Was walking about last week and came across a den. It was an obviously active one, seeing as there were hundreds of fresh tracks made after the evening snow.
Question- Has anyone just hungout nearby and hunted them? I mean, without a set or calling?
Question 2- Is it unsporting to do so??
Question 3- How would you approach it???
What a good question. I personally enjoy hunting yotes for the pure challenge that they can be. I have found many dens over the years and have never hunted “over” one. I have hunted the areas around them. Usually several 100 yards away. To me it’s the satisfaction of calling the animal in and “winning” that time. As for is it sporting or not, I feel if it’s NOT ILLEGAL to do then who am I to dictate how I think you should hunt any animal. I think its all about what the hunt means to you.
Unless there’s an obvious trail leading too/from the den, I’d think ambush hunting them would be tough. I’d be tempted to set up downwind of the den and use a very quiet call. Like vole squeeks or a wounded bird. And I’d be ready for multiple coyotes to come in.
If that didn’t work, I’d assume “nobody home” for now and come back and try it again in a few days or something. Personally, I’d want to stay well away from the den to minimize risk of either sound or scent ruining the whole deal and driving them away.
I personally don’t think it’s unsporting at this time of year when last year’s pups are grown and able to fend for themselves. I’m not sure I’d be keen on working an active den if there were young pups in the den. Just to be clear, I’m not saying it’s unethical because obviously if there’s a situation where the coyotes are preying on livestock, or what have you, it may be justified. But just for sport hunting I’m of the opinion that during the time when the pups are in the den and dependent on the mother, I’d leave them alone.
Grouse
Smoke them out and shoot them all.
We’ve seen coyotes eating a live cow, while it was stuck in a ditch. After that day, no mercy will ever be shown to a coyote on our farm. 
Hunter Dan and I ran into an active wolf den one yr while shed hunting….my god will that make the arse hole pucker real quick…I tried talking him into getting close and seeing/hearing if there were any pups but he declined unfortunately (this was in late March)….who knows tho…we backtracked quietly holding knives..lol
The area its in is on a dried up swamp with a bunch of downed trees.
The whole area Id say is 3/4 acre. There is one main trail that they come in and out from, but aside from the swamp, its too thick to ambush or even pinpoint where they may come out from. Think I may sit there tonight and quietly watch and wait.
As far as ethics are concerned, I really dont necessarily hold yotes in high regard, and I know there arent any pups at this time of year. Plus, the yote tracks have outnumbered the deer for the last 2 years by about double. Think its time for some thinning. 
I’ve done it a few times over the years. I was surprised with a couple dens that I sat for 4-5 hours and no one was home. coyotes often have multiple den sites pending their environment and range size. The best I ever had was two come out a a single den 1 male and 1 female in early Feb mating season. I never set up over one for pups.
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