hey all, went deer hunting this morning on private land, coyotes were howling from both sides of property at 5;30 am still pitch dark, went in and got a deer gutted it and left. came back at 3:30pm with foxpro caller, gave a locator howl and the coyotes were howling from 2 directions waited awhile and yotes kept howling ,tried rabbit distress, and they where still howling and barking but spread out farther then we were basicaly surrounded they were howling all around us but nothing came in. we where roughly 50 yards from the gut pile in tree stands.... any ideas thanks

If they were on both sides of you but not coming in, then you were probably on the border of two pack’s territories. Neither one wanted to cross into the other’s to avoid a conflict. They could very well have been why they continued to howl and bark (to try and figure out who was where). Plus, did you check on the gut pile before you left? There is also a good chance that they were full and could not have cared less about an easy rabbit, but I would go with my first suspicion. If it were me I would have tried a challenge bark, followed by either hurt coyote, or hurt pup yips. A lot of times this will bring the alpha dogs in to further evaluate the situation, or prepare to wage war with a rival dog.

I agree with the fowler. If you are going to get coyotes, cross the bounderies.

thanks for reply
the gut pile wasnt touched yet,1 coyote was probably 50 yards from me and another 2 where around 70 yards just couldnt see them thru the thick underbrush.even though we didnt get one it was a wild experience.been trying to hunt coyote on and off since last year and this was the first time ive heard them. usualy im hunting state land behind my house, but this private land is like a bowl and has houses up high around the hunting property so i dont think they are being hunted by any one else.