Coyote Crossbow questions
 

I'm gearing up to dent the coyote population out at my retirement cabin (not permanent resident till 2015). Neighbors cameras pick up more coyote than deer though no one can seem to get a shot at one in the thick brush. Plus I lost a beloved pet cat this last summer. Most my efforts will go into trapping, yet it'd be a thrill to drop a 'yote via crossbow.

I'm thinking of getting 50yds across the creek into the bush and setting up in a tree blind. Hope to use an e-call ?FoxPro with remote, and put out a freshly killed rabbit for scent and rabbit decoy.

Questions:
-Am I correct in thinking that an arrow (350fps/350gr.arrow) would drop the same or similiar to 20yds when shot 30 horizontal yds if I'm 30' high shooting downward to a ground level animal?
-Do coyotes jump at the sound of the bowstring as deer do?

The hunting suggestions on this forum seem practical and more useful than general books.
Thanks, Randy W aka Sosalty

In regards to coyotes 'jumping the string', yes, even moreso than deer. Coyotes are far more reactive than deer. In general, however, coyotes will "duck the string" rather than jumping.

It'd be irresponsible for someone to answer about the drop characteristics of your particular crossbow without knowing more about it. Easiest answer is to get into the stand and practice a few shots to see where it impacts relative to your site.

The complication between shooting downhill or out of a stand is usually due to the difference in viewed distance vs horizontal distance, and then the difference in drop compensation factored into the site. The TOF to cover 30yrds changes a bit, but not hugely, and frankly, I wouldn't expect a huge difference between the two considering most modern crossbows (fast enough that they don't change point of aim much from 15-30yrds).

One warning: If you're shooting coyotes with a bow or crossbow, be sure you have a lot of bolts/arrows handy, and plan on losing all of them. That's part of the fun of it. :)

Sure sounds like fun trying !


Bait the area a week before you get in your stand.


Zero your crossbow on the bait spot from your stand, as Nomercy suggests.


Good luck.....................

Good info. Neighbor thinks I can't so much as trap the 'yotes. He underestimates my determination. My socialized kitties aren't raised to become coyote snacks. Should help out the newborn Bambi's as well.

Bait a few times, then set up scent free trap using same bait just inches in the cage, rest of bait back by the trap trigger. Hurry up October (my next trip out).

Hard to duck an arrow if it's coming from above. Jees, some of those Basket Oaks are tallll . .
50yds seems a stretch, if I can't get 40yd shots, I'll buy a .223:s4:

Just passing on my own experience in perforating coyotes with archery equipment. Maybe you'll get lucky and none will ever duck your string. Bobcats are even worse than coyotes, more agile/reactive and smaller target in general.

NoMercy,
Really respect your opinions; just looked up that 'yotes can be snared year round on private lands. Heh heh, knew I had some snares on the tool shed wall for a reason!
Sheridan,
Yeah, I'll probably strike out first year or so. I shot 350 ground squirrels (when I still worked) back in 2005 with my PCP air rifle. Then struck out 13 hunting treks trying to take a 'sporting grey squirrel.' Cornered 1 squirrel in a tall pine away from other trees. He eventually charged me straight down the trunk; inches from my face I dodged and he high talled it thru the brush.

Possible baits:
melons/cantalope
sour milk & fish eggs/guts
sardines
rabbit or chicken
cheap hotdogs

What, if any, is your hunting/trapping experience so far?

Out of your possible baits, I'd leave the fruit at home (not many vegetarian coyotes running around), and I'd expect you'll see a lot of non-target animals with the sardines. Rabbits and chickens would be the way I go. Can't say I've ever tried hotdogs.

Both grandads alcoholics. Dad and siblings rustled food from the poorly kept up farm to feed themselves. One shot kills, noodling, he knew every little wild man country boy trick in the book. Sat/slept alongside Dad as he hunted coyote at night. Hunted (Blue Jays/Moccassion snakes) squirrel, rabbit, geese, pigeon with air rifle as a kid in TX. But I lost interest 40 years ago as a teenager. As an adult I've backpacked the CA Sierras alot with some close encounters with coyotes/bobcat/mtn.lion/bear. After I took up pcp air rifle, a coyote would follow me from 100yds as I'd shoot ground squirrels, passing once at 10 yds (Mtn.lion can be attracted to hotdogs; bobcat and coyote get into the AL melon gardens) (Shot a little 3 gun back in the 90's.)

I live in creepy depraved California. Always wanted to live by a creek. Our retirement cabin overlookes a norther Alabamie creek on 5 acres and surrounded by brushy forest. This summer'13 live trapped coon, possom, ferral cat and visualled a Bob at 75yds. A sizeable coyote pack sounds off very close yet out of sight. My only brief sighting was of a Chow dog face with coyote ears back in '06 before the property was cleared.

Great White Oak on Right

What a difference a season makes! Headed to Alabam with half dozen Minnesoto traps but found the terrain too thick to penatrate. I'll have to wait until the leaves are off just to get the far side of creek where the pack migrates.
Minimal hunting trapping experience, but it's in my blood.

It's tough getting a Coyote with any type of Archery Equipment/Crossbow...make sure You have good shooting lanes since most tree branches or brush can veer Your arrow off target!Coyotes have great noses and usually circle down-wind when coming in to any sounds.

If You miss or loose too many Coyotes to the crossbow I suggest a good 12 gauge shotgun for any thick areas Your hunting and a .223 for any open areas you can get longer shots on,once the Coyotes know Your hunting them they will be more cautious and harder to call in!Check what other Predators are in a season in Your area because You may call in Bobcats and Foxes too!