Coyoteseeker pretty well hit it right on with his reply. The only thing I would add is your shotgun is a good tool to use in heavey cover where the first time you see him is when he pops out of the brush at 30 yards or less. Most of the time he will be on the move and a moving coyote is a lot easier to hit with an open sighted shotgun than a scoped rifle. For longer range shots I use a Ruger m77 22-250. I`am a animal dammage conyrol operator so I`am not iterested in saving pelts just dead coyotes. That caliber usually leaves a nasty exit hole. If your saving hides you might want to drop down to a lighter gun.(Refer to coyoteseeker`s reply.)