Wind thoughts

[Mr.223wssm]

I agree with possumal they put their back to wind and lift their head to check scent coming over them and watch the downwind. I've seen this many times with coyotes laying out in Fields. I hunted enough to know and see even deer do this. Something my dad and grampa used to preach to me growing up hunting deer with those old boys. Good luck keep hunting

[ChipD223]

Good tip AL, thanks for sharing.

[kyhunter]

two quick questions. If coyotes are watching what is approaching, does that mean they will tend to bed on the edge of the thick stuff where they can see further or do they bed deeper in it?

What would your ideal approach to a stand be? I tend to try to approach where I am going to call with a cross wind and walk in where I think I can be quiet and not seen without killing myself walking through thick briars etc.

thank you

[Night Eyes]

Originally Posted by kyhunter

two quick questions. If coyotes are watching what is approaching, does that mean they will tend to bed on the edge of the thick stuff where they can see further or do they bed deeper in it?

What would your ideal approach to a stand be? I tend to try to approach where I am going to call with a cross wind and walk in where I think I can be quiet and not seen without killing myself walking through thick briars etc.

thank you

Well if their watching their down wind they want to be able see if danger approaches. In regards to how far in depends on what the coyote feels comfortable with.

Your approach sounds solid.

[FoxerNOpro1966]

Originally Posted by Possumal

This info is for consideration by some of the newbies. If you elect to walk into the wind on the way to your stand location, keep in mind that you are making it unlikely that coyotes will hear your approach. At the same time, you are increasing the chance that you will be seen. Coyotes can see movement very well, and they are always watching where they can't smell and smelling where they can't watch. Use this info to work out your own methods.

It's my day to just read through some threads, old and new, and this one made me really think...smell the smoke?

Most of this is me rambling but anyway...

I read once if we drilled a hole large enough to jump down into, and it went through all the planet and out the opposite side when we jump in we'd be falling down. But we'd only be falling down until we reached the center of the earth. After the center as we fell we'd actually be moving UP. (I'm not high I promise)

As I enter a calling area and the wind is in my face I think that no coyote will approach from directly upwind. I know there are rarely "nevers" in calling but I feel why would they approach that way with absolutely no way to get wind of their quarry? So I think it's a bad plan to call here in the East with the wind in my face. I look for a crosswind or any wind other than directly in my face. I believe on a square 20 acre block of woods the Coyotes here spend their days located close to the downwind edge. Here as possumal stated they can sit and SEE all of the downwind side and they can smell anything coming from the upwind side. So I won't walk in with the wind at my face directly in front of the woods. I approach from the side...from a different parcel of land for a crosswind.

Also to my point about falling in that hole through the earth.... I have a few places where I can call and then move deeper for another stand. I think that if I'd start my calling with the wind in my face and move deeper in...well after a short while of moving further into the wind really what I am doing is just positioning myself so that behind me would soon be all the downwind area I just scented up and any smart coyote can just work in behind me and I'd never know any better.

Some articles I read by Andrew Lewand and his books which are great BTW really have impacted me. I have learned that the wind should be used! Taken advantage of! Basically the wind is showing us where we should be looking! If using the wind is a Coyotes' advantage and predictable coyote behavior then can't is also be its downfall too? Use the wind and the terrain to guide the coyote to where it feels the safest. Position ourselves where we have a view of the downwind area and yet our scent cone won't be detected before we have a shot opportunity.

I am a complete novice and amateur and I've only killed a bunch of fox and ZERO coyotes. I did missed one coyote recently because I'm a bad shot I guess. But I enjoy planning and just getting out there. Hunting the wind is confusing but I recently just decided to make it easy and just watch the downwind and try not to put my scent into it!

Just me rambling but maybe my ideas aren't complete nonsense hehe.

[carl]

There seems to be an infoglut (too much online information) on using the wind, playing the wind etc. Most are simplistic in their explanation, and after reading, or listening to more than a few, one is more confused than when they started.

Actually, there are 3 considerations regarding the wind (if using a e-caller, 2 if not).

The first, is your approach to the spot you want to call. Basically, you want to approach the calling spot from the downwind, while remaining relatively unseen, by using the terrain (going low and using whatever intermittent cover there is along the way).

Second, is how you setup in relation to the wind. It is generally agreed that it is best to setup with a crosswind, with the wind coming from the right if a right-handed shooter, and from the left if a left-handed shooter, and with the downwind visible to you (more room to swing your gun L &/or R).

Third is where to place your e-caller, assuming you are using one (skip if not). Again, it is generally agreed to place the caller slightly upwind, so that when a coyote attempts to go downwind of the sound, he will expose himself, and offer you a shot. How far upwind is a matter of debate, with the farther you walk away from your shooting position, the more scent you are spreading and the closer it is to you having the prey looking more at you. I usually go 15-30 yards.

After you figure out the two or three things above, add in breaking up your outline while set up (to make you less visible), keeping the sun at your back (to make it difficult for your prey to see you), and rising thermals in the AM, and falling thermals in the PM you have it made.

Now, isn't that easy?

[wally62us1]

Originally Posted by Possumal

No disrespect to your grandpa, but I think a mature coyote is as smart as any animal you will find. He knows his backyard better than you know your own and takes advantage of that. I don't believe they are afraid of much, but they learn to respect what can get them in trouble. I watched a big pair turn a big farm shepherd every way but loose, whereas one of them might not have taken that task on.

I full agree with you. I have hunted most predators except bears. And the king of the wilderness I think is the coyote. A lot of people think the wolf. But the wolf needs a pack to be successful. The coyote is so damn smart. It can eat anything live anywhere. The coyote has been outsmarting man for forever. All hail the coyote.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Preydeception]

I agree with Furguy; it is a waste of time if the wind is coming from the wrong direction; as for me in that case I pass and come back another day until the wind is correct (in my opinion) then I will call that spot. Works for me! I think if you call when the wind is wrong and educate them; you just shot yourself in the foot....haha

[Adrian J Hare]

Very good advice and something I also practice. I always walk into or in a cross wind to my set. The cross wind has to blow out into the open which either makes them show themselves for good shooting or they cut corners and go against the wind in which opens up shooting as well. Good Tip Al