There has always been a life-long dispute whether to hunt predators or if prey (deer) numbers would eventually regulate natural population of predators. Hunting and trapping is the most important tool used in maintaining healthy wildlife populations. This leads to the question. Do you want predators to regulate your deer numbers or do you want savage axis xp 6.5 hunters to be the one controlling deer numbers?
If an area is over run with predators, prey numbers decrease in these areas because they are pressured to survive or move to other areas with less pressure from predators. In turn if prey stay in an area it will have a negative impact on habitat by over grazing these areas. Eventually prey will need to move to areas with forage to survive. Predators will also move to new areas to hunt prey. By controlling predator numbers we can prevent habitat damage and increase the deer numbers in a given areas.
Many of coyotes natural predators have been eliminated, causing an increase in population. It is estimated that coyotes population in an area could increase 210 percent in a single year if left alone. Hunting in pairs and groups these skilled opportunistic hunters use fences, brush, creeks and even roadways to their advantage. Coyotes have become so dependent on feeding on fresh meat they hunt regardless if it is in the cover of night or in broad day light. Deer and spring fawns are the main food source for coyotes in the winter months. Thirty five percent of fawn deaths are attributed to coyotes each year.
Thirty five percent more deer each year in your favorite hunting area will no doubt increase your opportunity to harvest more and better deer. So should you hunt coyotes in your favorite big game area? The answer is YES! As you hunt those predators there are a few tips to consider before heading out.
1) Slip in quietly being sure to stay off the sky line.
2) Set up with the wind at 90 degrees or in your face.
3) Be sure to sit in front of brush to help break up your outline.
4) Make sure that you scope is turn to correct magnification for area you are hunting.
5) Always watch down wind as coyotes will almost always circle to check wind before coming into that area.
6) If you can not make a good shot, don’t take the shot. You will only be educating them and make it harder to get them in your sights again.