Where to shoot a coyote?

You've lured in that crafty coyote. He cautiously approaches your distressed rabbit calls. Finally he presents a perfect broadside shot at 100 yards. But where exactly do you aim for a clean, ethical kill? Proper shot placement is key.

Most hunters learn about ethical killing shots on big game like deer. The classic advice is to aim right behind the front shoulder, into the "boiler room." This targets the vitals for a humane harvest. But coyote anatomy differs from deer. Their vital organs sit further forward in the chest cavity.

Here's a list of key shot placement spots on a coyote's body:

• Vital Organs: Aim for the chest area, specifically targeting the heart and lungs. This shot placement ensures a quicker and more ethical kill.
• Broadside Shot: When possible, aim for a broadside shot to hit the vital organs effectively. This shot offers a larger target area and better penetration.
• Behind the Shoulder: Target the area slightly behind the shoulder for optimal penetration into the vital organs.
• Avoid Headshots: Headshots are risky due to the small size of the target and the likelihood of missing or causing a non-fatal injury. It's best to aim for the larger body area.
• Avoid Shielded Areas: Avoid shooting areas where bone density is higher, such as the skull or shoulder blade, as these might deflect or slow down bullets.
• Consider Distance: Adapt your shot placement based on the distance. Adjust aiming point for longer shots to ensure accuracy and penetration.

Best spot for a clean

The best spot for a clean, lethal hit on a broadside coyote is directly through the front shoulder. This penetrates the heart and lungs tucked closely behind the joint. Follow the front leg up into the chest to visualize the aim point.

A shoulder shot typically results in a small entry wound with no exit. The bullet smashes through bone, rapidly expands, and destroys the vitals. With appropriate lighter bullets from .204 to .243 calibers, this often drops coyotes immediately. Exits can still tear up hides though.

Aiming behind the shoulder risks a liver shot. While eventually lethal, liver hits can lead to a slower death. The coyote may run off and not be recovered. As responsible sportsmen, we want quick, humane kills.

Peculiarities of anatomy

Beyond anatomy, coyote size impacts proper shot placement. Their vital zone is surprisingly small once you skin one and remove the fur. Adult coyotes average around 18 inches long and tall. But the kill zone behind the shoulder spans only about 7 inches down through the ribs. This means your margin for error is tight. It's easy to shoot low and hit nothing vital. Judging range becomes critical. Coyotes appear bigger in a night vision scope than they actually are. Knowing their true dimensions helps estimate distance when seconds count.

You can use 18 inches as a yardstick on a broadside or facing coyote. Also, remember more fur hangs below the ribs than above. So, the visible target is even smaller.

When facing you head-on, the vital zone is just 3 to 3.5 inches. The neck looks wide but it's mostly fur and spine. Shots here often just wound non-lethally. Stick with the shoulders. Practice regularly on life-sized targets with realistic vital zone markers. This builds familiarity with coyote anatomy in your optic at hunting distances. Refine your range judgment. Master clean kill shots through the shoulders for quick, ethical harvests.

Conclusion

Coyotes test a hunter's skill with their speed, small size, and wild nature. But the right knowledge, preparation, and practice make consistently dropping them in their tracks achievable. Do your part to hunt coyotes ethically and help control expanding populations. Let us know if you have any other predator hunting tips!