Best time to hunt coyotes: season, time of day, weather and moon

When to hunt coyotes: the best months (breeding and pup dispersal), the best time of day and night, weather, wind and full moon hunting, plus calling tips.

Coyotes are smart, wary and active all year. The best hunters don't call more, they call at the right time: when coyotes are hungry, curious or territorial.

Best months to hunt coyotes

Period	Why it works
October–November	Young coyotes disperse and look for new territory. Inexperienced and responsive to distress calls.
December–February	Many hunters' favorite. Cold weather means hungry coyotes, prime fur, and from January the breeding season makes them territorial. Howls and challenge barks work.
March–April	Pairs defend dens. Territorial calls still work but coyotes become more cautious.
Summer	Pups and dens. Coyotes stay close to home; pup distress calls can work, check local rules.

Best time of day

Dawn (the first hour around sunrise): coyotes are heading back to bedding areas and still hungry. Excellent.
Dusk (the last hour of light): coyotes start their night activity.
Midday in winter: cold, cloudy days can be surprisingly good; hungry coyotes hunt in daylight.
Night: where legal, night hunting is often the most productive. Coyotes are mainly nocturnal in pressured areas.

Coyote hunting and the moon

Full moon: coyotes hunt by sight under a bright moon and are more active all night. Many night hunters like the nights around the full moon because they can see without lights. But coyotes can also see you: use shadows and backdrops.
New moon: darker nights are better for hunting with lights or thermal where legal. Coyotes are more confident in the dark.
Day after a full moon: coyotes may be less active at dawn after hunting all night.
Moonrise and moonset are minor solunar periods: a moonrise soon after dark is a good time to start a night stand.

Night hunting rules (lights, thermal, night vision, permits) differ a lot by state, and on public land may be restricted. Check before you go.

Weather

Cold fronts: the day after a front is often the best of the week.
Snow: fresh snow shows where coyotes travel and makes them hungry. Calm, cold days after a snow are excellent.
Wind: the most important factor. Coyotes nearly always circle downwind of the call. Set up with the wind in your face or crossing, and have a partner covering the downwind side. Very strong wind kills sound and makes coyotes nervous.
Barometric pressure: stable or rising pressure after a storm tends to bring movement.

Calling tips

Stand length: 15–20 minutes in open country, 20–30 minutes in heavy cover and at night.
Start soft, then louder. A coyote may be closer than you think.
Prey distress (rabbit, rodent) works all year; howls and challenge barks shine in the breeding season.
Move 1/2 mile or more between stands.
Approach quietly and stay hidden on the skyline.

Plan your coyote hunt

Pick a cold, calm or lightly windy day after a front.
Hunt dawn and dusk, or nights near the full moon where legal.
Start the stand during a solunar window when you can.

Solunar shows sunrise, sunset, moonrise and moonset, moon phase and solunar windows offline, even out where there's no signal.