Hunting And Running Coyotes With Dogs
Eastern coyote populations are found in good numbers in standing wood lots, in thick river bottoms, crop fields and even in rural back yards. Larger than its western cousin, a mature eastern coyote may weigh 30 to 45 pounds and stand 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder. These large animals can cover a lot of ground, with males typically establishing home ranges of 10 to 20 miles. Because of the coyote’s evolved cunning and innate elusiveness, it has thrived East of the Mississippi and has even reached the status of a trophy animal in the eyes of many an eastern dog hunters.
The coyote, like all canines, prefers to trot when on the move. It may sustain a ground-eating gait hour after hour, in the process expending little effort. When a coyote does gallop, it can top 25 miles per hour, and there are reliable accounts of coyotes being clocked at speeds in excess of 35 mph.
Coyotes are smart and long-winded, which has led to hunting them with dogs. Most coyote dog hunters today use hounds for tracking and chasing.
The winter days immediately following deer season are prime time for dog hunting. With fresh snow on the ground, coyote sign is obvious. A good lead or start dog can be put on a track and follow it until the coyote “jumps.” Then the hound’s bawl becomes an excited full cry, and the hunt is on.
Some of the best eastern coyote hunting occurs in open farmland with second- growth woodlots and dense, brushy borders. Coyotes prey heavily on the rodents, small game, birds and other wild life that live in such transitional cover.
Whether run in the open or in timber, coyotes pose a serious challenge to dogs and coyote hunters. Miles mean nothing to a coyote and can take the hounds right out of the county.
When putting together a pack of hounds, hunters attempt to match dogs of like nose, voice, speed, and ability. Such dogs pack well together and run better.
Coyote dog training starts when they are pups. The pups are mingled with older dogs during late summer nights for fox runs. Summer nights are quiet and comfortable, and the dogs can be heard over long distances. By coyote season, the pack order is settled.
A typical coyote hunt starts with cruising the back roads in mixed woodlot and farm country. When a fresh track or road crossing is struck, the top dog or strike dog is released to cold trail until the coyote is jumped. At that point other dogs, one or two at a time, may be let loose to join the chase. A chase may end after a few tight circles, or it may go on for many miles and many hours.
Dedicated coyote hunters also keep in touch with area farmers, who are more than happy to report any coyote sightings, dead farm animals or road kills that might indicate or incite coyote activity.
Coyotes are great runners and confuse tired dogs by getting into thick cover and circling, jumping on and off track. Most coyotes are shot at bay or while circling back across an opening, running ahead of the hound pack.
Keeping constant tracking of the hunters coyote dog is very critical and imperative. Tracking collars and radios are necessary for today‘s coyote hunter.
With ever increasing numbers of coyotes moving into every patch of eastern brush and woods, there has never been a better time to get started in the sport of running coyotes. To find a group near you who practice chasing coyotes with dogs, check with your local hunting club and or dog kennel club.
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This was a great article on running coyotes with dogs. We hunt coyotes with dogs in central new york during the season and are very successful at it. Your article is spot on and it seems you know what your talking about.