Sounds for Late-Season (March) Success by Jon Collins

Jon Collins with a coyote successfully called in using a FOXPRO Hi-Jack digital game call

March coyote calling is what many hunters consider the "late-season." Hardcore coyote callers have been hunting since fall began, and some have even been calling through the summer. By March, there have been a lot of coyotes killed and many coyotes called to. The coyotes that have made it to late season are most likely educated. Simply put, March calling can be tough. But, that doesn't mean you can't put together some successful stands. To find success you may need to start thinking outside the box with your sound file selection.

A tactic that can help produce March coyotes is running sounds that are not commonly used by you or by other hunters in your area. Many of us fall in the rut of running a ton of cottontail rabbit distress throughout the fall and winter months. Come March, it's probably hard to find a coyote that hasn't heard a cottontail sound. March also brings the tail end of the breeding season. Many hunters have been running coyote vocals through January and February such as howls, breeding sounds, pup distresses, and coyote fights trying to capitalize on the time period. It might be time for you to try some different sounds.

BIRD DISTRESS

Bird sounds are a great change from the norm. They are fast paced, excitable sounds and generally have a totally different pitch than a squalling rabbit, and the sound carries surprisingly well. Better yet, the sounds of a bird in trouble can produce hard charging coyotes looking for an easy meal. Some of my favorites are Nutty Nuthatch, Lucky Bird, Male Cardinal Distress, Woodpecker, and Brown Thrasher.

JACKRABBIT and SNOWSHOE HARE

Jackrabbit and Snowshoe Hare distresses are practically irresistible to coyotes! There's probably not a jackrabbit or snowshoe hare within 1,000 miles of me in my home state of Kentucky, but the coyotes don't know that. Coyotes don't reason: they're all instinct. All they're hearing is something dying which equates to a free meal. These sounds have a loud, course voice. Some are fast paced, and some are lazy. I've called truckloads of coyotes to jackrabbit and snowshoe sounds. I highly suggest you give them a try as well if you don't normally play them. They could be that change of pace you need to call in your next coyote. My personal favorites are Jackrabbit Distress, Lightning Jack, Devil Hare, Snowshoe Hare 2, and Snowshoe Hare HP.

RODENTS

Don't forget about the rodents! Mice, voles, and squirrels are all tasty treats for a coyote, and they'll definitely come running to the sounds. I've been on late-season coyote stands where friends gave me a disconcerted look when they heard Flying Squirrel singing out of my FOXPRO. Haha! That look quickly disappears when they see a coyote come rushing in, almost running over the call in search of the squirrel. The more subtle sounds of mice and voles can also be the ticket for pressured coyotes. Personal favorites include Flying Squirrel, Field Mouse Distress, and Vole Squeaks.

FOX DISTRESS

Fox distress sounds aren't just for fox! Hunters know how well these sounds can work on fox, but they can also be dynamite for calling coyotes. Most fox distress sounds are very desperate sounding and fast paced - which coyotes love. A couple of my favorite fox sounds to use on call shy coyotes are Platinum Grey Fox and Juvenile Red Fox Distress.

RACCOON SOUNDS

Raccoon distresses and raccoon fights are deadly! You're liable to call in anything when running a raccoon distress. I've seen raccoons, coyotes, and bobcats respond to them. Raccoon Fight has produced some great results as well. One of my favorite tactics is to put FOXFUSION to work mixing Raccoon Fight and Coyote Pup Screams. This can produce hard charging coyotes, and it also works great on hung up coyotes as well.

CLOSING

If you find your call-ins slowing down in the late-season don't be afraid to try sounds that you've never used before. You may be impressed with the results.

Shoot straight and shoot often.