Coyote Hunting

Tips for Choosing the Best Scope for Coyote Hunting

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coyote hunting

Coyote hunting is a popular sport in the southwest and mid-west states. Most people hunt coyotes to protect their livestock or because they’re looking for the sheer adrenaline rush that comes with dropping wild canines from yards away. In states where it’s legal to hunt, coyotes usually have a bounty on their heads as they provide valuable pelts.

Whatever your reasons for hunting coyotes, choosing the right gear for the job is the critical first step. A few supplies you’ll need to hunt include baits, calls, and decoys. As for the hunting weapon, low caliber and high speed varmint rifles that use .22-250 or .223 rounds provide the best performance. With that being said, your riflescope is perhaps the most important piece of equipment when hunting coyotes.

Coyotes are sharp critters with an acute sense of smell. They can also detect movements that are not quite right in their immediate surroundings. So, chances are you’ll not be able to come close enough to get a clear shot without scaring off your prey. However, a good riflescope allows hunters to shoot down coyotes even from a long distance off.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a scope for hunting any type of game. To that end, this guide will talk about some of the vital aspects that you should consider in order to choose the best scope for coyote hunting.

Variable Magnification
Variable power scopes can turn out to be a great asset when hunting coyotes. Sometimes, bait also can lure coyotes to appear within close range, like 20-50 yards. In other circumstances, you’ll have to deal with targets sitting more than 300 yards from your current position. A riflescope that adjusts magnification offers much flexibility because you can target coyotes from a variety of distances.

There are a few factors to consider before selecting a scope for coyote hunting. For instance, what’s the terrain of the area you will be hunting? What do you anticipate to be the average range or the furthest shots you have to make?

In general, scopes that can crank up the magnification to 9x will be ideal for shooting coyotes from 400 yards. On the other hand, if you’re deep in the woods and your furthest shot is no more than 150 yards, a 1.5-5x scope would suffice. Remember that the key to choosing an ideal scope magnification ultimately comes down to your particular environment and shooting conditions.

Size of the Objective Lens
Scopes that have large objective lenses would make a great addition on your varmint rifle. The only drawback with a large objective lens is that your riflescope will be a bit heavy and it will require taller rings to prevent contact with the barrel. However, the larger the objective lens, the better it will perform in low light conditions. If you plan to hunt coyotes at dusk or dawn, riflescopes with at least a 50mm objective lens are highly recommended.

Reticle
Coyote hunting can present a very dynamic environment. For example, you may find that your target is always moving, hiding in the dark or sitting hundreds of yards away. This dynamic shooting environment calls for a good reticle.

A fast focal plane (FFP) reticle will come in handy when aiming at moving coyotes. Unlike riflescopes that use second focal plane technology, scopes with FFP reticles maintain the size of the target relative to the crosshairs even when the magnification changes.

Illuminated reticles are not necessary but certainly appropriate when hunting nocturnal coyotes. Lastly, if you plan to hunt coyotes from long range, then settle for a Mil-Dot reticle. Such reticles will come in handy when estimating range and holdover on long shots.

Rugged Scope Design
A good coyote hunting riflescope should be shockproof, fog-proof, and water resistant in order to withstand the rigors of field use. As a predator hunter who drives a lot, chances are your varmint rifle is always going in and out of the truck. Needless to say, you’ll find that your gun will be bouncing about, falling, and perhaps slamming into things during the drive. In addition, most coyote hunts involve wading through marshes or even crawling on the ground. Therefore, it’s important to pick a rugged scope that was built to last and won’t compromise visibility in rainy or foggy weather.

Conclusion
A good scope for hunting coyotes should provide variable magnification and excellent light gathering abilities through a large objective lens. It should also be rugged and equipped with a fast focal plane reticle. The ability to make range estimations and compensate for wind drift with a mil-dot reticle is desirable as well, especially when planning to shoot from long distance. Once you have all these aspects covered, you’ll be one-step closer to choosing the best scope for coyote hunting.

Nikon Coyote Special Riflescope, Realtree Max-1, 4-12×40 Review

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Nikon Coyote Special Riflescope, Realtree Max-1, 4-12×40

The Nikon Coyote Special Riflescope, Realtree Max-1, 4-12×40 offers everything that predator hunters loved about the accessory when it was first released. And now that it has been revamped for even more precision and ease of use, it’s once again on the radar for discerning hunters who demand for nothing but the best.

Nikon Coyote Special Riflescope, Realtree Max-1, 4-12×40

Best Features of the Nikon Coyote Special Riflescope Realtree Max-1,4-12×40 
Designed around the needs of predator hunters, the Nikon Coyote Realtree Max 1,4-12X40 riflescope not only makes it easy for you to hit your targets, but also ensures you have an easy and fun time while you’re hunting.

With this riflescope, you can easily make adjustments while hunting, hit moving targets, hunt at any given time (early morning, afternoon, or evening), bring your target into focus within seconds, and even hunt stealthily without spooking your game. This is all thanks to the riflescope’s array of features, which are discussed below.

 

BDC Predator Reticle
Top on the list of the Nikon Coyote Realtree Max 1,4-12X40 riflescope’s features is a BDC predator reticle. This reticle is arguably the best feature of the riflescope as it enables you make accurate shots at targets even when they’re on the move. The BDC reticle features a unique circle design that maintains a clear view of targets at all times thus enabling you to easily make shots at moving targets.

 

Nikon Spot on Ballistic Match Technology
The Nikon Coyote Realtree Max 1, 4-12X40 is optimized for use with the Nikon Spot on Ballistic Match technology. This tech allows you to discover all of the exact aiming points on your BDC reticle from different distances. This makes it even easier for you to achieve precise shots even without having to wait for your target to stay still long enough to get a clear shot.

 

Multi-Coated Optical System
With this riflescope’s fully multi-coated optical system, you’ll be able to hunt at your own convenience. This system ensures optimum light transmission allowing you to hunt in all light conditions.

Other great features of the Nikon Coyote Realtree Max 1, 4-12X40 include an Anti Reflective Device (ARD) that eliminates lens reflection ensuring your targets never notice your presence, a quick focus eyepiece, Spring-Loaded Zero-Reset Turrets that make it easy for you to make field adjustments, and Hand-turn 1/4 MOA adjustments that make it easy for you to zero in on your targets regardless of the hunting conditions and type of rifle you are using.

 

Is The Nikon Coyote Special Riflescope Realtree Max-1,4-12×40 Worth Buying? 
Thanks to its recent technology upgrades, the Nikon Coyote Realtree Max 1, 4-12X40 can now meet the needs of even the most demanding of predator hunters. The riflescope allows long-range shots, makes zeroing in on targets child’s play, allows you to hunt in any weather and light conditions, and even throws in the benefit of enabling you to keep an eye on the immediate surroundings of your targets. So, what’s not to love about this riflescope?

Pros

  • Shockproof, fog proof, and waterproof, the Nikon Coyote Realtree Max 1, 4-12X40 is highly durable and allows you to work under all sorts of conditions.
  • Features a generous eye relief that keeps your eyes safe from harm even when you are working with a rifle that has heavy recoil.
  • The riflescope is fitted with a quick focus eyepiece that allows you to instantly bring the reticle into focus.
  • Has a camo finish that blends in with the surrounding.
  • Provides you with a wide field of view.

Cons 

  • So far, users have no complaints regarding this riflescope

Conclusion 
The Nikon Coyote Realtree Max 1, 4-12X40 offers you everything you’ll need in a riflescope. It’s durable, lightweight, easy to use, and fitted with technologies and features that ensure accuracy during hunting. With its affordable price, you’re getting yourself a quality riflescope without having to spend much.

How To Choose The Best Spotlight For Coyote Hunting

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best spotlight for coyote hunting

Although coyotes can be hunted during the day or night, most people prefer hunting these animals when darkness sets. It’s not just the thrill of nighttime hunting that draws folks out when half the world has gone to sleep. Sure, it can be exciting to be out on the range stalking a coyote when the night is young and predators have come out to play. But apart from the fear factor of the night, what’s really interesting, though, is the challenges that nighttime hunting presents.

For instance, you’ll need good night-vision gear to help you see at night since there’s lesser visibility when the sun isn’t shining. Furthermore, you’ll need to know the right coyote hunting calls, when to be still and remain silent (coyotes have fantastic hearing abilities and can pinpoint your exact location if you make the slightest inappropriate sound), and you definitely need a sturdy long range rifle that’s guaranteed to be on target the first time round. You don’t want to cause a huge ruckus by firing off your rifle, have your target run away, and then be left with nothing to hunt since every coyote and nocturnal creature would have gone into hiding by then.

To help you better your odds, here are some tips to help you get the best spotlight for coyote hunting.

Understanding Why a Spotlight Is Important for Coyote Hunting
If you’ve never gone coyote hunting at night, you may not realize how important a good spotlight is for tracking these nocturnal animals. Once the sun goes down, coyotes come out of their dens to hunt, eat, breed, and are less wary of what’s going on around them. When you sneak up on a coyote with a spotlight, their eyes will reflect light from the spotlight and give them away.

Choose Between a 12-Volt or Rechargeable Power Supply Spotlight – Or Use Both
When you’re shopping for a spotlight for coyote hunting, one of the choices you’ll need to make is whether to go for a 12-volt spotlight or rechargeable power supply spotlight. A 12-volt spotlight can be operated from a vehicle using a cigarette plug adapter. On the other hand, a rechargeable power supply spotlight will allow you to carry the spotlight with you, which means that you can use it to hunt on foot.

The type of spotlight you choose is completely up to you and based solely on preference. However, it’s important to note that a 12-volt spotlight makes a great option for large parties. In this situation, you’d be able to use the spotlight from an ATV while other members of the party can search for coyotes by foot.

Coyote Spotlight Must-Haves
Whether you’ve chosen a 12-volt or rechargeable power spotlight, your spotlight needs to come with a few specific features to make it suitable for nighttime hunting. Firstly, you’ll want a light that has a controlled spread to allow you to illuminate areas in detail. Next, you’ll want something that offers flood light options. Flood lights are ideal for scanning wooded areas and fields. But more importantly, with a flood light, a coyote’s eyes will reflect and allow you to quickly locate the pack you’re hunting. Lastly, you’ll want to choose a spotlight that has a dial that allows you to direct the beam. By directing the beam of the spotlight, you can better scout your surroundings. Making sure you correctly identify the animal whose eyes are reflecting in the dark is important – you don’t want to end up bringing home a dead python.

So, take your hunts to the next level when you choose the best spotlight for coyote hunting. By adding the right spotlight to your hunting gear, you’re guaranteed to bag a few coyotes during fur season and any other night of the year. However, before heading out to the woods to hunt these creatures, you need to make sure that coyote hunting is legal in your state.