Jeff, I live in the Waterford area just west of you and hunt in the West Branch and Mancelona area up north. In West Branch I've hunted coyote with everything from a bow out of a tree stand to revolvers, rifles and shotguns out of a groundblind. But when I hunt in Mancelona I use a Savage BVSS-S .223 with a Burris Signature 8-32 power scope because the land is pretty much wide open old farmland and shots out to 300yds have presented themselves. I have never had to chase a coyote after shooting it with a .223 even on some of the long shots, the most I've ever seen one run after being shot was 40 yds because I hit kinda high. My Savage shoots 5/8" 5 shot groups with factory Hornady 55gr V-MAX ammo at 100 yds and 3/4" groups at 200yds, the only thing i've done to the rifle was install a SSS trigger in it and set it at 1lb pull. All for under a grand.