One might say that hunting coyotes is all the same, no matter where you are at. But there definitely seems to be some major differences between coyotes that live on the western side of the country and those that live on the eastern side. What are some of these differences, and how can you use them to be more successful no matter where you are?
Eastern Coyotes
Eastern coyotes tend to be a lot bigger than western coyotes. Many people debate on why exactly this is, and there are many theories such as better food sources, easier living conditions, etc. They also tend to behave a little differently than their western counterparts. An example of this is when you are using distress calls to lure them into a location. Eastern coyotes are used to thicker brush and terrain and will attempt to get as close as they can to noise without being seen.
These canines will often sit at the edge of fields or trees and try to visually see the source of the sound before committing right away. Again, this often has to do with the vegetation and the terrain that they are living in which in turn affects their patterns and behaviors when they are on the hunt!
Western Coyotes
Now let’s take a look at western coyotes. While technically the same exact species, coyotes found in the western half of the country tend to be much smaller. On the other hand, they also seem to be much more numerous and capable of adapting. But often the biggest difference that hunters will notice about western coyotes is how they act and respond to calling when compared to their eastern brothers.
Because the west has more open terrain, these predators tend to run in a lot faster and more aggressive than those in the east. This could also have to do with the added completion of more coyotes as well as other predators such as foxes, bobcats, wolves, bears, and mountain lions. This means that western coyotes tend to respond much better to distress calls. Of course, this is just a general statement and it really all depends on the terrain they are living in and the type of hunting pressure they are used to seeing.
Final Thoughts
Even though western and eastern coyotes are a part of the same species, many hunters often view them as two separate species entirely. While they may act a little different from one another, there is still no doubt that both of them are equally as fun to hunt during hunting season!
Want to know more about coyote hunting? Check out the articles below:
Coyotes In The Wild: How To Scout And Locate Them
Predator Hunting: Pursuing Bear, Mountain Lion, Coyote, Wolf, and Bobcat
For more great ideas on how to fish and hunt from the experts, check out the awesome articles on our Bradley Smoker Hunting & Fishing Blog for more great tips & tricks.
