Well Im still pretty new to coyote hunting and I understand the mating season is coming up does this affect coyote hunting? Another question are coyotes harder to hunt in summer because of the more abundant food?

It affects hunting in a good way, howls and yips tend to bring them in well. invitation, and challenge howls work well. You may not get answers often, but they tend to come in. Being the coldest time of year, ringing the dinner bell can get good response also.


In the summer You can still kill dogs, sometimes even better account of less guys out in the bush. At the same time crops and grass is up high, so it's harder to see yotes coming to the call.

A couple of reasons that mating season might effect calling. For one, by that time most coyotes have heard the waa waaaa rabbit blues enough that they almost run when the hear the sound. SO switching to coyote vocals for calling becomes a more effective tactic. And the obvious, by the time Feb. rolls around, the coyote numbers have dropped. Fewer coyotes to call. The man that can bring in numbers all winter long knows how to change hunting strategys with the conditions and time of year.

Sure, in the summer there is more food plus the coyote needs to eat more and eat more often in the winter to survive. Less food and cold temps. equals better calling conditions.And as yodeldog mentioned, with the taller and fuller vegetation, it's just tougher to see a coyote in the summer. Coyotewill eat fruit, vegetables, corn, mice, rabbits,carion, insects, etc.

IMO, unless you're going to find the den with pups, it's best to leave the late spring/pup rearing season, hunting for later in the fall.

I quit hunting after march and dont start back til august or so when the pups are hunting and able to make it with out mom.And the mating season is the time to howl and use coyote sounds to bring them in.

So when exactly is mating season?

mating generally begins about mid. Feb., but can vary across the nation.

summer time hunting can be pretty good if you find a fresh cut hay field.