Calling coyotes close enough for a lethal shot is a skill that requires a lot of practice…even if you purchase an electronic call that “does the work” for you. There is a reason that one of the most infamous villains in cartoon history was Wile E. Coyote, Super Genius. Of course, Bugs Bunny always got the best of him, and so can you…if you are willing to practice calling coyotes and learn from your mistakes.

Before even going into the woods to try your hand at calling coyotes, you have to determine what sort of coyote calls you are going to use, mechanically speaking. Calls come in two basic designs: mouth calls (which you operate by blowing into them to reproduce a desired sound) and electronic calls (which replay recordings of desired sounds and broadcast them through a speaker). Both are good for calling coyote, but both require a lot of practice.

The mouth call is generally considered to be the most authentic, plus it is cheaper. You can avoid the crackle or “tinny” sound that sometimes will accompany an electronic coyote call. However, you need to learn how to use the device for successfully calling coyotes. Blowing too hard or too softly will create the wrong call. One of the biggest mistakes novice coyote hunters make is over calling. The goal is to reproduce the sounds a prey animal or a female in heat (just as examples) will make naturally. Calling too often is a huge red flag to the coyote that something is wrong. Two of the most popular mouth calls for calling coyotes are the whimpering female and the rabbit in distress. The “interrogation howl” of other coyotes is also popular. A seasoned coyote caller can help you determine if your sound is true, but the best test is actually calling coyote. After all, the coyote is the ultimate judge of your skill.

The second type of call, often preferred because of its versatility, is the electronic call. Calling coyotes using an electronic call doesn’t require as much physical practice, since using the call is a matter of playing back a recording. However, the same instincts for when to call and how often to call still apply. This method of calling coyote also leads to a larger margin of operator error. Know your machine. Many store literally hundreds of calls to attract various predators and game animals. If you intend on calling coyote using the sound of a whimpering female, accidentally dropping a whitetail buck grunt in February is probably going to be counterproductive.

In the end, your method of calling coyote is up to you. Choose the mode in which you have the most confidence. Trial and error is still the best way to learn the tricks of calling coyote in your area. However, there are countless videos and tutorials available if you are unsure you are calling coyotes correctly. Many will break down the hunt step by step for you, and can offer you tips on other aspects of the hunt, such as camouflage, weather conditions or cover scents. Don’t take them too seriously, though. The “experts” aren’t going to tell you how long it took them to film a successful hunt and how many failures they had in trying. The best way to become successful at coyote calling is to simply do it.