I use mouth calls because they are cheap and you can manipulate the sounds. I like Circe, Burnham Brothers, and Lohman mouth calls. My favorite is the Circe 3-in-1. I also have two howlers, a Lohman and a Primos. I use the howler to locate the yotes, then move in closer and go to work with the other calls. The howlers are open reed calls, so they take a little practice. The others are all closed reed and are very easy to use. They also store in pockets for easy carrying.

As far as firearms, depends on what my shots are going to look like. Most of the time I use my .223, and it is very capable out to 300 yards. I seldom call on windy days, but for windy conditions or shots past 300 yards, I use a 25-06.

After I've used the howlers and the yotes respond, I move in and try to get where I can see a good ways downwind. Not all coyotes circle and approach from downwind, but most do. That's why it is important to have a clear view of your downwind side. I usually use a jackrabbit or cottontail to start with. I blow on it four of five times, then wait for about five minutes, then repeat. If I have a coyote hanging up, I change calls to a coaxer or something different to try and draw him on in. I keep at it for about thirty minutes unless hawks are still flying over. I find that they usually respond first. I've had coyotes come before I finished my first set of calls, so it's important to be ready to fire at all times.

As for hunting times, I reccommend early morning and late evening hunts when you see what's going on all around you. Especially if your hunting them by yourself. If the coyotes haven't been hunted much, you'll have a lot easier time drawing them in.

I have hunted all kinds of terrain, but seldom have I ever been able to call coyotes around a stock pond. I don't know what it is about them, but the coyotes won't hang around them long even when coming in for a drink. Coyotes also seldom come across an open field during the daytime. They prefer to go around the edges. I have used the wind to my advantage a couple of times, setting up where coyotes can use the edge and approach from almost downwind, but my scent is actually blowing parallel in the field parallel to the edge.

Good luck and good hunting.