Nighttime Predator Hunting

[fishballer06]

I was curious if anyone else here does any coyote or fox hunting at night?

A few years back, I bought a really nice Foxpro electronic caller at a sporting goods store that was going out of business. I also grabbed a few mouth calls for super cheap as well. It was a deal too good to pass up. Night hunting for predators was something that I always thought was interesting, but I never got into because I didn't know anyone personally who did it.

I ended up doing a custom 243 build on a 700 action to do this kind of hunting and I've actually been using that rifle for deer hunting as well. I also have a 204, 223, and a 12 gauge that I could use as well. But over the past few years, I have drug my feet on spending the money to buy the last piece of essential gear for predator hunting at night... A good light. Well last week I finally pulled the trigger on it. I bought a Foxpro Gunfire kit.

So now I've got everything I need to fully get into this new hobby and I can't wait to shoot some critters. So does anyone else here do any predator hunting? What equipment are you running?

[D.W. Verts]

Wow. And very cool.

Of course I've done it- it's me, the Hickbilly. Although it has been a while, predator calling at night is probably as much as 10X more productive/easier as daytime calling, especially with the huge influx of new callers, at least in these parts.

I could write a story. Or a book. Or make a video. Hmmm.

Anyway, I don't use an electronic call (old guy, remember) but they work great and will help most folks. I use an open-reed call (Crit R Call) and my plain old, slack-jawed mouth. I do some screaming that way, but it'll hurt- I do a LOT of "squeaking" and small whines (cottontail). Start loud, then get QUIET. The late, great Guido Hibdon was a premier caller, and Gete almost exclusively used his mouth. But he could hurt your ears by "kissing" the inside of his wrist. I mean, it was a devastating way to call. And you need to HOWL for coyotes. It ruins them sometimes.

As in daytime calling it's location, location, etc. And how long you stay on station, which is dependent on weather, terrain, and what kind of critter you're targeting, which is kind of a secret- you call different critters DIFFERENTLY.

You cannot beat a full moon night with some snow on the ground. Duh, but it's amazing.

I use a shotgun with an open-choke almost exclusively at night. Not as romantical as a "predator rifle" but hey, it works. I use lighter loads than some because of damage to the fur (that would probably change some today because of the obvious lack of VALUE to the fur).

My next choice for nighttime weaponry is a .22 Mag. Daytime too, it's a hugely versatile round, and with modern loads is good to somewhere around 150 yards. After that, it's a .204 all the way for me. Love my .204's.

There you go- a story. If I'm still doing YouTube videos next year I think that I would do some night time calling stuff. MO recently opened up some rules about using some lights (we never have been able to, stupid). They even allow the use of some night vision. Weird. But I think I could do some video that would be different then most (everything I do is different than most) and might be entertaining. we'll see.

Good luck, be safe, and make sure of the target. It's dark out, remember.

Dale

[fishballer06]

Thanks for the info, Dale. From everything I have researched, it does appear that night time calling is easier from what everyone says.

I look forward to the challenge and learning curve. You mentioned using a shotgun. What size shot do you like to use? Here in PA, the biggest we're allowed to use is #4 Buckshot. But when I shop around, it seems like I can find #4 birdshot, and then the next available thing up in size is #00 buckshot.

Funny story, I once shot a fox while rabbit hunting. The thing ran up 4 feet away from me and stopped and looked me in the face, just in time to realize he was looking down the wrong end of the barrel because I was already on him before he stopped. The #8 birdshot did the trick at point blank, but I would never take a small game load out for dogs.

[D.W. Verts]

Well you're gonna say "what?!?", but a heavy load of 4's or 5's will do the trick to forty yards or so. And I don't mean 3-1/2" heavy- I've shot a ton of 'em with BABY mags (2-3/4") stuffed with copper-plated and buffered smaller shot. If I knew I was after 'yotes only I'd maybe go with 2's, but the smaller stuff works (I can handload if need be, so whatever).

Calling at night can be/should be a little closer of an affair than daytime. Except in rare circumstances 100 yards is a LONG way, but of course that depends on the terrain. I just set up different at night. Of all things I set up on bobcat for a little LONGER shot than daytime, 'cuz they're so darn sneaky- I need to SEE them.

Like I said- if I'm still doing YouTube vids next year I think I'll do a few on calling and night hunting. It might be fun. Or not.

Dale

[Snoopyta]

Seems like there's a lot of interest in finding the best scopes for different uses, whether it's hunting, target shooting, or just plinking around. Personally, I think it's crucial to hear from real users about how these scopes perform in the field.

[D.W. Verts]

I am known for NO technology. I prefer it that way in pretty much all my outdoor endeavors, ESPECIALLY hunting. Learning the wind (even if it's just thermals) is probably the biggest trick, at least with K-9's. And lots of patience 'cuz you're gonna screw up. A lot.

Dale

[nmanley]

I use a combination of an electronic caller and a red light for better visibility at night. The Foxpro gear you got should serve you well.

[FlatsNBay]

I've called a few in while turkey hunting. Coyotes love a hen turkey call. They will respond really well to a siren too. I can attest to that one!