What Upgrading My Coyote Hunting Kit Taught Me About Gear That Works

Article, Hunting

Article by Guest Contributor: VENKU.com
Author: Bryce Vogt National Director of Sales

What Upgrading My Coyote Hunting Kit Taught Me About Gear That Works

I’ve been predator hunting pretty much my whole life – 20 years now. The night game is where I caught the real bug. I’ve been hunting coyotes at night for the past 4 years, and once I got started, there was no turning back.

I can trace it all back to my grandpa. He’s the one who first took me out and taught me the ropes – mouth calls, tracking sign, sitting still. That’s how it started but years later, I came across the show Night Crew, and that lit a whole new fire. Night hunting looked intense. Tactical. Fast-paced. I knew right then that I had to try it.

Back in those early years, I was working with a .22-250 bolt action and a few trusty mouth calls. That combo killed plenty of coyotes, but over time I started adding in more technical gear as it became available. My first real upgrade was an E-caller – when those got better, they were a game changer. Then came red lights. From there I worked my way up to night vision, and eventually, thermal.

Bryce Vogt’s Go-To Coyote Hunting Gear

These days, my kit is dialed in. I run a Masterpiece Arms 6mm Creedmoor bolt rifle paired with a Pulsar XG60 thermal scope and a Pulsar Helion scanner. My caller of choice is the Foxpro X24, and I’ve mounted everything on Fatboy tripod legs with an Anvil-30 ball head by RRS. It’s a far cry from where I started, but every piece of gear I’ve added serves a purpose.

Whenever I think about upgrading gear, I always ask myself one question: What will help me bag more coyotes? That’s the filter. If a new piece of equipment will put more fur on the ground and it makes sense cost-wise, then I make the move.

That said, I didn’t build this setup overnight. I upgraded little by little each year. Some of it came secondhand, too – websites like GunBroker.com have been a huge help. You can find “like-new” optics and gear at way better prices, and if you’re smart about what you’re looking for, there are some real steals out there. I’ve got buddies who have won some expensive gear in raffles, but I’ve preferred to grind it out, one upgrade at a time. Honestly, it’s gotten a little out of hand – but in the best way.

New to Coyote Hunting?

If you’re new to coyote hunting or trying to build out your own night setup, I always recommend you splurge on the thermal optic. You can’t shoot what you can’t see. But even more important than any piece of gear? Land. And land doesn’t cost money – just time and hustle. I never hunt the same property more than 2 or 3 times a year, and every set I run is at least a mile apart. That’s how you stay in unpressured areas and keep coyotes callable.

Now, there are definitely ways you can start cheap on your own after-dark hunt setup. For example, you don’t need a scanner right away if your thermal scope is solid. A Bogpod tripod will get the job done when you’re starting out. And in terms of rifles, don’t overthink the brand – caliber is what matters most. Get something flat-shooting with ammo you can actually find. And the great news? The budget-friendly thermal market has come a long way in just the last few years. You’re getting way more for your money now than you would’ve five years ago.

Predator hunting’s tough on gear, no doubt about it. You’re out in the dark, bouncing around in trucks and side-by-sides, climbing fences, getting soaked or frozen. I’ve learned to invest in quality cases and buy gear that comes with solid warranties – especially optics. Stuff happens. You trip, you fall, a gate slams shut…it’s better to be safe than sorry.

As for brands that have really earned my respect? Pulsar is at the top of the list. They listen to the hunting community, back their products, and continually improve. Fatboy tripods have also made a noticeable difference in my accuracy versus what I was using before.

Of course, coyote hunting isn’t just about gear – it’s about the stories. And I’ve got plenty. One night I called in nine coyotes at once. Another time, I got chased by a herd of angry cows while trying to shoot a coyote that had a stillborn calf in its mouth. I’ve been attacked by house cats, Great Pyrenees, and probably some animals I still can’t identify. We’ve killed coyotes over 700 yards out in the pitch black. And yep, I’ve buried a truck axle deep on a flooded road more than once.

I’ve driven all over the country chasing song dogs, and every hunt adds another story to the pile. That’s the thing about predator hunting – especially at night. The adventure never ends. Grab some buddies, get out there, and I promise you’ll come back with more than just coyotes.