ATVs and Coyote Hunting
I got this coyote while calling from a 4 wheeler
It was 12 degrees today, I spent most of the day outside, feeding cows and checking water tanks. I took off on the 4 wheeler about 2:00. I took my rifle as well. I had a couple of things to do but thought I might call a coyote or 2 on the way home. I’ve tried calling coyotes from 4 wheelers before but have alway gotten pretty cold doing it. One thing about coyote hunting in your pickup you can warm up between stands. Many calling contests do not allow 4 wheelers because many people use them to run coyotes down, they also don’t allow shotguns for this same reason. I agree with those rules, but I’m going to give my leasure calling from an ATV more of a chance. This fall I bought my first ATV since moving back to the ranch, with it and the new .243 from the last post we got a coyote. Here are a few of the Pros and Cons for using an ATV while out calling coyotes.
Pros:
Less overall noise: I understand ATVs are louder than most gasoline pickups, but you don’t have to go to every stand driving 30mph, you don’t do that in your pickup. Throttle down a little as you travel between stands, there are no slamming of doors, dinging of alarms, or radios to give away your intentions. Also by traveling slower less chance of breaking your neck.
More stand opportunities: Depending on the weather and my mood, my stand opportunities in a pickup are limited, how many times have you pulled up to an area as far as you could go and said to yourself “I bet there is a coyote down there” but after awhile you decide it’s too far to walk. This usually happens to me at the end of a day of calling. I’m wore out and I just can’t bring myself to walk 1/4 of a mile to get a coyote. On an ATV I can get in farther, undetected. Less walking means more stands, more stands should equal more coyotes.
I’m sure I will find more pros as I experiment more with this idea.
Cons
Cold: ATVs have no heater or cab to keep you warm, unless you splurge and buy a cab kit for a new Rhino, Ranger or any other Side by side ATV. Even with a cab the heaters in these don’t work the best and the set up puts you out as much as a late model used pickup. I am somewhat of a wimp when it comes to being cold, I can’t wait to get my fingers shoved down the defrost when the pickup warms up. However with better cold weather hunting gear, it’s getting easier to brave the elements all the time. ATVs have you exposed to the elements, if it’s 5 degrees with a 15mph wind your windchill can be anywhere around 10-20 degrees below 0 and you and driving an ATV another 15mph you are making it that much colder going from stand to stand.
Hunting with friends: For me hunting is all about spending time with friends, I hunt plenty by myself, but I really enjoy hunting with my buddies, on and ATV you are perhaps a little to close for comfort if you know what I mean. A side by side would be better for this, but even then its hard to get 3 or 4 guys together without multiple ATVs, and the more you have the more potential noise you might make.
I guess it’s really up to the hunter, but being someone who has been against it in the past, you will see me packing an ATV around more often this winter. Stay tuned to see how I fair.