This time of year there’s no shortage of talk about coyotes. They’ve been around for decades. I suppose a blanket of snow on the ground provides a visual reminder that these warry predators are close at hand.

Talk of coyotes is heightened at the close of deer season, and there has been a growing interest in coyote hunting. With so many tracks seen over the last month or two, hunting coyotes should be quick and easy. But it isn’t. Those who can consistently harvest coyotes, and not by luck or a chance encounter, are extremely skilled. But how do they accomplish the task? Skill and knowledge is the key.

For the most part, today’s hunters developed their skills by hunting deer, black bear, and wild turkeys, along with a variety of small game species. All of which are prey species. However in the case of coyotes, it is hunters pursuing hunters. That makes a difference when going afield. So where does today’s hunter begin to develop the skills needed to consistently outsmart today’s coyote?

Simply put, coyotes are smart. That in itself requires homework. A starting point comes from the pages of a relatively new book written by Michael Huff, “Understanding Coyotes”. The book is unquestionably one of the most interesting books today’s hunter can read.

Within the first few paragraphs of the introduction Huff writes, “Through this book you will discover the coyote’s extraordinary intelligence and its senses, so advanced they almost seem unbelievable when fully understood. This combination of intellect and sensory perfection enable the coyote to seemingly evade humans with ease and thrive in adverse conditions.”

After reading this book I felt vastly under gunned in my previous coyote hunting efforts. However Huff’s first book was just the beginning.

Now Huff has a new book, “Master Coyote Hunting”. This book is perhaps the most detailed and comprehensive coyote hunting book yet to be written.

Simply put, Huff has become a coyote expert. Not only does he share his knowledge within the pages of his book, but he is also a professional coyote guide.

To answer the question of “where to start,” you should read both of Huff’s books on coyotes. The knowledge gained will lessen the learning curve of any coyote hunter, new or experienced, dramatically.

Knowledge of the resource is one thing, getting them in up close and personal is another.

For just over 50 years spring turkey hunters have applied their calling skills to bring gobblers into shotgun range. The calling aspect of the hunt is exciting and keeps hunters coming back. The same is true for those hunting coyotes.

The folks at FoxPro have become one of the top call manufacturers in the nation. The company was founded by John Dillon by helping his sons, Mike and Steve, use a large cumbersome game call of the era that utilized cassette tapes. John thought there had to be a better way.

By trade John was in the electronics business and experimented with a number of non-mechanical devices to deliver the sounds needed to call various species of wildlife. With the electronics finalized, the housing was the next portion of the call to be developed. The housing selected was a Rayovac flashlight. The electronics were installed in the flashlight housing and the first FoxPro was born.

Each call was built one at a time, which holds true to this day.

Over time FoxPro began to grow. From the space afforded by a garage, today FoxPro is located near Lewistown, PA. The company is housed in a 45,000 square foot facility with a staff of 70 producing game calls that are sold worldwide.

I had the opportunity to tour the FoxPro facility where the electronic game calls are designed. Each call is fine tuned to mimic the animals to be called. And while on site, I was given a sneak preview of design work that was under development.

Within the manufacturing process it was amazing to watch as products such as circuit boards and other manufacturing details were, for the most part, all done by hand. No short cutting on quality at FoxPro.

But simply running a call will not bring every coyote in the area coming to your call. Again, knowledge is once again the key to success.

FoxPro provides information on their product line via www.gofoxPro.com and on their Facebook page at FoxPro Game Calls. The page is popular with 157,939 followers.

Also FoxPro can be found at the Great American Outdoor Show held at the State Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA, Feb 2 – 10th. FoxPro will be located in the Outdoor Products hall, booth 3811.

Michael Huff’s book, “Master Coyote Hunting” can be ordered on www.Amazon.com  

Knowledge gained before going afield is important. However applying what you have learned and applying that knowledge to time spent in the field is the way you can become a successful coyote hunter.

This year there are at least 30 coyote hunts scheduled for this winter in PA. Between scheduled hunts and just going out on your own, there are plenty of opportunities for those willing to take up the challenge.

Charlie Burchfield is an active member and past president of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, an active member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association, Outdoor Writers Assoc. of America and the Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers. Gateway Outdoors e-mail is GWOutdoors@comcast.net