Thinking of 'yote hunting

Joe-ker · October 6, 2017, 08:33 AM

Midway has a sale on these so it got me interested.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/45...ain-image-link

Yea or nea? I'm not looking to break the bank, heck I might not like sitting out in the cold at night anyways. Just curious what guys that do it have to say.

I do have a caller.

buck460XVR · October 6, 2017, 08:46 AM

I've called coyotes for over 40 years........never sat at night. They may get harder to call as the season progresses, but it depends on numbers and pressure by others. I'd think that success during the day would relate to success at night, regardless. If you enjoy hunting them often during the day, then that rig might be for you, but if you're only an occasional daytime hunter, I wonder for how long the motivation would last to go out at night.

ocharry · October 6, 2017, 10:35 AM

joe...you might look at ebay,,, predator hunting lights,,they have similar lights in red or green for a lesser price,,,just a thought,,,and if you like the hunting you could always upgrade to a nicer light

i know people do it but i dont think i would want the weight of a light hanging on my scope under recoil,,torquing the scope tube,,,but they do make rail mounts

i did a lot of fox hunting at night a long time ago,,,they will come right up to you,,,shot gun works best,,,not sure about a yote,,,but they call them in pretty close on some of the hunting shows,,,at night

just some thoughts

ocharry

Joe-ker · October 6, 2017, 12:49 PM

Thanks for the replies.

buck-- I get what your saying about the motivation. There's getting to be a lot of them around here, evident by all the tracks around my farmstead. I won't have far to go---that's the reason I'm interested. Many winter nights you can hear them, just a few nights ago as well.

I will look around some more. You gotta hand it to Midway though, they know how to advertise.

Mobuck · October 7, 2017, 07:24 AM

I've sat over a bait at night waiting for coyotes. It wasn't nearly as much fun as I'd hoped. Foxes seem far easier duped by night calling vs yoties.

Scorch · October 7, 2017, 08:52 PM

I will admit my coyote hunting experience is not recent (30-35 years ago), but I shot quite a few of them for pelts back then. My greatest success was right at dawn. They are active at that time because their prey is active, and you can see them several hundred yards away which will help you quite a bit. Don't know about you, but I don't like sitting in the cold and dark so I don't think I would hunt at night in the winter time.

T. O'Heir · October 9, 2017, 12:13 PM

Hunting Wiley at night with any light isn't legal in Iowa. The last thing you need is being accused of 'jack lighting' deer. Read page 15 of Iowa's hunting regs.
"...sitting out in the cold at night..." Isn't what I'd call a good time unless you have very good clothing.

jmr40 · October 9, 2017, 06:45 PM

OK to hunt Coyote at night in most places, Iowa is no exception. Page 5 of Iowa hunting regulations. Coyote are generally considered non-game animals with no closed seasons and few if any restrictions on taking them.

Quote:

SPECIES SEASON SHOOTING HOURS BAG LIMITS
DAILY POSSESSION
Rooster Pheasant (Youth) 1,2 Oct. 21-22 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 1 2
Rooster Pheasant Oct. 28 - Jan. 10, 2018 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 3 12
Bobwhite Quail Oct. 28 - Jan. 31, 2018 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 8 16
Gray Partridge Oct. 14 - Jan. 31, 2018 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 8 16
Ruffed Grouse Oct. 7 - Jan. 31, 2018 Sunrise to Sunset 3 6
Rabbit (Cottontail) Sept. 2 - Feb. 28, 2018 Sunrise to Sunset 10 20
Rabbit (Jack) CLOSED 0 0
Squirrel (Fox and Gray) Sept. 2 - Jan. 31, 2018 No Restrictions 6 12
Groundhog3 Continuous Open Season No Restrictions No Limit No Limit
Crow Oct. 15 - Nov. 30 and No Restrictions No Limit No Limit
Jan. 14 - March 31, 2018
Pigeon Continuous Open Season No Restrictions No Limit No Limit
Coyote3, 4 Continuous Open Season No Restrictions No Limit No Limit

Tallest · October 10, 2017, 08:30 AM

Joe-ker - I've done a little bit of coyote hunting here in VA. I say go for it, but I would be sure to get a light with red. I've tried green and red both, and red seems by far to disturb them the least. I would also say, don't expect to be crazy successful right out of the gate. I sat through many a dull night seeing nothing, missing, learning. But it's worth it when you start getting them!

the possum · October 10, 2017, 10:39 AM

One of my co-workers is an avid coyote hunter. Last year at their big annual hunt they had 114 coyotes in a pile at the end of the weekend- several two-man teams had an informal competition.

He has told me that a red vs. green vs. plain white light doesn't make a bit of difference to the coyotes. My regular white light flashlight doesn't bother any other critters at night, so I'm not sure why coyotes would be different.

The light you linked comes with a bunch of nice accessories, but the light itself seems pretty pathetic. Only 250 lumens and 220 yards of throw.

For this kind of light, the throw is more important than lumens. Throw is rated by how far it can project a half lumen (IIRC) on target, which is not nearly enough light to actually pick out a coyote against the brush. The practical light would be done after about only 40 yards.

For some reason, lights marketed to mount on guns cost 3 times more and have half or less of the performance compared to a similar hand held flashlight. And I honestly don't believe they're built any tougher in most cases. I'd look for a better light first, and then see what kind of mounts you can put it in. Best place to start the search is this website, where you can enter in your criteria. http://flashlights.parametrek.com

There are lights out there now rated for over 1500 meters of throw, which is flat out amazing, and should give you an honest 300 yards of range for night hunting.

Joe-ker · October 11, 2017, 08:26 AM

Thanks for all the replies and the link possum. I'm sure I can find a better lite and piece together a mount cheaper, plus having all colors cant hurt. As far as range or light I shouldn't need the most range- I don't plan on being in the bush--open snow covered farmland around my place so I should be able to call them in and pick them out easily.

The hardest part will definitely be working up the ambition to go out early in the wee hrs.....but like I said its just out my back door so that helps.....a lot.

Seems like my best "ratters" (barn cats) went missing last winter so I'd like to help them out as well as the dwindling fox and pheasant population.

the possum · October 11, 2017, 11:21 AM

Quote:

...plus having all colors can't hurt.

Keep in mind the rated lumens you see advertised are for the white light. If you go putting a red filter over the lens, you cut that down to less than half, at least just going by the ones I've played with. So if you insist on having other colors, rather than using a filter, look for lights that have actual red or green LED diodes. This way you're still getting the full brightness & range.

Yeah, those big search lights are probably overkill for your needs, but the point stands you can do a heck of a lot better than the one you linked in the OP. A LOT better.

Joe-ker · October 11, 2017, 07:20 PM

Thanks. That's good to know.

October 6, 2017, 08:33 AM	#1
Joe-ker Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2016 Location: North Iowa Posts: 247	Thinking of 'yote hunting Midway has a sale on these so it got me interested. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/45...ain-image-link Yea or nea? I'm not looking to break the bank, heck I might not like sitting out in the cold at night anyways. Just curious what guys that do it have to say. I do have a caller. __________________ From my cold dead hands.....

October 6, 2017, 10:35 AM	#3
ocharry Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2006 Posts: 685	joe...you might look at ebay,,, predator hunting lights,,they have similar lights in red or green for a lesser price,,,just a thought,,,and if you like the hunting you could always upgrade to a nicer light i know people do it but i dont think i would want the weight of a light hanging on my scope under recoil,,torquing the scope tube,,,but they do make rail mounts i did a lot of fox hunting at night a long time ago,,,they will come right up to you,,,shot gun works best,,,not sure about a yote,,,but they call them in pretty close on some of the hunting shows,,,at night just some thoughts ocharry __________________ The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, USMC

October 6, 2017, 12:49 PM	#4
Joe-ker Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2016 Location: North Iowa Posts: 247	Thanks for the replies. buck-- I get what your saying about the motivation. There's getting to be a lot of them around here, evident by all the tracks around my farmstead. I won't have far to go---that's the reason I'm interested. Many winter nights you can hear them, just a few nights ago as well. I will look around some more. You gotta hand it to Midway though, they know how to advertise. __________________ From my cold dead hands.....

October 7, 2017, 08:52 PM	#6
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I will admit my coyote hunting experience is not recent (30-35 years ago), but I shot quite a few of them for pelts back then. My greatest success was right at dawn. They are active at that time because their prey is active, and you can see them several hundred yards away which will help you quite a bit. Don't know about you, but I don't like sitting in the cold and dark so I don't think I would hunt at night in the winter time. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

October 9, 2017, 12:13 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Hunting Wiley at night with any light isn't legal in Iowa. The last thing you need is being accused of 'jack lighting' deer. Read page 15 of Iowa's hunting regs. "...sitting out in the cold at night..." Isn't what I'd call a good time unless you have very good clothing. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

October 6, 2017, 08:46 AM	#2
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	I've called coyotes for over 40 years........never sat at night. They may get harder to call as the season progresses, but it depends on numbers and pressure by others. I'd think that success during the day would relate to success at night, regardless. If you enjoy hunting them often during the day, then that rig might be for you, but if you're only an occasional daytime hunter, I wonder for how long the motivation would last to go out at night.

October 7, 2017, 07:24 AM	#5
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	I've sat over a bait at night waiting for coyotes. It wasn't nearly as much fun as I'd hoped. Foxes seem far easier duped by night calling vs yoties.

October 10, 2017, 08:30 AM	#9
Tallest Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2016 Location: West of the Atlantic Posts: 418	Joe-ker - I've done a little bit of coyote hunting here in VA. I say go for it, but I would be sure to get a light with red. I've tried green and red both, and red seems by far to disturb them the least. I would also say, don't expect to be crazy successful right out of the gate. I sat through many a dull night seeing nothing, missing, learning. But it's worth it when you start getting them! __________________ Matthew "All men are ignorant. The topics of our ignorance may vary, but the nature of the world is that no man may know everything." ~ R Jordan

October 10, 2017, 10:39 AM	#10
the possum Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2004 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 555	One of my co-workers is an avid coyote hunter. Last year at their big annual hunt they had 114 coyotes in a pile at the end of the weekend- several two-man teams had an informal competition. He has told me that a red vs. green vs. plain white light doesn't make a bit of difference to the coyotes. My regular white light flashlight doesn't bother any other critters at night, so I'm not sure why coyotes would be different. The light you linked comes with a bunch of nice accessories, but the light itself seems pretty pathetic. Only 250 lumens and 220 yards of throw. For this kind of light, the throw is more important than lumens. Throw is rated by how far it can project a half lumen (IIRC) on target, which is not nearly enough light to actually pick out a coyote against the brush. The practical light would be done after about only 40 yards. For some reason, lights marketed to mount on guns cost 3 times more and have half or less of the performance compared to a similar hand held flashlight. And I honestly don't believe they're built any tougher in most cases. I'd look for a better light first, and then see what kind of mounts you can put it in. Best place to start the search is this website, where you can enter in your criteria. http://flashlights.parametrek.com There are lights out there now rated for over 1500 meters of throw, which is flat out amazing, and should give you an honest 300 yards of range for night hunting. Last edited by the possum; October 10, 2017 at 01:28 PM.

October 11, 2017, 08:26 AM	#11
Joe-ker Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2016 Location: North Iowa Posts: 247	Thanks for all the replies and the link possum. I'm sure I can find a better lite and piece together a mount cheaper, plus having all colors cant hurt. As far as range or light I shouldn't need the most range- I don't plan on being in the bush--open snow covered farmland around my place so I should be able to call them in and pick them out easily. The hardest part will definitely be working up the ambition to go out early in the wee hrs.....but like I said its just out my back door so that helps.....a lot. Seems like my best "ratters" (barn cats) went missing last winter so I'd like to help them out as well as the dwindling fox and pheasant population. __________________ From my cold dead hands.....

October 11, 2017, 07:20 PM	#13
Joe-ker Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2016 Location: North Iowa Posts: 247	Thanks. That's good to know. __________________ From my cold dead hands.....