austin/albert lea area

I’m going to school at Riverland in Albert lea. I am living in Austin. It is about 80 miles away from my hunting grounds. My question is dose anyone know of some spots to go coyote hunting? or would someone like to drag me along hunting during the week. I can drive,call, or just sit and watch. I just need to get out in the woods. Just let me know if anyone is interested.
Thanks Jason

Welcome to IDO JR!! I’d also suggest you get out and knock on some doors also. I’ve found getting permission to predator hunt is the easiest of all species I’ve asked for in the past.

Yep. Like Kooty says, get out there and knock on doors. Predators aren’t pheasants or deer and they don’t get much love in farming communities. There is no “up side” to having a whole bunch of coyotes running around on your land.

Cattle operators especially don’t want coyotes around as they are calf killers. These farmers especially are likely to give you permission. I hunt two cattle ranches and the ranchers are all smiles when they see coyotes killed because one calf kill can cost a rancher thousands.

One thing that can help your case is if a farmer seems to be hesitant, ask if he’d prefer you only hunt with a shotgun. Some farmers are rightly concerned about having somebody shooting a high powered rifle on their land. Especially true with cattle ranchers. They might look more favorably on a shotgun hunter, however.

On private land, especially with cattle ranchers, be sure you report if you kill any. This will send your stock soaring and may lead to you being introduced to neighbors.

Last of all, don’t forget the public hunting areas. WMAs, WPAs, etc. In a lot of areas, these are the only stands of significant cover this time of year. Therefore, that’s where the coyotes will be.

As usual, on public land, you need to be smarter than the average road hunter. Don’t just drive up and start calling from the road. Park as far away and out of sight as possible. Watch the wind and control your scent cone.

I also really believe in trying to work areas the “opposite” direction that most hunters do. In other words, start at the “back” of the property first, don’t just walk in the approach road and start calling where eveyrone else does.

Good luck.
Grouse

Jr,
check out the dnr’s website and look at the wma’s for mower county, we have a number of them. also check out the lost lake area past target. keep going west and then there is the moscow waterfowl production area, keep going west till the gravel road that heads north and down there is the moscow wma. some other wmas around the adams rose creek area too. good luck out there.

Thanks for the info. If I happen to get anything I will post pics.