Wind, coyotes & Red Fox

[snafu]

Maybe I've shared this before? on here. I just don't recall. I'm burnt out & my memory has faded that is for sure.

Anyway, both coyotes & Red Fox do not prefer to be out in any wind. When talking about windward vs leeward. They spend the vast majority of their time on the down-wind. Even when bedded down on the down-wind. They will angle their backside against any residual wind that may make it over or through a wind brake area. Thus resulting in them facing a down-wind direction.

When they are on the move out in a wind. They angle or zig-zag through that wind. Not traveling very far straight into a wind. Before they angle & cut that wind. When traveling amongst hills. They prefer to travel right below the ridgeline. To around 1/2 down the side of the hillside. ON the down-wind side.

Some callers say to walk into an area with the wind in their face. Well they can do what they want. But that is my very last option. Because a wary coyote up ahead. Looking to its down-wind. Stands a good chance of seeing that hunter from long range.

When walking into a call stand. Or sneaking/stalking in on a bedded canine. I prefer to come in cross-wind or angled up-wind from where that canine is. Or where I think one might be. Which no doubt on open terrain, hilly or not. Works best for me.

Speaking of stalking. When I spot a long range bedded canine. I take my time & triangulate its bearing. Using any & all land features & or structures, as cross references. That way I can come in from any angle I so choose. Walking in blindly as long as I can keep one or more of those land features visible. When done correctly & if not heard. I've topped the last ridgeline or hill top. From behind & off to the side of the bedded canine. Resulting in the canine being clueless I'm even there.

[Okanagan]

snafu,
You post up some good stuff.

Just to add a smidge:  I use a compass sometimes as part of my system of sneaking up on a distant animal.  You can mark an animal's location with a compass bearing off a prominent point.  On a bedded mule deer 3/4 mile away on a steep, cliffy and forested mountainside, I only saw it from one hole in the timber to another.  Wind was wrong to go straight to it and there were cliffs to go around anyway.  I took a compass bearing to the deer, turned around and took a 180 compass bearing on a distant peak that could be seen from almost anywhere on the mountainside.  I had to move to one side a few feet to get them lined up opposite to one another.

Then I hiked and climbed way around the ridge above the deer and came down on it with the wind in my favor.  I knew the deer was on the line between me and the distant peak, and would check my compass bearing on the peak once in awhile.  I had selected a rock ledge to let me know when I was close above the deer, but there were two that looked alike, so I sneaked up on the first one:  no deer.  Sneaked up on the second one and spotted the deer still in its bed at about 30 yards. Yes, I am still proud of that stalk!  Probably have told this story before here, but don't recall.

Story told for any value it might have.  A compass bearing on downed game or on the last place a wounded animal was seen can be very helpful in finding it.    Mark your location when you take the bearing, with maybe an orange cap, etc. and then use a reverse bearing on the cap when you get over there.

Hunting Stone sheep one time I noticed sheep trails were usually a few feet below the ridge line.  Then I saw a sheep looking at me with only its eyes above the ridge line.  So I got down on all fours and discovered that the trails followed a contour that let the sheep see over the ridge while not showing any more than from its eyes up. 

[JohnP]

I don't know a whole lot about this stuff, don't take a compass, or GPS, or map just my rifle and caller sometimes a chair.  If I find a spot I like I'll call it, more likely than not something is going to come in be it a coyote, bobcat, fox, bear, lion, illegal or border patrol.  I do pay a little attention to the wind but not a lot.  I been a little successful over the years, not very much just a little.  Calling critters into your stand is like playing checker not chess, don't overthink the game.  Works for me but your mileage may vary.

Went out this AM made two stands, coyote on the first, bobcat on the second.  Thought I'd quit while I was batting 1000.  Wind was blowing like crazy - in all directions.  I'm getting to old for this, think I'll take up fishing.

[snafu]

The land I hunt is rolling hill farmland. Which is ideal for observing coyotes or fox with binocs or a spotter scope. Land sections are typically 1x1, 1x2 ,or 2x2 mile sections surrounded by gravel roads. Reason I post my experience is some may benefit from it.

Some of these sections have small stands & large stands or timber. Red Fox spend most days in a hole or another hard shelter & sleep most of the day. Coyotes on the other hand prefer to be outside in the elements compared to the Reds.

Coyotes also prefer "cover" vs being out on the open. Regardless of which canine. They all prefer the down-wind/ or leeward side of hills/ridgelines & or ground cover. Some may use this to their advantage.

Both canines 99% of the time. Will have the wind at their backside, when they are bedded down. The down-wind is theirs as they can often pan 180 degrees. Coyotes being the much lighter "sleeper" will often raise their head & pan 180. Whereas the Reds tend not to do this when "sleeping" they are often heavy sleepers. Dismissing most ambiant noises around them. Which is often a Red's down fall when a hunter draws near on noisy ground cover.

A coyote will raise its head & pan around. When it hears the least noise that doesn't fit its natural environment. They miss very little. As they are very wary. Adult female coyotes being the wariest vs a male.

When a coyote is bedded down. The stronger the prevailing wind. The more a coyote will face down-wind in alignment with that wind.

I've come to the conclusion a canines lateral vision is at least 200 degrees if not a tad more?
Whether stalking in on a sleeper. Or walking into a call stand. I treat both scenarios the same. As I try to overcome their hearing, vision & scenting ability.

[Dave]

Enjoying the wisdom, stories, and pics - nice double, John!
All great stuff.

Snafu, your words of advice bring to mind a particular day I was pushing deer for a friend.  I had started by a creek and cross cut to the middle of the patch of woods, with the wind blowing directly into my push.  So I was cross cutting downwind like you described.  Scanning the woods with my binocs, I noticed a red fox bedded, looking downwind.  I stalked to within 5 yards of it, surprised he didn't hear me or turn his head at all.  I  have to admit I was little nervous to get any closer, and just scared it out of its skin when I threw my arms up and hollered "Haaaaa." 

[FinsnFur]

Never been lucky enough to come up on or spot a bedded coyote, but I do find it interesting that they would bed down with the wind to their back. Wait a sec...maybe thats why I've never seen one

[snafu]

I'm going on my 49th season. I've picked up some pointers on the way. I've left a few web sites because of ignorant/jerk-wad yahoos gave me crap. Which is why I ended up here. Some of those jerks tried to say, the coyotes in Iowa Behave differently than the ones elsewhere(see jerk-wad territory). Well that is steaming bullarky. Sure they will adapt, but a coyote is a coyote & wind is wind.

I've laid prone on a snow covered ridgeline/hill top many times. With a bedded coyote in my crosshairs. I watched some a long time. As I am interested in their behaviors. I've seen them(eyes shut). Rotate one ear towards a distant noise. If that noise further perked their interest. Both ears pointed that way. Now if that noise peaked even more interest. They would raise their head & scan the distant area.

Furthermore, I've observed hundreds of coyotes over many yrs span here in Iowa. I observed their behaviors. Not only because it gave me an edge. But I chose to learn from them in their natural settting. Vs rushing in for a kill shot. I have few regrets.

[JohnP]

" but a coyote is a coyote"  Words to live by.  I have called and killed coyotes in almost every state in the union and never changed my calling tactics. 

[Okanagan]

" but a coyote is a coyote"  Words to live by.  I have called and killed coyotes in almost every state in the union and never changed my calling tactics.

ditto that, though I have only called them in the West. 

Excellent morning, Sir John!     You da man!

[snafu]

Enjoying the wisdom, stories, and pics - nice double, John!
All great stuff.

Snafu, your words of advice bring to mind a particular day I was pushing deer for a friend.  I had started by a creek and cross cut to the middle of the patch of woods, with the wind blowing directly into my push.  So I was cross cutting downwind like you described.  Scanning the woods with my binocs, I noticed a red fox bedded, looking downwind.  I stalked to within 5 yards of it, surprised he didn't hear me or turn his head at all.  I  have to admit I was little nervous to get any closer, and just scared it out of its skin when I threw my arms up and hollered "Haaaaa."

Excellent! stalk Dave. Takes a soft step to get that close.

[snafu]

One thing that became obvious to me. Having stalked for many yrs. Then get into calling. When I took a friend who was a caller. I noticed they rarely ever looked down on what they were about to step on. Nor did they step "softly" on loud ground cover. But just lumbered along like a cow heading to a feeder 

Anyway I addressed that with them. Et told them you should walk the same no matter what type of predator hunting you are doing. ie; Don't make noise.

Point being, remain silent(if possible), scentless & hidden.

[possumal]

John P, that was a great morning, wind or no wind.  You don't need to take up fishing yet.

Snafu, sounds like those coyotes and other critters are watching where they can't smell, and smelling where they are not watching.  Most game animals I have ever watched bedded down are doing exactly that.

[JohnP]

Al you did notice that them critters were in the back of an ATV.  I can remember me telling the wife, after she recommended I get one, that I would give up hunting before I used one of "them".  Then the physical problems started, one day in the hospital she said that she and the kids found a nice boat.  We could sell some of my guns and buy it.  A few days later on the way home from the hospital she told me that "we" bought exactly what you need.  When she opened the garage door I was fully expecting to see a bass boat, instead I saw a side x side Artic Cat.  You know anybody who wants to buy some fishing gear?

[possumal]

John P, I did notice that, and I'm sure glad they bought it.  In my opinion, it takes a lot of the sweating out of cold weather hunting, which in turn helps you stay warm.  I wish I had never parted with mine since I really need it now. Oh well, mistakes are made every day.  Glad to see you have adapted to owning that unit, as you will like it more and more as time goes by.

[snafu]

sounds like those coyotes and other critters are watching where they can't smell, and smelling where they are not watching.  Most game animals I have ever watched bedded down are doing exactly that.

There you have it, Al.

[possumal]

I look forward to seeing some of those great pictures you post from time to time. They are always enjoyable.

[snafu]

I plan to spend all of my remaining hunt time for a lion, Al. I'll no doubt see some other critters in the meanwhile. PC gremlin snatched all of my pics & everything else awhile back. I would love to put my hands & feet on the scum who made that virus.

[gravesco hunter]

a lot of good info here as always

[snafu]

Simple sketch depicting sneaking in on a bedded canine. From behind & off to one side. Wind blowing from 12:00-6:00. Bedded canine on the down-wind slope of a ridgeline. Hunter sneaks in from the 10:00 or 2:00 angle. Hunter can not be winded, nor seen. Now if the hunter is quiet enough once he or she tops the ridgeline for a shot. The canine remains bedded & clueless.

[FinsnFur]

Is that a fox or a coyote?