One of the biggest challenges for new coyote hunters is figuring out where to hunt these elusive creatures. You know coyotes are a problem, you’re eager to hunt them, but finding the right spot can be tricky. Thankfully, there are several strategies you can use to find prime coyote hunting locations.
In this article:
- Guided Hunts
- Hunting Apps
- Approaching Landowners
- Establishing Credibility
- Marketing Yourself
- Impressing Landowners with High Quality Equipment
- Conclusion
The easiest option for beginners is to book a guided hunt through websites like bookyourhunt.com. This “online marketplace for hunts” connects you with outfitters and ranches worldwide, offering hunting trips for various animals. Some guided hunts cater specifically to coyote hunting, taking you to prime locations with high coyote populations. Additionally, knowledgeable guides accompany you during the hunt, providing valuable insights and tips.
While this method guarantees a hunting spot and professional guidance, it’s also the most expensive. You might need to travel out of state, and there could be restrictions on your preferred firearm.
Modern technology allows hunters to locate prime hunting spots like never before with tools like the onX app — dubbed as the “standard by which all hunting apps are judged” by Outdoorlife. With onX, hunters can view property boundaries, landowner information, and access accurate GPS navigation, making it easier to scout and navigate through potential hunting areas, even in regions with poor cell service.
After identifying nearby private or public lands, use the landowner's name provided by the app to make contact. Reach out via social media, phone, or even a letter to inquire about potential coyote problems they'd like help addressing. However, be prepared to be patient and persistent, as building relationships with landowners might take time.
Getting permission to hunt on private land requires a bit of social courage and relationship-building. It's essential to strategize when contacting landowners, especially considering they might be strangers to you. Private land hunting requires you to be somewhat of a "huntrovert" – building connections with landowners and gaining their trust. Hunting is a social sport, and it’s harder to say no to someone when they’re right in front of you, so asking in-person is preferable over an anonymous email or text message that the landowner may very well disregard as spam. However, randomly knocking on doors without any prior announcement isn’t likely to win you any friends or favors either.
Instead, try to meet landowners in social settings like church, local diners, community events, or online forums. Strike up conversations and get to know potential landowners who may have coyote problems on their property. Keep in mind that coyote hunting requires a level of extroversion and interpersonal skills.
To increase your chances of gaining access to private lands, present yourself as a credible and trustworthy hunter. Share details of your relevant background, such as military or law enforcement experience if you have any, along with your hunting expertise. You could also offer help with other land management tasks, farm chores, or propose a mutual agreement, such as sharing harvested game.
Self-promotion is key in securing coyote hunting opportunities. Depending on the environment, you can distribute business cards that include your contact information, a brief introduction, and the most impressive hunting photo of yourself you have. Post flyers or advertisements in gun shops, hunting supply stores, and online forums, expressing your interest in helping with coyote management. QR codes also provide a convenient way for interested parties to quickly access your contact details. By effectively marketing yourself as a diligent and skilled coyote hunter, you'll increase your chances of being granted access to new hunting grounds.
Impressing Landowners with High-Quality Equipment
One of the major concerns a landowner might have with a stranger hunting on his ranch at night is that his very expensive livestock might catch a bullet by mistake. After all, there are several stories about hunters who mistook dogs for coyotes or sheep for wild hog. Showing a hesitant landowner some footage from your quality optic will do well to alleviate any concerns.
Thankfully, Pulsar digital riflescopes such as the Thermion 2 LRF XL50, have an onboard multimedia suite with video recording, and the sharp clarity of the thermal along with the unmistakable figures of both predator and prey in the 1024x768 resolution display will put many landowners at ease, and can significantly boost your credibility.
Even at long range, the difference between the cattle and coyote is obvious when viewed through a high-quality scope like the Thermion 2 LRF XL50.
This top-of-the-line riflescope offers exceptional thermal imaging capabilities, boasting a <35 NETD thermal sensor and 1024x768 digital resolution. These features ensure precise target detection and identification, even in the darkest conditions. By emphasizing the effectiveness of your gear, landowners will be more likely to trust that you can successfully manage coyote populations on their property, tipping the odds in your favor when you're trying to secure permission to hunt on their land.
Finding the perfect coyote hunting spot demands a combination of resourcefulness, networking, and sometimes, financial investment. By leveraging guided hunts, technology, relationship-building techniques, and self-promotion, you can secure access to productive hunting areas. Stay persistent, cultivate your interpersonal skills, and when you finally get the opportunity, it’ll be all the sweeter when you can finally savor the thrill of coyote hunting.
