hunting is right out the front door. That front door may not be yours but, when looking for new coyote-calling locations, don’t be rule out set-ups near suburbia, farms, ranches and rural manufacturing sites. 1. FARM COYOTES: Some of the richest food sources for coyotes can be found within close proximity to these location types. For farms and ranches, the food source is obvious. Livestock plays a crucial role in attracting coyotes to these
areas. Depending on the livestock offering, there’s the occasional critter that kicks off unexpectedly. If the agricultural operation is large, it’s like they dispose of animals using a “pit,” another popular coyote attraction. There’s also the attraction of newborns, afterbirth and calf excrement that spurs coyote visits. In addition to livestock banquets, farms and ranches also have domestic pets, pet bowls to raid and even gardens to rob. Coyotes are notorious for including grains and even fruits in their diet when prompted. 2. SUBURBAN COYOTES: Suburban coyotes are becoming as normal as seeing road construction signs on your way to work. If you want an interesting read look up the Cook County coyote study that has been observing coyotes in the Chicago area since 2000. Coyotes living in the midst of humans stick to a diet of rodents but — like farmyard raiders —they are
not opposed to pursuing pets, taking advantage of pet food and also tiptoeing through gardens for fresh produce. 3. RURAL COYOTES: Lastly, many areas of rural American now have manufacturing and distribution centers hidden away from the big city. These hubs of activity also create micro-environments that harbor a healthy diet of small game for coyotes. Rabbits and small rodents thrive in the overgrown underbrush surrounding these sites making it a natural pit stop for any coyote hunting in the area. A nighttime drive to listen for area coyotes at these sites is one way to pinpoint activity. Use a lone howl on your electronic caller to get a response if you don’t hear any howling. You can also talk with locals as they usually have a good idea of the wildlife living nearby, especially if they’ve caught the barnyard dog in a midnight fight with a prowling coyote. Other clues such as tracks and droppings confirm that coyotes are living nearby. Once you get the green light to hunt such a site, be sure to set up far enough
January 2018
away that your shots will be safe and legal. Keep a clear backstop in the background and clear all of your potential setup sites with landowners to ensure they approve of your hunting plan. Even if you don’t get permission to hunt an exact building site, you can always hunt adjacent properties. It’s likely the coyotes are traveling to and from a refuge setting to hunt near a building site. Dawn and dusk setups may be more strategic when focusing on a sanctuary setting. Catch the coyotes when they leave or return to those areas because they’ll likely loot building sites after dark when the hustle and bustle of human activity subsides. www.grandviewoutdoors.com
Call Reagan and Book Your Trip Today!
309.642.8106
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KICKAPOO CREEK SUPPLY “FUR BUYER”
COMPLETE HIDE TANNING SERVICE BUYER OF RAW FURS & SQUIRREL TAILS Selling complete line of trapping supplies: Lures • Baits • Traps • Fur Handling Equipment Snares • Hip Boots • Chest Waders • AND MORE WE SHIP UPS
CALL: 309.446.3137 6815 N. McIntyre Road • Brimfield, IL 61517
Sure, we have seed that grows corn and soybeans. But, we also have some that grow antlers. You’ve always turned to your local FS Member cooperative for the expert advice and help in managing your farm’s resources. But you may not have realized that when it comes to managing the wildlife resources on your farm, we can help there too. The fact is your local FS Member Cooperative carries a full line of seed for improving wildlife forage on your land. Including annual and perennial mixes from Mossy Oak®, Biologic®, and the Whitetail Institute of North America specially formulated to provide better nutrition and more protein to grow bigger, healthier animals. So, if your game is deer or wild turkey, your local FS Member Cooperative has the seed and the epertise to help you make the most of your willdlife resources.
Fulton, FS, Inc.
Lewistown Office 309-547-2896 Ipava Office 309-753-9253
Wildlife solutions from The Natural Resource
