I got up my usual time and kicked the wife out of bed so she could go to the gym and I could go to the woods. I checked the dove fields first to see if any pigs might be rooting around.

Found no pigs so headed to a spot near where I wanted to call for coyotes. I hadn’t ever called here before, but howling the day before told me this is where they were the same time yesterday morning.

As soon as I shut the truck off I heard barking. I got gun, tripod, and e-caller and started heading that towards the barking while following the road and keeping the wind right. I kept getting closer but never could see it in the scope. Now I’m starting to think I have traps on drags in the area and this joker is hung up. I decided to break out the caller and see what happens seeing how it suddenly quit barking.

I set up where I thought I’d have the best view and started with a howl. That coyote answered the howl with barks again. I switched to a prey distress and eased the volume down as it played. Nothing after a minute or so, so I shut it off and just stood there scanning for a couple minutes listening to dead silence.

I figured if it was indeed caught and maybe other coyotes were nearby I’d hit them with a female challenge barks. That did the trick. That joker started barking and had moved. I had the volume of the caller about half output so I could hear them both and keep scanning the direction the barks were coming from. It wasn’t 30sec and I can see it through the brush jumping up looking for the intruder and barking.

I got it in the crosshairs and squeezed the trigger…click!! Forgot to chamber a round. I thought I’d blown it, but she stayed put while I quietly chambered a round. I got back on her and all I could see was the head and squeezed the trigger again and she dropped.

If anyone has ever wondered what a 165gr Remington Core-Lokt Tipoed does to a coyote dome, let just say it leaves a mess.

My question is what was she barking at? Why was she so vocal prior to calling to her? She wasn’t caught like I thought. It’s possible she saw the truck on the drive in, but not parked. She possibly could’ve seen me on the walk in even though I couldn’t see her. Now don’t get me wrong, I like it when they let you know where they are, lol. I’m just curious if anyone else had how them barking like crazy?

Was a different one caught and hung up nearby?

I'm not a "coyote guy" by any stretch, but I've had coyotes barking at each other while deer hunting. I assumed it was two groups defending territory. I would hear the barking from two woodlots about 300 yards apart, then one or two would run back and forth, like they were charging then retreating. Went on for the better part of a few hours.

And yeah, I can imagine what a 165 would do. 180gr PSP's out of an 06 aren't real fur friendly either.

More than likely a warning bark. Or another coyote knew u were there. Just not smart enough to leave. Lucky to get it.

Like yes sir says. Barks are usually warnings. If they bark and wait and bark and wait and it sounds angry it is. It may have seen you or heard the truck or something else and it didn't like it. you are lucky to have gotten that one. Many times they se you and retreat a little and you cannot see them at all while they bark at you.

The only thing you can do is what you mentioned- challenge back - but 10 % less volume than the one barking. It probably knew you were there.

Might have had pups in the vicinity and her maternal instincts were stronger than her survival ones

How close did u park to ur stand

I was probably about 400yds but over a hill. I even took a route to specifically not be seen or heard. I know the roads so I don’t use lights driving in, just drive by starlight.

Didn’t have anything in the traps which is normal out there. Make a catch and that area won’t see another track for weeks.

She was over a hill as well. That’s the only reason I could imagine her not seeing me.

As far as pups or what I call pups right now, they’re pretty big. Not full grown size, but not little pups either. When I’ve called before it seems the pups charge in. Granted they hang up a ways and the parent will generally come in close, but still they lead the pack generally when coming in.

I’ve heard them bark when we’ve run dogs for hogs so I’m familiar with their barking and knew immediately it was a coyote. She wasn’t huge but don’t think she’s a pup.

Pups normally won't charge in after a warning bark and she might have been closer, like ur side of hill before she started barking or you heard her barking.

Check teeth. That should tell you age wise. To me it looks like a pup but we’ve got wide range of critter sizes to so could be adult.

Around here tgey would have 100% known you were there if you were driving within 400 yards. Barking usually has me turning around and leaving before they get educated more

Im starting to believe that you have a higher population of coyotes than you let on lol. Good shooting

I believe we do too now. They went in and clear cut sections of the property near us and I believe they pushed a lot of everything over our way. New bucks on cameras this year, pigs like we’ve never had them, and now coyotes. I don’t know if packs move, but I’m hearing none where I shot 3.

Around here coyotes can catch on to the calling game pretty quick and go silent
If ur calling in any cover I wouldn't be surprised if as many are circling downwind or coming in from downwind as what comes in out front. And as u call more it will only increase.