Understanding when and where coyotes move throughout the day and year is the foundational layer of all predator hunting strategy. Coyotes follow predictable daily patterns — hunting open flats at dawn, loafing in cover midday, and becoming active again at dusk — and temperature thresholds determine whether that midday window is productive or dead.
Hunter arrives at stand before first light and is set up before shooting light begins. Knows that coyotes are moving back to loafing cover from overnight feeding areas at first light — that transition window is the first opportunity. In temperatures below 66°F, coyotes move and hunt throughout the day; above that threshold, they conserve energy and midday calling is largely wasted. At dusk, activity surges again as coyotes begin their overnight feeding circuit. Hunter schedules stands to match these three windows and adjusts stand timing by season and temperature, not just habit.
Coyotes reduce daytime movement and calling response rates dramatically above 66°F. This isn't gradual — it behaves like a threshold effect. Below 66°F, daytime calling works. Above it, calling is largely unproductive regardless of technique.
Most hunters know coyotes are more active at night during full moon. The less-known effect: full moon activity extends so late into the morning that the traditional dawn stand window collapses — coyotes have already fed and bedded by first light.