Varmet masters I’m in need of advice.

I would like do my part to thin the coyote population in an area where I hunt ducks.

The area is a river with many small to mid sized lakes joining the river. When I’m duck hunting I often hear and sometimes see coyotes in the surrounding hills.

What would be the best way to hunt them? I’m thinking of going in by boat then setting up on the side of one of the hills near a lake and call. Would I be better off to stay in the boat? This is mostly desert with a few small bushes and few if any trees except at the water's edge.

Also, I’ve been playing with a Savage 12 in 204 Ruger that I won at a DU dinner last year. Is the 204 enough gun for coyotes?

Thanks;
Brett

Yes, a .204 Ruger is enough, but I go to my .22-250/.243/.25 wssm if I am focused on yotes. I'm not sure how you stay in the boat and get a good steady rest. I would set up on the side of the hills and call.

getting in with a boat would be cool as you might have much less chance getting busted before you can get set up.
Other than that I would simply suggest using a decoy of some sort, and treat the situation just as any other and don't consider the water aspect anymore.
You won't need cover for yourself, just plop your butt down on the side of a hill and be still.
If you have to move, and you will,, do it slowly.
Move your hands as little as possible, wear camo gloves and a face mask or face paint.
Your skin will shine like a mirror.
Your 204 will of course kill any coyote that ever sucked air, but as bullwynkle said above a 24 or 25 caliber kills then just as dead only with more authority..
A foxpro is a good idea, if you don't have one then borrow one and then when you kill a coyote with it you will buy one I gaurandamntee you..

Remember the kiss principle, you know the one. more people screw up a good thing by making to friggin complicated.
You don't need 27 flavors of sounds to kill coyotes, a good dying rabbit, a good dying woodpecker , a dying crow and a few howls are about it.
There is no magic sound, there is getting into an area where there are coyotes, there is getting in undetected, there is sitting your ass down 'there are no perfect places to sit' so find one that will work and sit the heck down.
I see more dimwits stand around and walk the hillside looking for the perfect view,, stupid is what that is.
You don't want to be blocked in so that you can't see to shoot obviously, but a few good shooting lanes or areas is all that you really need.
When he hits one where you can reach him bark at him like a dog, yep yer best bark, practice it..
It will usually stop him in his tracks for a shot, 'hint' don't bark until you have your gun up...

So get in undetected, not hard really just don't skyline yourself and be quiet.
Get in , sit down, shut up, be still, turn your call on and DO NOT TURN IT OFF!
Then kill something.
Pretty elementary.

Thanks so much for the help.

Bucko, I'm really new to this. I assume that the foxpro is an electric caller. Which model do you recommend?

Thanks again;
Brett

Brett the FX3 is the latest and greatest I do believe.
It is a digital call with a remote control and its sounds are good.
What part of the country are you located in if I might ask?
If you are anywhere near my country I would take you sometime and perhaps I could show you a few things to help get you through the learning curve quicker.

Bucko,

Thanks again four your good advice. I'm reading about foxpro models now.

Thanks for your kind offer! Sent you a PM.

Brett