.22 for coyote and which call?

Joined
Oct 5, 2021
Messages
19
Hey all. Just got my long gun hunting license but have had my archery license now… 26 years.
Looking to get into coyote hunting, they’ve all but destroyed the hunting area I frequent. Even state conservation officers have even hunting them in the area. I have two questions…

1. I hunt in 90 acres of private land. Not super densely packed with trees, and there are plenty of elevated spots. Not to say it’s not thick with trees, they’re just oaks, birch, maples etc. nothing with super low hanging branches. What call should I get? I have a blind up in the woods currently that I can hunt out of.

2. I have both a 12ga shotgun and a ruger 10/22. Was hoping to use the 10/22 for coyote but would like to have ethical, clean kills. Will it do the job? I have never hunted anything larger than squirrel with .22. Otherwise, maybe buckshot or slug?
 
Hey all. Just got my long gun hunting license but have had my archery license now… 26 years.
Looking to get into coyote hunting, they’ve all but destroyed the hunting area I frequent. Even state conservation officers have even hunting them in the area. I have two questions…

1. I hunt in 90 acres of private land. Not super densely packed with trees, and there are plenty of elevated spots. Not to say it’s not thick with trees, they’re just oaks, birch, maples etc. nothing with super low hanging branches. What call should I get? I have a blind up in the woods currently that I can hunt out of.

2. I have both a 12ga shotgun and a ruger 10/22. Was hoping to use the 10/22 for coyote but would like to have ethical, clean kills. Will it do the job? I have never hunted anything larger than squirrel with .22. Otherwise, maybe buckshot or slug?
If you’re asking about a model of electronic call to get, There are a number of options in the 150-300$ range that will get you a good start. I wouldn’t dump tons of money into a call until you know if you enjoy it or not.

As for the .22 LR, many a song dog have fallen to a .22 rimfire. Keep your shots quite close, and shoot for the head. A shotgun isn’t a bad bet either, though.

Don’t get the illusion that you’re going to put up huge numbers of coyotes though, or make drastic changes in the game populations by calling in (and even killing) a few coyotes, though. They’re a smart and resilient critter.
 
I started with a mouth call, a rabit in distress. Cheaper than an electronic call. Mouth calls aren't very hard to use. I would use the shotgun with double 00 buck. Don't move too much, dont silhouette yourself, and pay attention to the wind. Hunt down wind the coyotes will try to circle around to sniff you out. Coyote hunting is addicting. Best of luck.
 
.22 dont do the job for coyotes, they might if there close but if its far away you could hit them and they just run away.
 
.22 rimfire might be a bit light for the task. If that is all I had, I would take the shotgun

MFK make diaphragm mouth calls for coyote and seem like good folks.
 
I have shot a good number of coyotes with a 22lr. You will lose some for sure as they can go a ways before dying and can really bury themselves in brush. If you use the 10/22 just shoot them in the head or keep your shots to 75yds or less. Shooting them in the vitals at that range will most certainly kill them. I use shotguns frequently with buck shot out to 60yds effectively. Either gun will work just fine if you call them in close. As for calls, there are cheap electronic calls for $75-150 dollars that would work for infrequent use. Others on this site use bluetooth speakers and their cell phone, I have never done that but I’m sure it works too. Mouth calls are easy to make sounds with, but getting one in close before it sees you takes practice, its not as easy as some suggest because the sound is emanating directly from your position and they will pick up your silhouette or movement way easier. Getting the speaker 15-30yds away from you helps a ton. Whatever you choose to do, un pressured coyotes on private can be a lot of fun. The pics I attached are one with my son and a 115yd head shot with a 22lr and another 60yd 12ga kill with buckshot.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5411.jpeg
    IMG_5411.jpeg
    606.6 KB · Views: 3
  • IMG_1621.jpeg
    IMG_1621.jpeg
    700.1 KB · Views: 3
Hey all. Just got my long gun hunting license but have had my archery license now… 26 years.
Looking to get into coyote hunting, they’ve all but destroyed the hunting area I frequent. Even state conservation officers have even hunting them in the area. I have two questions…

1. I hunt in 90 acres of private land. Not super densely packed with trees, and there are plenty of elevated spots. Not to say it’s not thick with trees, they’re just oaks, birch, maples etc. nothing with super low hanging branches. What call should I get? I have a blind up in the woods currently that I can hunt out of.

2. I have both a 12ga shotgun and a ruger 10/22. Was hoping to use the 10/22 for coyote but would like to have ethical, clean kills. Will it do the job? I have never hunted anything larger than squirrel with .22. Otherwise, maybe buckshot or slug?
22 caliber is ok, just not a 22 rimfire/lR. Think about a 223, 22-250 or my latest favorite, the 22 ARC. All three of the aforementioned are 22 caliber. If you’re hunting open planes, you really may want to think about that 22 ARC or possibly at 2:43 or Remington 6 mm. There is plenty of calibers out there, but if you’re not hand loading, you also have to think about ammo availability. I’m guessing more coyotes have been killed with the 223/.556 than in the other caliber. I’ve killed many with it myself, but I have also lost a lot of coyotes with it.
 
I'd go with shotgun with 4buck or even lead BBs. I'd pick up a couple mouth calls. If you use a turkey diaphram at all you can make a pup in distress call pretty easy on it and some "prey distress" noises and will probably kill more coyotes like that than with a rabbit (at least I have).
 
Back
Top