Dakota Coyotes

The fresh coyote tracks looked prominent in the early morning snow. This single track was soon joined by another and the pair meandered into the basin. My plan during this cold crisp morning while hunting the Badlands of North Dakota was to lure these two cunning predators within gun range. I quickly positioned myself above the area the tracks disappeared into. A few wails of my predator call brought both coyotes out of the heavy cover at a steady run, quickly closing the distance. The lead coyote came to an abrupt stop as I shouldered my rifle and anchored him in this tracks. As the echo of my shot faded I turned my attention to the second coyote using my Magnum Crit'r call stopping him with a yelp. In my haste I missed the easy shot, sending him high-tailing through the underbrush. In the early 1980's, my hunting partner, Scott Faiman, gave me my first open-reed call. It was called the 'Tally-Ho' and was made in South Dakota. Since then we've incorporated calling techniques that included not only rabbit distress calls but coyote howls, yelps and whines. In the previously mentioned hunt I used the rabbit distress call in order to bring the pair of coyotes into range and was able to stop the second coyote imitating an adult yelp even after the gunshot.Furbearer calls manufactured today are targeted to these separate sounds and are easier and more versatile to use. I prefer three different calls in my arsenal; however, learning through practice to imitate different sounds from each separate call will help make each outing more productive and fun than a pocket full of calls.Left Call - The Magnum Crit'r Call produces a bit lower toned rabbit distress while the open-reed design makes it possible to create pup whines, adult yelps and howls. Its magnum barrel allows for more volume in windy conditions and long range calling.Middle Call - The Standard Crit'r Call can create all the sounds as the magnum, but has more true tone when it comes to the rabbit distress. Because of its smaller design and flexible reed it is easier to blow than the magnum.Right Call - The Circe 3 in 1 Call comes with a rotating head which allows the hunter to change tones from cottontail, jackrabbit or mouse squeak. It has been very productive for calling coyotes or fox and the mouse squeak works very well for calling mule deer does in the early fall. It is very easy to use and takes little practice.The stable coyote and fox populations throughout the state of North Dakota has created great calling opportunities for predator hunters throughout the fall and winter months. "Mange" has been slowly spreading from east to west and may attribute to any population level decreases in the past year but both species seem to be doing well.Coyote hunting is a great way to sharpen your shooting skills and test your hunting abilities against one of nature's most adaptable creatures. It also allows you to build good rapport with landowners who will most often give access in pursuit of this "number one" predator.