Tips for January Coyote Calling

Tips For January Coyote Calling

By Jacob Dean

The sun started to peek over the horizon, casting soft, pink light across the field. It was a perfect morning for hunting. I’d set up just off the edge of a field bordered by dense woods. From my vantage point, I had a clear line of sight for a few hundred yards. I started the coyote call, imitating the distressed cry of a rabbit. The sound floated into the quiet air, piercing the soft morning silence. After a few moments, the stillness returned as I paused the call. Over by the timber line, a coyote stepped cautiously into the clearing, surveying the landscape, its sharp eyes sweeping across the field. I steadied my breath, centering the animal in my scope. My finger hovered over the trigger, and I took a silent breath, slowly I squeezed the trigger and the coyote took off. Within 50 yards, the big male piled up.

Coyote hunting has often been a hobby for me. It is time to enjoy with my cousins and uncle and get outdoors. Over the past 20 years, I’ve learned quite a few things about coyotes and the hunt. Unfortunately, I learned most of these things the hard way, blowing a hunt and missing opportunity. Here are 3 tips for you to ponder, so you can have a more successful coyote season this winter.

Understand Coyote Behavior

The first tip I have for you is to understand coyote behavior during January. January is their breeding season, so you will see coyotes pairing up. During this period, coyotes become more active and vocal as they search for mates. They become more active and this is the perfect time to get out and hunt them. Another thing you will notice is that male coyotes can become more aggressive, especially towards other males. They are looking for a mate and venturing into other territories. Both male and female coyotes will defend their territory more vigorously. 

Some key characteristics of coyote behavior during this time can include increased vocalization. Coyotes will howl, bark, and yelp more frequently to attract mates and defend territories. Use challenge howls and mating calls to draw them out. While effective, male challenge howls can be intimidating and might scare off younger coyotes. Use them sparingly and with some thought. If you include coyote vocalizations in your call sequence, be prepared for them to circle even more frequently to the downwind side. This is because coyotes often want to assess any potential competition or threat before coming closer.

Calling

We’ve established that coyote vocalizations are good to use this time of year because of the breeding season. However, you don’t want to overlook using a good destress call. When males have found a female, they will stick close to her. Play to their hunger by using some distress calls. You might be able to bring both the male and female in to your set.

There is the debate of using an electronic call or a hand call for calling coyotes. Electronic calls can broadcast a variety of sounds at once and are realistic, but mouth calls provide flexibility and are more mobile. Practice both to become proficient. I have a couple of hand calls I really like, but the flexibility of the electronic call is awesome and I find myself gravitating towards my electronic caller with one hand call. I also like that I can set up the call away from my location, so the coyotes are not looking directly at me. The source is 30 – 40 yards away and allows me a little more grace when I raise my gun. 

Additionally, I like to have some sort of brush pile or visual block in the field where I set my call. I want to be able to see the coyotes coming in, but have some brush where they have to explore where the sound is coming from. If you do set the call up in an open field and there isn’t much brush, multifloral rose, or visual variance, you might consider using a decoy. Decoys can provide a focal point that distracts coyotes from your presence, making it easier to take a shot. Motion decoys can be effective as coyotes rely on sight and are drawn to movement. Set up motion decoys around 50-100 yards from your position.

When calling, start soft, then build up. You want to begin with lower-volume calls and wait patiently. By starting softly, you will pique the interest of any near-by coyotes. Then you can build the volume and reach coyotes out in the distance. Coyotes may approach cautiously, so avoid over-calling at first.

Additionally, combining a few invitation howls with estrus chirps or mixing in a pair howl creates a realistic sound scene that can make the setup more believable.

Always pay attention to how coyotes respond to different vocalizations. Adjust your calling strategy based on whether they seem to be approaching, moving away, or remaining out of sight. If something is working for me, I tend to repeat it a couple of times. Using the right vocalizations during January can significantly increase your chances of drawing coyotes in. With these calls and strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to make the most of the breeding season’s heightened coyote activity.

Play The Wind

Coyotes have an extraordinary sense of smell, which is their primary tool for detecting food, identifying threats, and navigating their environment. Their noses are finely tuned, capable of picking up scents and is one reason why understanding wind direction is crucial for any coyote hunter—knowing how to position yourself downwind of their approach can mean the difference between success and never seeing a coyote.

Coyotes, have an advanced olfactory system, allowing them to detect smells far better than humans. Coyotes possess up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, compared to about 5–6 million in humans. This amplifies their ability to process and identify smells. A coyote’s brain dedicates a substantial portion to processing scent. The olfactory bulbs, the part of the brain that handles scent information, are highly developed in coyotes, allowing them to analyze and interpret a wide variety of smells with remarkable precision.

Coyotes also have a vomeronasal organ (Jacobson’s organ) that allows them to detect pheromones and chemical signals. This organ provides information about other coyotes, potential mates, or even threats, adding an additional layer to their scenting abilities. When using coyote vocalizations, they’re likely to try and circle downwind to smell the other coyote. 

Setting up downwind of where you expect coyotes to travel prevents them from detecting your scent as they move in. You can also utilize physical obstacles, like ponds or rivers to keep coyotes from circling down wind and winding you. If possible, choose an area with cover that provides multiple options to quickly reposition in case the wind shifts. Areas with multiple clear sightlines and good natural cover can help you adapt more effectively. 

The most important thing is to get out, do some sits and have a good time this January.