Understanding the life cycle of coyotes

TRAPPERS REPORT ™

Trapping Conservation and Self-Reliance News

Understanding the life cycle of coyotes Jun 28, 2018 11:54 ET Original: Understanding the life cycle of coyotes TEXT if you don't have an account, which if you don't live in their area, I'm sure you don't: Do you enjoy coyote trapping and hunting? Have you ever wondered why, even if you are in an area with good coyote sign, you still find yourself being unsuccessful? One of the biggest keys to being a successful coyote trapper or hunter is to understand coyote behavior. Understanding the yearly life cycle of a coyote is crucial to putting up more fur in the trap shed. This article will outline a year in a coyote’s life cycle as well as tips and tactics to try different times of the year when hunting or trapping coyotes. First of all, the coyote breeding season usually runs from late January through February and sometimes into March. During this time of year, adult coyotes are looking to form pair bonds and breed often traveling long distances to find a mate. After the coyotes breed they will start to look for den locations to raise their pups. Calling during breeding season can be a very effective tool. Focus on coyote vocals such as howls and whimpers. For those of you who use footholds in the winter, this is a good time of year to use flat sets with coyote gland lure and urine. Next is the whelping and rearing season. Pups in our area of the state will usually start hitting the ground in early to mid-April. Some pups from the previous year will mate and some will not. Those that do not mate will often attach to the family and help raise this year’s pups. During whelping season the coyote’s home range will decrease to one or two square miles. Once May comes around the pups will be moving around much more and starting to eat solid food. As the pups grow, the adults will move them into new locations, oftentimes taller grass or even crop fields. During this time of year, location is critical when trying to trap or hunt coyotes. You have to get inside of their small home range. Coyotes with pups are very territorial. This is a good time to try howls or pup distress when calling. If trapping during this time of year, use territorial sets such as flat sets with coyote gland lure and urine. When doing a dirt hole try a curiosity lure or bait. Keep in mind this is an extremely difficult time of year to trap and you will more than likely not be harvesting near the numbers as in the fall or even winter. The last season I will talk about is the fall which is known as the “fur season.” Pups will usually start to disperse anytime from October to when breeding season starts. The pups now will be close to full size and can hunt and travel on their own. This is a great time of year to get traps in the ground and start calling. The coyote numbers are high and they’re often searching for new home ranges. Most of these pups have never seen a trap set or heard anyone call at them so they are much easier to outsmart than the adults. During this time I would focus more on dirt holes with food based lures and baits. When calling, try out some animal distress sounds such as rodents, birds, and rabbits to have those hungry coyotes come running to your call. Keep in mind that coyote fur will start to prime up in middle October and the fur will usually be good through December and most of January depending on the winter. Good luck and happy hunting. For any information regarding your local trapping and hunting laws or if you are experience any coyote depredation give your local Game, Fish, and Parks office a call.

Understanding the life cycle of coyotes Jun 28, 2018 11:54 ET Original: Understanding the life cycle of coyotes TEXT if you don't have an account, which if you don't live in their area, I'm sure you don't: Do you enjoy coyote trapping and hunting? Have you ever wondered why, even if you are in an area with good coyote sign, you still find yourself being unsuccessful? One of the biggest keys to being a successful coyote trapper or hunter is to understand coyote behavior. Understanding the yearly life cycle of a coyote is crucial to putting up more fur in the trap shed. This article will outline a year in a coyote’s life cycle as well as tips and tactics to try different times of the year when hunting or trapping coyotes. First of all, the coyote breeding season usually runs from late January through February and sometimes into March. During this time of year, adult coyotes are looking to form pair bonds and breed often traveling long distances to find a mate. After the coyotes breed they will start to look for den locations to raise their pups. Calling during breeding season can be a very effective tool. Focus on coyote vocals such as howls and whimpers. For those of you who use footholds in the winter, this is a good time of year to use flat sets with coyote gland lure and urine. Next is the whelping and rearing season. Pups in our area of the state will usually start hitting the ground in early to mid-April. Some pups from the previous year will mate and some will not. Those that do not mate will often attach to the family and help raise this year’s pups. During whelping season the coyote’s home range will decrease to one or two square miles. Once May comes around the pups will be moving around much more and starting to eat solid food. As the pups grow, the adults will move them into new locations, oftentimes taller grass or even crop fields. During this time of year, location is critical when trying to trap or hunt coyotes. You have to get inside of their small home range. Coyotes with pups are very territorial. This is a good time to try howls or pup distress when calling. If trapping during this time of year, use territorial sets such as flat sets with coyote gland lure and urine. When doing a dirt hole try a curiosity lure or bait. Keep in mind this is an extremely difficult time of year to trap and you will more than likely not be harvesting near the numbers as in the fall or even winter. The last season I will talk about is the fall which is known as the “fur season.” Pups will usually start to disperse anytime from October to when breeding season starts. The pups now will be close to full size and can hunt and travel on their own. This is a great time of year to get traps in the ground and start calling. The coyote numbers are high and they’re often searching for new home ranges. Most of these pups have never seen a trap set or heard anyone call at them so they are much easier to outsmart than the adults. During this time I would focus more on dirt holes with food based lures and baits. When calling, try out some animal distress sounds such as rodents, birds, and rabbits to have those hungry coyotes come running to your call. Keep in mind that coyote fur will start to prime up in middle October and the fur will usually be good through December and most of January depending on the winter. Good luck and happy hunting. For any information regarding your local trapping and hunting laws or if you are experience any coyote depredation give your local Game, Fish, and Parks office a call.