EARLY SEASON COYOTES!

Mastering Early Season Coyote Calling: A Guide for Hunters

Calling coyotes during the early season, from October to December, is an exciting and rewarding experience. This period often features a higher number of “fresh ears”—young, inexperienced coyotes exploring the landscape. However, for novice hunters, it’s easy to overcomplicate or become too aggressive with calling strategies. Simplicity and thoughtful stand setup are key to success during this time of year.

The Importance of Stand Setup

While the type of call or sound you use is important, your stand setup often plays a more critical role in determining your success. Consider how you position yourself in relation to the wind, visibility, and terrain. Coyotes rely heavily on their senses, and a poor setup can alert them before they come into range.

Early vs. Late Season Behavior

The response of coyotes to calls varies depending on the time of the season. In early October, young coyotes are typically still with their mothers, who can influence their cautiousness. These young coyotes are less experienced and may fall for calls more readily, making this an excellent time to use a short-range platform for closer encounters. However, be mindful of the presence of adult coyotes, which are more wary and may cause hesitation in the younger ones.

By late December, young coyotes often begin to venture out on their own, increasing the chances of encountering completely fresh and inexperienced animals. These juveniles may be exploring new territories and can sometimes be more hesitant, especially if they sense they’ve wandered into another coyote’s home range. During this time, using vocalizations can be risky, as it might discourage them from approaching.

Recommended Calling Strategies

Early in the season, simplicity is your best strategy. Focus on prey distress sounds, which tend to be less threatening to young coyotes. Pup distress sounds can also be effective but use them sparingly. Save more advanced vocalizations, such as challenge howls or territorial calls, for later in the season when coyotes are more mature and confident.

The early season is an ideal time to refine your techniques. Use these “dumb” coyotes to perfect your stand setup and practice reading their behavior. If coyotes are hanging up or suddenly stop approaching, it’s often a sign that something in your setup—not the sound you’re using—has tipped them off. Adjust your positioning, wind direction, or concealment to improve your results.

Learn More

This overview simplifies the complexities of early-season coyote calling. For a deeper dive into advanced strategies, be sure to check out our podcast, where we discuss this topic and more in detail. With practice and patience, you can turn early-season hunts into valuable learning experiences while enjoying success in the field.