How do coyotes get "educated"?

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LanceS4803

LanceS4803

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Middle TN
Trying to take some coyotes from a small plot, bordering my neighborhood. The wind wasn't in my favor yesterday, and the same this morning. (They stay in an incredibly thick area bordering the woods.)
Decided to put up my climber this morning, thinking I could get high enough to float any scent over the top. Washed clothes in no-scent and sprayed down this morning.
5 minutes into calling two came in and then started to circle downwind. At 50yds out, the lead one hangs up and then they head back into the brush.

Question:
Does it take a negative experience, shot at or seeing a hunter, in connection with the calling, to permanently alter their behavior?
I can't imagine that the mere scenting of a human, would do it, especially in a populated area.
(Once my silencer paperwork comes back, this won't be as much of an issue!!)
 
Shot at and missed, yea it will educate them to that sound.

If they hear enough rabbits in certain places over time that will teach them a thing or two.

They come in to the sounds of another coyote and never see another coyote while under cover and don't get shot it will teach them something.

As for scent, ever in populated areas it is important. If there are houses nearby with people out and about they are used it THAT. They are used to people walking on the street, playing in their cut lawns, etc. Now move one person into the nearby woods and that is OUT OF PLACE from the normal. They might not remember it if they were not shot at.

Go to the Smokey Mountains and the Clove, those deer there seem like they are tame to the point they will eat out of your hand. But start to follow them into the woods and less than 50 yards from the opening of the Clove they become wild again and will run from you. All because YOU ARE OUT OF PLACE away from the Clove.
 
Plain and simple you got winded or seen. You cant make your scent go away, dont care what you wash with thats why the wind is so critical. they came to the sound looking for another dog and smelled or seen something out of place and left.

Also was there something preventing you from shooting when you had him at fifty?
 
DIRTTRAX said:
Plain and simple you got winded or seen. You cant make your scent go away, dont care what you wash with thats why the wind is so critical. they came to the sound looking for another dog and smelled or seen something out of place and left.

Also was there something preventing you from shooting when you had him at fifty?
Click to expand...

X2
 
I'm in a wood plot next to a neighborhood. I only bowhunt there.
I could get away with my silenced 22, and just limit my distance to about 30yds, head shots only. Either way, this will be tough.
When my .30cal silencer, I will be in a better position.

I've probably set myself with an impossible situation, but think I have a way. From watching them for a while (I killed one with a bow already) they come out of the heavy brush and then cut for the wind. If I set up the e-caller behind me, and get right on the edge of the brush, they may turn towards the call before they get to my scent cone.
If I get frustrated, I can go to the farm where things are more normal!
 
With limiting yourself to the bow will make it tougher but very doable. Just pay attention to the wind and watch your movement which is going to be hard while drawing a bow.

Was you calling or did you just kill the other dog when he was passing by? Reason asked is killing a dog passing by (looking for food or headed home) is different than calling. They are always aware but more so when you are calling, IMO
 
A gunshot does not necessary scare them.
How are they to know that sound represents danger unless they've been wounded or seen another coyote injured upon the sound?

I've had several coyotes come to the sound of a rifle, after apparently associating it with a deer's gut pile.
 
Coyotes have always just been targets of opportunity. I'll be in the stand, or turkey hunting. This is the first season for me intentionally hunting them.

This strip of land usually has a predictable wind pattern. But the best was one morning when I squirted out the powder and it went laterally 6 feet and then shot straight up!
I think coyotes noses are better than a deer's.
 
Coyotes get educated when you use a call to bring them in and then they bust you and escape before you can kill them. As soon as this happens, smart dogs will circle looking to pinpoint YOU which is exactly what you saw.

I would suggest you set up in a tree with a bait-dead animal-at the farthest reach of your guaranteed acccuracy. And then just sit and watch.
 
My two cents............the sense that triggers human memory the easiest is scent. If that is the same for other creatures, then the association of human scent and danger in an area is scent. I think, and have nothing to back it up, that if a deer sees you and spooks, you may have another chance at it in the near future. If they wind you, then you are done there for a long time. Same for a coyote. A twitch of a finger may spook them for the moment, but if they circle you and scent you, then you will not see them there again for a long time.

Can I prove it. No.
 
I keep forgetting there is no baiting at all allowed in TN

Once you've been busted and/or the coyote can associate you with danger that is one hard animal to kill. Best bet then is to trap them.
 
Trapping on the farm would work really well. But, this plot borders a residential neighborhood. Too much risk of snagging a pet dog or cat.
Where the coyotes hang out is in an incredibly thick area that is owned by an absentee, out of state land owner, that no one seems to be able to contact. They just like to get and roam the neighborhood.

I wonder if a large box type trap would work? Do they make live-catch traps that big?
 
I was doing some internet research and apparently coyotes are some of the more difficult predators to trap in a box type trap. They are reluctant to enter a closed off place. A box trap would be perfect for the neighborhood.
Will have to check more into this.
 

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