Getting involved in coyote hunting shouldn’t stress you out. I know that most people getting into the sport of coyote hunting think it is going to cost them a lot of money. The truth is most hunters probably already own the bulk of the equipment needed. This post will give you an idea of the basic equipment you will need to hunt coyotes.
Shotguns
Coyotes can be taken at close distances with a shotgun. I would recommend a 12 gauge if you have one. We use semi-automatic shotguns from Benelli for fast follow up shots.
The Super Black Eagle II and the Vinci is the two shotguns we take to the field. You may have a shotgun already and this will help you get in the field.
Super Black Eagle II
Rifles
Coyotes can also be taken with various calibers of rifles. The most common would probably be the 223, 22-250, 25-06, and 243, but trust me the list goes on. You may already have a deer hunting rifle that will fit the bill.
Benelli MR1
Loads
Common Shotgun loads are 00 Buck, #4 Buck, and T-Shot. Steel Shot isn’t recommended for coyotes so we use Dead Coyote loads by Hevi-Shot. Rifle loads can be a complex subject due to your caliber of rifle, barrel twist and other factors. Ideally you want something that is going to make a small entrance wound and open fast so the coyote is taken out quickly.
Hevi-Shot Predator Loads
Camouflage
If you already own camouflage then use it until you can afford something different or more suitable for the area you are hunting. The major thing to consider is using a complementary pattern. If you are hunting an area like a dessert you will want to have lighter tones. If you are hunting timber you will want darker tones to help you blend in better. This article will explain camouflage in more detail. ARTICLE
Blending in
Optics
A good scope with clear optics is a huge plus in the world of coyote hunting. You will find that a lot of coyotes will hang up at a distance. It is very common to have to take shots out to 300 yards or farther depending on your shooting ability and caliber of rifle you are shooting. If you are hunting in open terrain binoculars are another plus. It is a definite advantage to spot a coyote coming in at a distance so you have the ability to adjust for the shot. Binoculars are not necessary to get in the sport of coyote hunting, but it will be an advantage to get a pair when you can afford them.
We use Nikon Optics. The Coyote Special rifle scope has some definite advantages. They have a filter on the end of the scope that keeps your lens from reflecting and spooking the coyote. They also have a reticule system that allows you to acquire your target faster. We also use the Nikon Monarch binoculars. They have a very clear image that helps when you are trying to locate a coyote in busy terrain.
Nikon Optics
Coyote Calls
The most affordable call on the market is a mouth call. You can pick them up at most sporting good stores. Closed reed coyote calls are the easiest to learn and sound great. As your calling skills progress you will definitely want to use an open reed call. The open reed coyote calls have an ability to produce a wider variety of sounds and are still very affordable. Once your wallet gets a little heavier you can step into an electronic call that has a huge variety of sounds at your fingertips. This article will explain COYOTE CALLS in more detail. ARTICLE
Open Reed Coyote Call
Coyote Decoys
Decoys aren’t necessary to get started with but you will find that they can be a great tool to improve your coyote hunts. Decoys are a great way to capture a coyotes attention when it is responding to a call. This is also a good way to take the coyote’s attention off of you. We use the Mojo Woodpecker, Mojo Woodpecker, and the Mojo Puppy. This article will explain DECOYS in more detail. ARTICLE
Mojo Critter Predator Hunting Decoy
Camera
Although a camera isn’t necessary to coyote hunt with, it is a lot of fun to record your memories. It is also a lot of fun to share the hunt with fellow hunters on our coyote hunting forum. I highly recommend taking a camera with you in the field.
As you get into coyote hunting and your passion for the sport grows like it has with the rest of us coyote hunters your coyote hunting equipment inventory will no doubt change and grow. This list is just the basic items you will need to give coyote hunting a try.
More How To Coyote Hunt Articles
Lance Benson, Pro Staff
Bucking The Odds
What choke tube do you use in your benelli when you shoot these yotes?
Choke tubes are by Hevi-Shot. You can get them on their website.
If i dont plan on selling the hides is my 30-06 savage alright to use, i plan on using 110 grain sabot rounds
Big gun isn’t good for them… It’ll kill them.
What is the best call to use to call them in.
Most distress calls work. Getting into the stand undetected is the hard part.
i have the primos app on my ipod touch and they have coyote calls on there if i get some applified speakers do you think it would work along with a jackrabbit tail instead of buying an e-caller
The tough part is you need a remote control to start and stop it from a distance. It could get you busted if you start playing it when you have it in your hand. Usually you want to set the e-caller next to your decoy and then get some distance from it, then turn it on.
Hope this helps.
yeah it helped a ton i borrowed my cousins ecaller and shot a nice 25lb coyote with my 30-06 savage thanks a ton!
If you use a .22 could you kill a coyote from a 100 yards or less?
It can be done with good shot placement, but I would recommend stepping into something like a 223, 22-250, 243, 25-06… Well the list goes on. Coyotes are really hard to kill unless you can place your shot well, and odds are you could lose a dog. Best of luck!
I have a .223 AR-15. It knocks everything on their butt. I would recomend this size caliber for anyone coyote hunting. Or any small game for that matter.
Yep! We use the Benelli MR1 in 223 and it gets er done!
Which is better a 22-250 or 223 or 243
I really believe it is personal preference.
which do you use
I have used both, but now use the Benelli MR1 in 223.
ok thanks. What do you guys do with your coyotes after you kill them.
Pelts aren’t worth anything up here…..I let the buzzrds eat ‘em, usually…I did shoot a nice male in Jan & my friend is doing the hide for me.
ive been using my AR lately…..why do u guys suggest 12 gauges sooo much?
Nothing wrong with the AR. Sometimes it is easier to pick up a close range fast mover with a shotgun. We all use what we are most comfortable with, but will say the Benelli shotgun has increased our percentages.
I use my AR and up until last year lugged a shotgun around too. I saw an article in one of the predator hunting magazines that talked about the use of red dot sights. Shortly after reading the article DevilDog and I were talking and he sent me a red dot to try on my AR. I mounted it up and took it out. I intentionally let a coyote get to less than 30 yards when I could have shot him at 200. I placed the dot on him and dropped him. The close range is not an issue nor is target acquisition speed. Needless to say i no longer lug my shotgun around on most coyote stands. I still use it for fox and bobcat or when calling coyotes in really thick cover.
We have had coyotes come in on blind spots through brush at fast rates of speed. Not all coyotes are the same though. We have had many that we can watch from long distances come in on a string. It is when you get in the busy terrain that they can be difficult to get in a scope when they appear and disappear.
That’s why having the red dot on the AR is nice. You have the ability to acquire a sight picture like you would with a shot gun. It’s fast, accurate, can be done with both eyes open, and is easy to do. I agree shotguns have their place on certain stands. I like the ability to have my AR up and ready and not have to reach down and grab a shotgun. I think it is something that is individual preference and what someone is comfortable with. I tried the red dot setup on my AR and it works well for me on the majority of situations.
I’m kinda thinking about putting a red dot on my hunting rifle. It already has a scope on it, but I’m not really sure if i like it. I was also wondering what brand you would suggest?
Just my opinion… I have a red dot on my AR, and I am going to change it back to a scope. The red dot is great for close range. I will be putting a Nikon Coyote Special on mine.
I kinda figured they would only be good up close. I bought a remington 770 and it came with a bushnell scope. I really like the rifle, and the scope is alright I just want a little more reach.
well i went out and got me a high-point 9mm carbine rifle that i put a red dot on and i use for my close range gun and still use my AR for long range i love the 9mm its great i love it great knock down power
Hay i live in Ohio i what call is bedder a cottintail or a jackrabbit call + Have u guys ever hunter here
Either call will get er done. Not been lucky enough to hunt in Ohio…
Have u hunted around here
What is generally more productive, night or day hunting, and what time?
Both can be very productive. Night hunting just presents different challenges. We like hunting during the day and morning and evenings typically produce the best results, but you can call a coyote in anytime. My personal favorite is in the morning, just when the sun is coming up.
How do you scout an area before hunting it? The night before? What kind of calls do you use when scouting an area?
Felipe Navarrete you in Montrose area? Were do you go? I need pointers.
I will scout an area sometimes after a stand.
I will always look at an aerial map before I make a trip to the property!
But most of the time I will make a special trip just to walk the area and look for trails and scat. If you can get an idea of where they are traveling you can get an idea of where you should set up to work the wind.
I will also take some fox urine and spray around areas that seem to be a high traffic area. I hope this over powers my scent and puts the coyote on high alert for intruders. Maybe they will remember this scent when I start playing the bunny blues in a week or two and think “I going to teach this fox a lesson”!!
Most of the time I will go call some other property at daybreak and after my day of calling I will stop by the new property to scout.
Would a .17 hmr be a good rifle for coyote hunting?
A 17 would work under ideal conditions out to 80 yds or so.HEAD SHOTS but you throw in a 10-20 mph dakota plains wind and you could be off easily enough to miss thats why most of the hunters i know use 22-250 to a 6mm. thank goodness for the 3 fs, FASTER , FLATTER AND FURTHER !!!!!!!
Hey can anyone tell me what the name of the tripod deal they use for there shotguns? I can’t find it on any searches, if anyone knows what the exact name is or who makes them that would be great!
Look at our list of equipment.
I watchedthe videos of your coyote hunting, it looks like you use the same bipod on all of your guns. What is the make and model?
BTO Equipment
What is the model of the video camera you are using?
i wanna start coyote hunting i have been out a few times but have not had any luck. the one thing i have not seen anywhere when i am reading about coyote hunting is how long do you play the call for?
I have had good luck playing the call continuously at a medium to low volume while on stand and using mouth calls
in 20-30 sec intervals
What bipod are you using in vid.#27?
This is a list of our equipment.
I have noticed in some of your videos, you wear a hat with a face mask attached to it. What is the brand?
thanks.
We sell them in our store. The hats are by Quikcamo.
Sweet.. Thank you.
signed up for free membership but didnt recieve an email to register. What do I do??
Most common problem is that your confirmation email is in your junk email or spam folder. If not you could of typed in your email incorrectly when you registered. If you can’t find the email then I can delete your account, so you can try again.
How about using crossbows? I inherited my mother’s 80 acre farm, INFESTED with Coyotes. in middle Tennessee that is a combination of 100 acre pasture/hay fields and Heavily wooded slopes. Would a crossbow work well?
Having a hard time getting them in close for a shot. How can I get them in closer?