Want to learn about Varmit hunting have questions.

PistolCity · 01-25-2008, 06:53 AM

Ive always wanted to learn to hunt varmits. Ive seen a few yotes hear and there and enjoy watching them. Id like to proceed to hunting them. What type of gear do I need? The only rifle I have is a .17HMR will that do the trick? Or should I look into acquireing a .223? Electronic caller? Camo? Help please?

Id also like to try groundhog hunting, I beleive all I need for that though is a good sporting scope and the .17 right?

wily1 · 01-25-2008, 08:31 AM

Well I would leave the .17 home if you are really serious about coyote hunting. I have a .22 magnum and never considered using it for coyotes at "long distances". I live in Western Manitoba where there are a lot of chances at shots over 200 yards thus opted for the .223. Its a cheap round to shoot, up here in Canada you can get a box of 40 Winchester 45 gr JHP for around $20. There are a wide variety of bullet sizes and types for the .223. Camo depends on the terrain and up here where there is lot of snow I just wear all white. Calling again depends on what they would prey on. I use a Primos KI-YI that has a reed that can be moved to make different calls, Jackrabbit, Cottontail etc. But do what I did research and decide what you think will be the best. Talk to other people that hunt that area for advice on what to use.

neophyte · 01-25-2008, 09:16 AM

Pistolcity: Sir; I agree with "wili1" .223 "if" you have range available.
The .17hmr is a "responsible" round; providing you follow simple laws of physics.
Do not expect 100yds to be overly reliable.

Inside of 100yds head shot; down goes the coyote.
Ear hunting; base of the ear; bullet traveling greater than 1500fps; byby

17hmr is a very accurate round by design; trigger puller should practice to be as good as this design.

Do not Hurt any game with considerations for the game.

White Dog · 01-26-2008, 06:13 PM

Yep Wily1 Hase it Leave the 17 Home.But I Would not Use HP's amo If you dont want Big Holes in the pelt. Have fun Hunt Hard Keep Talking,Learning. (White Dog)

Quote:

Originally Posted by White Dog

Yep Wily1 Hase it Leave the 17 Home.But I Would not Use HP's amo If you dont want Big Holes in the pelt. Have fun Hunt Hard Keep Talking,Learning. (White Dog)

Yep Wily1 Has it Leave the 17 Home.But I Would not Use HP's amo If you dont want Big Holes in the pelt. Have fun Hunt Hard Keep Talking,Learning. (White Dog)

wily1 · 01-28-2008, 12:27 PM

I agree with whitedog on the hollow points for pelt damage. I picked up a box of Winchester 40 gr Ballistic Silvertips for coyotes (Winchester does not make these anymore). I am making a trip into Winnipeg soon to buy stuff to reload as I think its time I start. I will be buying bullets that will fragment inside and not make a big exit wound

PistolCity · 01-28-2008, 04:38 PM

Could someone create me a "beginners checklist" of the gear you'd suggest?

slaughterhouse · 01-30-2008, 10:48 PM

Here is some help. I agree with wily 1 I would go with something a little bigger. Ok here I go eletronic calls-1 your choice. They are better for long range callin and callin in the wind. A good locator call is important. there are alot of different locators. Sirens, Coyote howls, Packs of coyotes howling, and so on and so forth. I would suggest some different mouth calls. Rabbit indistress is common, but don't rule out others. Like injured coyote pup Chicken indistress, kid goat in distress, fawn in distress and so on and so forth. I would also suggest good camouflauge, and a set of bypods or shooting sticks for your gun. Also you might want to get some kind of decoy. Feathers on a stick are rather popular and easy to make. Just tie 1 or 2 feathers to a stick. So when the wind blows they will move. And probably some scents. Dirt for yourself or coon pea skunk pea anything to cover your scent. And some attractor scents for coyotes you know like yote in heat. territory scents stuff like that. Did I miss anything guys?

And remember it ain't always the size of your gun that matters. Its how many shells you have.lol. Good luck buddy and remember try to make every shot count. Just incase you don't want to read all that.

Gun/scope -make sure the scope is just as capable as the gun

locators- I'd get at least 3 different ones

Electronic call- good for long range and callin when the wind is howlin. alot of them come with three or four different distress calls

Hand calls- rabbit indistress,chicken indistress, rodent-kid goat- fawn indistress that type of thing

Camo- Make sure to get it to blend in with your area spring time green in the desert don't help alot

bypods or shooting sticks for your gun to rest on

Decoys are helpful- like feathers on a stick are easy to make and work great.

scents-dirt,skunk,coon pea for yourself And yote in heat or male dominance scents to attract yotes. Warning I do not recommend you spray yote in heat or territory scents on yourself

good luck Hunt Hard

wily1 · 01-31-2008, 11:08 AM

I agree with slaughterhouse on the gear. The most important thing is to match everything for the areas you are going to hunt, rifle/scope, camo, and calls. Once again I can't stress enough to have a calibre big enough and has the range to do the job. Its like watching the fish jump and you can't get to them cause you ain't got a boat. Same thing a .22 isn't going to do you any good when the coyote is a 150 yards away. You may get them in close enough once in awhile but why limit yourself if you don't have to.

Habibidrees · 02-23-2008, 09:43 PM

i have a 17HMr i use cci tnt 17 grain rounds and i have taken coyotes with them @ ranges alittle past 100 yards but with a placement in the head or alittle to the right of there front legs around the heart area

samuel · 02-24-2008, 04:53 AM

Go out and practice,find out what works.Write it down.You might be able to remember but I ca'nt.You can practice where you ca'nt shoot. sam.

01-25-2008, 06:53 AM	#1
PistolCity Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 170	Want to learn about Varmit hunting have questions. Ive always wanted to learn to hunt varmits. Ive seen a few yotes hear and there and enjoy watching them. Id like to proceed to hunting them. What type of gear do I need? The only rifle I have is a .17HMR will that do the trick? Or should I look into acquireing a .223? Electronic caller? Camo? Help please? Id also like to try groundhog hunting, I beleive all I need for that though is a good sporting scope and the .17 right?

01-25-2008, 08:31 AM	#2
wily1 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brandon, Manitoba Posts: 73	.223 Well I would leave the .17 home if you are really serious about coyote hunting. I have a .22 magnum and never considered using it for coyotes at "long distances". I live in Western Manitoba where there are a lot of chances at shots over 200 yards thus opted for the .223. Its a cheap round to shoot, up here in Canada you can get a box of 40 Winchester 45 gr JHP for around $20. There are a wide variety of bullet sizes and types for the .223. Camo depends on the terrain and up here where there is lot of snow I just wear all white. Calling again depends on what they would prey on. I use a Primos KI-YI that has a reed that can be moved to make different calls, Jackrabbit, Cottontail etc. But do what I did research and decide what you think will be the best. Talk to other people that hunt that area for advice on what to use.

01-25-2008, 09:16 AM	#3
neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: clt, NC Posts: 1,644	bullet Pistolcity: Sir; I agree with "wili1" .223 "if" you have range available. The .17hmr is a "responsible" round; providing you follow simple laws of physics. Do not expect 100yds to be overly reliable. Inside of 100yds head shot; down goes the coyote. Ear hunting; base of the ear; bullet traveling greater than 1500fps; byby 17hmr is a very accurate round by design; trigger puller should practice to be as good as this design. Do not Hurt any game with considerations for the game. __________________ Craig By the standards of most

01-30-2008, 10:48 PM	#7
slaughterhouse Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 23	Here is some help. I agree with wily 1 I would go with something a little bigger. Ok here I go eletronic calls-1 your choice. They are better for long range callin and callin in the wind. A good locator call is important. there are alot of different locators. Sirens, Coyote howls, Packs of coyotes howling, and so on and so forth. I would suggest some different mouth calls. Rabbit indistress is common, but don't rule out others. Like injured coyote pup Chicken indistress, kid goat in distress, fawn in distress and so on and so forth. I would also suggest good camouflauge, and a set of bypods or shooting sticks for your gun. Also you might want to get some kind of decoy. Feathers on a stick are rather popular and easy to make. Just tie 1 or 2 feathers to a stick. So when the wind blows they will move. And probably some scents. Dirt for yourself or coon pea skunk pea anything to cover your scent. And some attractor scents for coyotes you know like yote in heat. territory scents stuff like that. Did I miss anything guys? And remember it ain't always the size of your gun that matters. Its how many shells you have.lol. Good luck buddy and remember try to make every shot count. Just incase you don't want to read all that. Gun/scope -make sure the scope is just as capable as the gun locators- I'd get at least 3 different ones Electronic call- good for long range and callin when the wind is howlin. alot of them come with three or four different distress calls Hand calls- rabbit indistress,chicken indistress, rodent-kid goat- fawn indistress that type of thing Camo- Make sure to get it to blend in with your area spring time green in the desert don't help alot bypods or shooting sticks for your gun to rest on Decoys are helpful- like feathers on a stick are easy to make and work great. scents-dirt,skunk,coon pea for yourself And yote in heat or male dominance scents to attract yotes. Warning I do not recommend you spray yote in heat or territory scents on yourself good luck Hunt Hard Last edited by slaughterhouse; 01-30-2008 at 11:01 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

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01-28-2008, 12:27 PM	#5
wily1 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brandon, Manitoba Posts: 73	I agree with whitedog on the hollow points for pelt damage. I picked up a box of Winchester 40 gr Ballistic Silvertips for coyotes (Winchester does not make these anymore). I am making a trip into Winnipeg soon to buy stuff to reload as I think its time I start. I will be buying bullets that will fragment inside and not make a big exit wound

01-28-2008, 04:38 PM	#6
PistolCity Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 170	Could someone create me a "beginners checklist" of the gear you'd suggest?

01-31-2008, 11:08 AM	#8
wily1 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brandon, Manitoba Posts: 73	I agree with slaughterhouse on the gear. The most important thing is to match everything for the areas you are going to hunt, rifle/scope, camo, and calls. Once again I can't stress enough to have a calibre big enough and has the range to do the job. Its like watching the fish jump and you can't get to them cause you ain't got a boat. Same thing a .22 isn't going to do you any good when the coyote is a 150 yards away. You may get them in close enough once in awhile but why limit yourself if you don't have to.

02-23-2008, 09:43 PM	#9
Habibidrees Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fresno CA Posts: 5	i have a 17HMr i use cci tnt 17 grain rounds and i have taken coyotes with them @ ranges alittle past 100 yards but with a placement in the head or alittle to the right of there front legs around the heart area

02-24-2008, 04:53 AM	#10
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 3,495	Go out and practice,find out what works.Write it down.You might be able to remember but I ca'nt.You can practice where you ca'nt shoot. sam.