Quick Answer
Late winter, typically from February to March, is considered the best time to hunt coyotes in the northern hemisphere, when temperatures are below freezing and snow covers the ground.
Winter Coyote Hunting: Understanding the Weather
Coyotes are highly adaptable, but they have specific preferences when it comes to weather conditions. In the winter, they tend to hunt during the warmest part of the day, usually between 10 am and 2 pm, when the sun is high in the sky. This behavior often coincides with the peak hours for hunting.
Flat-Shooting Cartridges for Winter Coyote Hunting
A flat-shooting cartridge is crucial for winter coyote hunting, as it allows you to engage targets at longer ranges without bullet drop becoming a significant factor. For .223 Remington, cartridges like the 55-grain V-Max or the 69-grain Sierra MatchKing are excellent choices. In .308 Winchester, consider the 125-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip or the 150-grain Sierra MatchKing. These cartridges will provide the necessary accuracy and penetration to take down coyotes at distances of up to 400 yards.
Snow Conditions and Tracking
Snow-covered terrain can make it easier to spot coyotes, but it also requires a different approach. Use a snow-tracking technique to follow coyote tracks, paying attention to the depth of the tracks and the distance between them. A fresh set of tracks will typically be deeper and closer together than a set that is a few hours old. This information can be invaluable in determining the coyote’s movement patterns and increasing your chances of a successful hunt.
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