If you want to make the most out of your hunt, then predator calling is necessary. You will have a higher success rate than picking a spot and silently waiting (although patience is essential). You’re basically putting the ball in your court.
If you’re new to predator hunting, Washington state allows you to coyote hunt year-round with no limit and only requires a small game license. For residents, this is a little more than $40. Please note that if you’re hunting coyotes, you may not use dogs.
In this article, we’re going to give you 5 expert coyote predator calling tips to help maximize your hunt.
Let’s dive in.
5 Coyote Predator Calling Tips
- Choose The Right Equipment
Tim’s advice? When choosing the right equipment consider how often you’re going to go (or are going) predator hunting. If you’re going to go all the time then an electronic/digital call is the best way to go. But, if you’re just getting into predator hunting it’s best to start off with a hand call or reed.
Electronic/Digital Predator Calls
Many electronic calls can accurately simulate the sounds of a coyote. They also come pre-loaded with widespread and common calls. Plus, you can always download additional sounds to fit your needs.
For the best hunting experience look for one that at a minimum, has a remote that can reach at least 50 yards from the call itself. Our favorite and most popular digital call, the FoxPro Shockwave Digital Game Call, can reach over 100 yards.
When considering an electronic predator call, also keep in mind the battery life. You don’t want to be going out into the field to keep changing batteries.
Finally, note the number of speakers the call has and the quality. The FoxPro Shockwave we mentioned above has two speakers and can simulate an animal moving to the distance by fading sound from one speaker to another.
Electronic calls have the added benefit of being the focal point. When you use a hand or reed call, the animals’ attention is on you. When using an electronic call, you’re calling the animal to the call, not you.
Diaphram Mouth Calls
Diaphram calls are always great to have in your arsenal. If you’re just starting out in predator calling, it’s an affordable way to test the waters. Also, if you’re using a mouth operated call, practice your technique ahead of time.
Hand Calls
Hand calls like squeakers are another great addition to your fall arsenal. They can be used in addition to mouth calls or electronic calls. They’re best used to call predators in closer. The sound these types of calls create doesn’t travel as far as a reed or electronic call, so don’t expect to call in distant predators.
2. Have A Variety Of Calls
Bring more than one call with you on your coyote hunt. If one fails, you have another. The same goes for if you’re using an electronic call. The battery only lasts a set amount of time. If it runs out of battery in a field and that was your only call, well, your day is probably done.
Al Morris, who has won the World Coyote Calling Championship three times, says, “you can’t go fishing with just one lure.” Instead, he uses a digital call, a hand howler, and a diaphragm mouth call to achieve success. This allows him to sound like multiple coyotes.
3. Know Your Sounds
Just like knowing different elk vocalizations will help you bag that big bull, learning the sounds of a coyote will help you to get your coyote(s). It will also help you to determine if the coyote is more aggressive and challenging.
Not only do you need to know the sounds coyotes make, but you also need to know the sounds of a coyote’s food source. Most popular is a rabbit-in-distress, but there are also fawn, turkey, raccoon, chicken, and squirrel distress calls.
Hunter Tip: Many hunters will use a rabbit-in-distress call, and it ends with a failed hunt. Try a pup-in-distress or another call. The rabbit-in-distress call is highly overused, and coyotes are smart. They learn to associate sounds with danger, and with an overused call, they're sure to spot it as a fake. 
4. Call With The Season
Know what prey is relevant to the time of year you’re coyote hunting. Why? Well, think of it this way. If it’s breakfast time and the restaurant you’re at is only serving dinner, are you going to stay? Similarly, if it’s springtime and you’re using a call of an animal that isn’t prevalent that time of year, the odds are you aren’t going to have extreme luck. Keep in mind what the coyotes are eating during the time you’re predator calling.
5. Give It Time
After throwing up a set of calls to entice the coyotes, try and give it at least 30 minutes before calling again or moving to a different location. It’s easy to overdo it, but patience will be your friend. Howl and wait 7-10 minutes before calling again.
If you determine that there are no coyotes in the area and you’re set on moving, do so cautiously. Pay attention to your surroundings and be prepared. There’s a good chance a coyote is still on its way to you.
What Now?
If you want to have a more successful coyote hunt, then predator calling is the ticket to punch. Being prepared with multiple calls (digital, diaphragm, and a hand call) will ensure you don’t go skunked.
If you still have questions, then come in and speak with our friendly and knowledgeable hunting staff! They love to talk predators, and they’ll help get you prepared for a successful hunt.
Happy hunting!
