With turkey season approaching, and with quail season in full swing, it is no surprise coyote hunting has crossed a lot of hunter's minds because coyotes eat small game. Stop by or call us today for coyote hunting supplies!Coyote hunting is a relatively new Georgia hunting tradition because coyotes are considered an invasive species. They have not always been in the neighborhood. While the GA Dept. of Natural Resources notes the coyote keeps wildlife balanced in the state, it also recognizes the animal as a non-native predator. Learn more about the coyote in Georgia here: http://georgiawildlife.com/node/1391
If you have thought about hunting coyotes, here are a few tips to get you started.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT.
The first question a hunter should ask is are there coyotes in my area? Look for signs of coyote droppings or tracks. Ask around! Coyotes feed on everything from mice to turkey, even deer- coyote food can be found throughout Georgia.
CAN THE COYOTE HEAR YOU NOW?
Calling the coyote to you, away from its den, is your best bet at a good shot. Calls should imitate mating calls, territorial calls or alert calls. Another approach is an injured animal call. Lure the coyote to what they think is potential dinner- it’s hard to turn down a good meal! Coyotes are smart and can figure out calls. It is essential to have good plan before you set up for the hunt. Are you going to use a coyote call or prey in distress call? Many hunters believe sticking to one or the other yields better results.
A NOSE FOR TROUBLE.
Coyotes have a great sense of smell so trying to hunt downwind is a must. Mask your scent as much as possible.
SO I KILLED A COYOTE…NOW WHAT?!?
Coyotes are very prized for their pelts! The fur makes for a great looking mount or loose pelt. But apart from pelts or mounting the animal, can you eat coyote? Well...yes! Guides have told us its not the best meat but its good if prepared right. Like bear or cougar meat, coyote must be cooked well done and NEVER eaten undercooked. Consider freezing the meat for 90 days to help with food safety. Many recipes applaud marinades for working wonders on coyote meat.
We found this recipe submitted by a reader on the Field and Stream Magazine website:
2-4 lbs of coyote meat
16 oz of apricot preserves
1 bottle BBQ sauce
1/2 purple onion diced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Throw it in the crock pot and let it cook for 8 hours. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
(While we have not tried this recipe, anything with BBQ sauce sounds good to us!)
