Hunting for Coyotes in Open Plains

Why Coyotes Are Challenging in Open Plains

Unlike wooded environments, the plains give coyotes:

Long sightlines
Ample escape routes
Excellent hearing
Constant wind advantage
The ability to spot hunters from 600+ yards

To succeed, you must hunt like a plains predator: smart, quiet, and deliberate.

Understanding Coyote Behavior in Open Country

Key Traits

Travel low spots and subtle terrain dips
Bed on sun-exposed hills or grassy knobs
Use wind to check calling setups from a distance
Approach calls downwind or crosswind
Respond differently by season (breeding, dispersal, pup season)

Coyotes survive by staying cautious—especially in landscapes with little cover.

Essential Gear for Plains Coyote Hunts

Rifles & Calibers

You need accuracy and reach:

.243 Win
.22-250 Rem
.223/5.56 (with good bullets)
.204 Ruger
6mm Creedmoor

Shots often range from 100–300 yards.

Optics

3–12x or 4–16x scope
Binos for glassing distant movement
Rangefinder for precise yardage

Clothing & Accessories

Neutral earth-tone camo
Shooting sticks or bipod
Wind checker powder
Backrest or low-profile seat
Hand calls and/or e-caller
Lightweight decoy (optional)

Mobility and comfort matter when making multiple stands.

Scouting Coyotes in the Plains

1. Look for Sign

Tracks along dirt roads
Scat on ridgelines
Trails in tall grass
Fresh kill sites

Coyotes travel predictable routes if you identify them correctly.

2. Listen at Dawn and Dusk

Howling sessions help you:

Locate dens
Identify resident pairs
Determine active basins or valleys

Sound travels far across plains—use it.

3. Glass From High Points

Use ridges or windmill berms to:

Spot coyotes mousing
Note travel lanes
Identify brush pockets for stands

Visibility helps you pick the best calling locations.

Best Stand Locations in Open Plains

1. Slight Elevation Advantage

Sit on:

Low rises
Berms
Hill shoulders

Avoid sky-lining yourself. Stay just below the crest.

2. Downwind Barrier

Coyotes circle downwind. Use features that limit this:

Fence lines
Cliffs
Deep draws
Ravines or gullies

Force coyotes into visible kill zones.

3. Terrain Funnels

Even open plains have subtle funnels:

Grass breaks
Sage strips
Creek-bottom flats
Dry washouts

Set up where coyotes naturally travel.

Calling Coyotes in Open Plains

Start Quiet—Then Ramp Up

Coyotes may be closer than you think.

Sequence:

Soft distress or lone howl
Wait 2–3 minutes
Increase volume to match wind
Add pup distress if no response after 10–15 minutes

Stay realistic—sound travels extremely far in open country.

When to Use Howls

Winter and early spring: lone howls, challenge howls, interrogation
Summer: pup distress and whines
Fall dispersal: prey distress and group howls

Match your calling to seasonal behavior.

Electronic vs. Mouth Calls

E-callers are ideal in plains:

Set caller 30–80 yards upwind
Draws coyote attention away from you
Helps control downwind approach lanes

Mouth calls add realism and spontaneity—great for close coyotes.

Decoy Use on the Plains

Decoys can help when:

Hunting pressured coyotes
Calling during breeding season
Using distress sounds

Use:

Fuzzy topper decoys
Motion rabbit decoys
Low-profile coyote decoys for territorial sets

Place the decoy near the call—never near your position.

Wind Strategy: Your #1 Priority

Best Setup:

Wind crossing your face
Caller upwind
Shooting lanes covering downwind approach
Barrier at your back if possible

Coyotes will always try to smell the sound source—plan for it.

Timing & Seasonal Best Practices

Early Season (Fall Dispersal)

Young, naive coyotes
Easiest hunting
Prey distress works well

Mid-Winter

Breeding season
Howls extremely effective
Great for calling mature pairs

Late Winter / Early Spring

Territory at peak tension
Challenge howls bring aggressive responses

Summer

Pup distress is deadly
Coyotes respond to protect or gather young

Match sound to season for best results.

Shooting Tips for Open-Plains Coyotes

Use shooting sticks for all but the closest shots
Keep your rifle up and ready—the approach is fast
Wait until the coyote commits to a line before squeezing
Follow through—many coyotes run even when hit
Mark where the animal disappears into grass

Wind drift is real—account for it beyond 150 yards.

Tips for Consistent Coyote Success

Make multiple 12–20 minute stands
Stay low and hidden—minimal silhouette
Control your scent and wind meticulously
Use natural terrain to funnel coyotes
Don’t overcall—use pauses to trigger curiosity
Move silently between stands
Scout before you hunt

Predator hunting is a game of precision and patience.

Why Book a Coyote Hunt Through Find A Hunt?

Coyote behavior varies widely across open plains depending on pressure, food availability, and terrain features. Booking through our hunt marketplace provides:

Access to private ranch lands with low-pressure coyotes
Experienced callers and long-range shooting setups
Early- and late-season predator packages
Safe, well-planned stands tailored to wind and terrain
Opportunities for doubles and fast-paced action

Guides help you cut down the guesswork and focus on calling coyotes into confident shooting range.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I stay on each stand?

12–20 minutes is standard; windier days may require longer.

What’s the best caliber for plains coyotes?

.22-250 or .243 for longer shots; .223 works well under 300 yards.

Should I use decoys?

Optional but effective—especially with distress or breeding-season sets.

How close will coyotes come in open plains?

Anywhere from 20 to 200+ yards depending on terrain and pressure.

When is the best time of day?

Early morning and late afternoon, but midday works during winter breeding.

If you want this tailored to a specific state (Colorado, Montana, Kansas, North Dakota, etc.) or outfitter property, just let me know and I’ll customize it.