How to Call in a Coyote With a Howling Call

Coyotes are wild canines and are found throughout most of North America. Coyotes are known to be highly intelligent and extremely adaptable to human habitats and contact. Coyotes are seen in major cities, testament to the adaptability of the animal. Calling coyotes in with a variety of calls, a howl included, allows better observation (or hunting) of the creature. Coyotes are the loners of the North American wild canines, much more so than the gregarious and pack-oriented wolves.

Things You'll Need

  • Coyote mouth call
  • Coyote vocal recordings
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Instructions

    • 1

      Listen to the coyote vocalization recordings and get a solid understanding of the animals' vocal range. Chirps, yips, barks and howls are all part of the coyote's communications. Notice the bay-howl calls and how they crescendo up to a high pitch, starting at a lower and more guttural roll. Practice making these noises at home. Remember that human lungs are much larger than the coyote's and that our attempts are often too loud. Try to manage the volume of the call so as not to scare coyotes away.

    • 2

      Familiarize yourself with the coyote mouth call. This is a short tube where one end is placed next to the lips. Blow into the call and keep a hand over the open end and begin to "bend" the noises coming out of the call, much like bending notes with a harmonica. Once familiar, head out into the field to begin trying to call for coyotes.

    • 3

      Look for coyote signs such as tracks, scat or old food caches such as bird carcasses or animal bones. Once you find an area that coyotes are frequenting, find a hidden location where your movements and scent are hidden from the coyotes. Keep in mind coyotes are extremely wary and crafty. Your hiding position needs to be heavily hidden and camouflaged.

    • 4

      Wait until sunset and begin to listen for coyotes. Once you hear them, begin your calls by using the mouth call and making it sound like a dying animal such as the low chirps or a wounded rabbit. This brings the coyotes in closer and gets their curiosity piqued.

    • 5

      Use your practiced throat howl and keep the volume low. Always remember that the human lungs are more powerful than the coyotes and a howl that is too loud or piercing is recognized as fake by the coyote.