Leveraging Full Moon Nights for Coyote Hunting

Full moon nights present a unique opportunity for coyote hunters. The increased natural light allows coyotes to travel, hunt, and scout more actively, making them more visible and predictable. Hunters who understand how to leverage these conditions can increase success while maintaining ethical and safe practices.

Why Full Moon Nights Matter

• Increased Predator Activity: Coyotes are mostly nocturnal and crepuscular. The extra light of a full moon encourages longer periods of hunting and movement.

• Better Visibility: Natural moonlight improves your ability to spot coyotes from ridgelines, field edges, or timber breaks.

• Predictable Patterns: Coyotes often follow familiar travel corridors during full moon nights, making ambush setups more reliable.

Preparing for Full Moon Hunts

Scout During Daylight

• Identify travel routes: fence lines, creek bottoms, ridgelines, and field-timber transitions.

• Look for signs of prey activity: rabbits, rodents, or small mammals attract coyotes, especially during winter or low prey availability.

• Note cover and sightlines: Choose locations where coyotes naturally pass and where you can remain concealed.

Nighttime Gear Essentials

• Optics & Night Vision: Binoculars or night-vision/thermal scopes help detect movement without spooking coyotes.

• Calling Equipment: Electronic or mouth calls — distress calls for prey, yips or howls for territorial responses.

• Decoys: Prey decoys or coyote silhouettes draw coyotes toward your calling setup.

• Lighting & Safety: Use low-intensity flashlights for setup and safety; avoid illuminating coyotes or scaring them off.

• Warm, layered clothing: Full moon hunts often require extended periods of stillness in open fields or exposed ridges.

Calling & Decoy Strategies

• Use calls sparingly: Coyotes are intelligent and cautious; constant calling can deter approach.

• Prey decoys: Rabbit or rodent decoys paired with distress calls are highly effective during active hunting periods.

• Coyote silhouette decoys: Effective for triggering curiosity or territorial behavior during breeding seasons.

• Placement: Set decoys downwind of your blind, with a clear approach path for coyotes to investigate.

Positioning & Wind Considerations

• Downwind setups: Ensure wind carries your scent away from the expected approach path.

• Natural funnels: Use terrain features like ridges, ditches, or field edges to funnel coyotes toward your decoy setup.

• Concealment: Full moon nights provide more visibility, so extra care in selecting blinds or natural cover is essential.

Timing Tips

• Begin calling just after sunset to intercept early nocturnal activity, continuing through peak moonlight hours.

• Avoid peak hunting pressure times when coyotes may be wary due to human scent or activity.

• Observe local prey activity — coyotes often follow prey rather than purely territorial patterns.

Safety & Ethical Considerations

• Ensure you can clearly identify your target and have a safe shooting background, especially at night.

• Use non-toxic ammunition and follow local hunting regulations for firearms or archery at night.

• Avoid indiscriminate shooting; focus on single, ethical shots.

• Respect private property, public land restrictions, and local ordinances regarding night hunting.

Key Takeaways

1. Full moon nights increase coyote activity and visibility.

2. Scout in daylight to locate corridors, prey hotspots, and ideal ambush locations.

3. Use calls and decoys strategically — not excessively — to lure coyotes.

4. Position downwind in natural funnels, with proper concealment and safety measures.

5. Prioritize ethical harvest and adherence to local hunting laws.

Leveraging full moon conditions can dramatically improve predator hunting success when combined with careful preparation, strategic calling, and proper fieldcraft.