I was questioned recently about what sort of sidearm to take bowhunting to protect against coyotes. The querant had been rattled by coyotes on the way into his stand. In general, I would say don’t waste your time.

I got into deer hunting after several years of caving. Caving had a lot more danger to it by far. I was well over problems with The Dark before I went up a tree the first time. However, even I get the spooks, even to this day, 40 years later. It is a good thing. It puts you on edge. The trick is to not let it own you. Coyotes will do a pretty good job of testing it.

Remember that you are, wherever you are, the primary apex predator for many miles around. Once you get that into your head, it becomes easy. It may not be wholly accurate, but you will probably go your entire hunting life in Kentucky not seeing an exception. To anything outside of another hunter, that flashlight you carry is a laser raygun. The hiking staff you carry is a magical thunderstick. With a little theatre you can make anything short of a grizzly bear turn tail and run.

Coyotes? Coyotes are scary bastids. The ones around me have taken to making passes at humans now and again. My #3 son had a tangle with a pair a few years ago– made the mistake of hiking at sundown without a flashlight. In the dark, don’t try to shoot them. It won’t work. In daylight, they are easier to shoot, but I wouldn’t add the extra weight of a pistol just for coyote. If you’re a concealed carry holder, and you feel the need to pack heat. Do so. Just don’t expect to kill a coyote in the dark. All you will do is make a lot of noise and spray lead. The best way to deal with coyotes in the dark is to turn the tables on them. Act like you are hunting them, and they’ll skedaddle.

When we’re out and about on the property, I tell everyone to carry. It is not so much for protection as it is for nailing a yote if you have the chance. If nothing else, I generally carry a Marlin 1894 in 357 Mag. We’ve hit several over the years, usually as targets of opportunity while deer or turkey hunting.  We’re never going to eradicate them, but it puts them on notice and they are smart enough to avoid us for a while.

Coyotes usually work in pairs. No matter how many you think there are, it’s just two of them, and they’re doing their utmost to get you unhinged. No, these are not wolves. They’re not going to take you down, but they will do their best to scare you.

Truth told, I got my CCW permit mostly for coyotes– 4 legged, not 2-legged.  The problem was that I was rolling around the farm with a loaded piece, often times the aforementioned Marlin lever, and I would later find myself on the way to town with the firearm still loaded.  Yikes.  I knew sooner or later I would get into trouble. The Concealed Carry Permit removed the worry.

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