Why Public Lands Are Ideal for Coyote Hunting in Wyoming
Wyoming offers vast public land areas, including national forests, BLM lands, and state-managed wildlife areas, which are prime terrain for coyote hunting. These lands provide expansive, relatively undisturbed habitats where coyotes are abundant. Public lands also allow hunters to access remote areas with minimal private property restrictions, giving a true wilderness hunting experience.
Understanding Coyote Behavior in Open Landscapes
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Territorial Patterns: Coyotes maintain territories but are highly mobile; they travel widely in search of food.
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Activity Times: Predominantly crepuscular — active at dawn and dusk — but hunting patterns can vary seasonally.
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Food Sources: Coyotes follow prey patterns (rabbits, rodents, deer fawns, livestock) and respond to vocalizations mimicking distress or prey.
Legal Considerations on Public Lands
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Licensing: Wyoming requires a valid hunting license to pursue coyotes. No special tag is generally required, but hunters must follow general hunting laws. (wgfd.wyo.gov)
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Season: Coyotes can be hunted year-round on public land in many units, but check local restrictions.
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Weapon Regulations: Ensure firearms, bows, or other methods comply with state and public land rules.
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Land Use Rules: BLM, Forest Service, and state lands may have specific access or vehicle use restrictions. Always verify access maps and regulations.
Public Land Hunting Strategies
1. Scouting & Reconnaissance
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Identify travel corridors: fence lines, creek beds, ridge lines, and open valleys.
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Use topo maps, aerial imagery, and trail cameras to locate high-traffic areas.
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Pay attention to coyote sign: tracks, scat, and kill remains.
2. Stand and Blind Placement
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Elevation is key: ridges, draws, and knolls provide visibility and wind advantage.
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Concealment: natural cover such as sagebrush, rock outcrops, or tree lines helps keep hunters undetected.
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Consider wind direction: coyotes have keen scent detection. Approach from downwind whenever possible.
3. Calling Techniques
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Distress calls: rabbit, fawn, or crow distress calls can lure coyotes within shooting range.
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Howls and yips: stimulate territorial or social responses from nearby coyotes.
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Silence periods: alternating calling with quiet observation can trigger movement.
4. Ambush vs. Spot-and- stalk
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Ambush: Ideal near food sources or travel corridors; relies on patience and concealment.
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Spot-and-stalk: Works in open terrain where coyotes can be visually located from a distance, allowing careful approach.
Equipment Recommendations
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Firearms: Rifles or shotguns suitable for mid- to long-range shots, depending on terrain.
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Calls: Electronic or manual calls tuned for distress or social cues.
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Optics: Binoculars or spotting scopes to locate distant coyotes across valleys or open prairie.
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Camouflage: Patterns matching sagebrush, grasslands, or wooded areas.
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Safety Gear: GPS, maps, or a satellite communication device for remote wilderness hunts.
Safety and Ethical Practices
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Always identify targets fully before shooting; coyotes often share habitat with deer, elk, or pets.
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Maintain awareness of hunters in the area; public lands can be heavily used.
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Respect seasonal closures, sensitive wildlife areas, and private land boundaries adjacent to public land.
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Retrieve and dispose of carcasses responsibly if harvesting.
Maximizing Success
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Hunt during peak activity hours (dawn and dusk) and after observing prey movement patterns.
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Rotate hunting spots regularly; coyotes are highly adaptable and may avoid repeated pressure.
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Combine calling strategies with knowledge of local terrain for ambush setups.
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Record sightings and activity patterns to plan future hunts more effectively.
Wyoming’s public lands provide unmatched opportunities for coyote hunting. By understanding terrain, coyote behavior, and legal considerations — and using strategic scouting, calling, and concealment — hunters can effectively pursue coyotes in the state’s vast and rugged wilderness.
