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Sportsman Outdoors

Hunting coyotes at night!

Jack Danchak
Posted 10/22/21

Reading an article about hunting coyotes at night was very interesting, and I thought I would pass it on to coyote hunters. It is a fact, since coyotes are active at night, and are mostly nocturnal, …

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Sportsman Outdoors

Hunting coyotes at night!

Posted

Reading an article about hunting coyotes at night was very interesting, and I thought I would pass it on to coyote hunters. It is a fact, since coyotes are active at night, and are mostly nocturnal, it would be an advantage to hunt for them at night utilizing the proper lights.

When hunting for coyotes at night, some hunters just use their bright red gun light to scan for coyote eyes that are remarkably noticeable. However, a light that is made specifically for scanning would be a much better choice.

All scanning lights are not the same. It is a common misconception that brighter light is the best way to go, however, that is not the case when scanning for coyotes. Some scanning lights use high output LED’s with smooth reflector housings with a magnifying spherical glass lens to concentrate the focus of the beam. While this may show eyes over in the next county, it may also have the undesirable result of burning the eyes and spooking the coyote.

The whole idea of using a scanning light is to continuously scan the area you are calling. The most common method of calling is to imitate the sound of an injured rabbit while scanning and looking for the reflection of approaching coyote eyes.

Keeping the minimal amount of light on an approaching coyote conditions the coyote to the light as it continues to get closer. The coyote gets used to the scan light beam, and when it is within shooting range, the hunter can switch on a brighter gun mounted light for positive identification and then take the shot.

The article goes on to say that a gun mounted light will positively identify any coyote at distances out to 350 yards. Because the coyote has been conditioned with the less-brilliant scanning light, the brighter shooting light does not immediately alert or scare the coyote, thus keeping it in range longer.

A headlamp light is preferred over a handheld light and you can easily reach up and turn the headlamp off once the gun light has been turned on. Make sure the gun light has been turned on prior to turning off the headlamp. You never want to leave the coyote in total darkness after it has been spotted.

The article concluded by saying, “No lighting system, no matter how well designed, will make you a better hunter. You still need to be mindful of sound hunting tactics and to use good light discipline while calling. Lights are tools like any other tool and, when used correctly, they will make coyote hunters more successful.”

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