Coyotes are smart, fast, and cunning—but sometimes, hunting them turns into something far more terrifying. These hunters thought they were just tracking coyotes, but instead, they found something completely unexpected. From eerie encounters to life-or-death situations, here are five shocking hunting stories you won’t believe.
1. The Eyes in the Dark
A seasoned hunter in Arizona set up at dusk, waiting for coyotes to approach. As he scanned the field through his scope, he saw two glowing eyes. He aimed, steadying his breath—until four more pairs of eyes appeared.
Suddenly, the silence was broken by a deep, guttural growl—not from a coyote. Whatever it was, it was big. The hunter grabbed his gear and bolted back to his truck. The next day, he returned to find massive claw marks on the ground—marks too large for any coyote.
➡ Shocking Twist: Trail cams later picked up footage of a huge, unidentified creature lurking in the area.
2. Surrounded at Midnight
A group of hunters in Texas went out for a routine coyote night hunt. They set up their electronic caller, mimicking the distress sound of a rabbit. Within minutes, they saw movement—but it wasn’t a single coyote.
Instead, a dozen coyotes emerged from the darkness, forming a wide circle around them. Then, as if on command, the coyotes went silent and sat down—just watching. One hunter swore he saw a figure moving in the shadows behind them. Panicked, they backed away slowly, rifles raised. The moment they reached their truck, the coyotes vanished into the night.
➡ Shocking Twist: The team later discovered local legends of a mysterious figure controlling coyotes in that area.
3. The Coyote That Wouldn’t Die
In Montana, a hunter took aim at a large coyote. One clean shot—direct hit. The animal dropped instantly. But as he walked over, it suddenly stood up, unphased.
He fired again. Another direct hit. The coyote stared at him—then walked away as if nothing had happened. No blood, no struggle, just a blank, soulless look before disappearing into the woods.
➡ Shocking Twist: Locals believe it was a skinwalker, a supernatural being disguised as a coyote.
4. The Ghostly Howl
A hunter in Utah had been tracking a large coyote for miles. As he finally got a clear shot, he aimed and fired—but the bullet passed right through. The coyote vanished into thin air.
Moments later, he heard a long, eerie howl that seemed to come from all around him at once. Frantic, he ran back to his truck, only to find his tires slashed—by what looked like claw marks.
➡ Shocking Twist: He later learned of an old legend about a “phantom coyote” that hunters had been chasing for over a century—one that was never caught.
5. The Decoy That Moved
A hunter in Nebraska set up a decoy and a caller, mimicking coyote sounds. As he waited, he saw movement—a lone coyote approaching. He steadied his aim. But something was off.
The coyote was too stiff, too still. And then, it stood up on two legs. The hunter froze as it sprinted into the woods—faster than any animal he’d ever seen.
➡ Shocking Twist: Other hunters later reported seeing the same figure—always watching, always waiting.
Final Thoughts: Sometimes, the Hunt Hunts You
Coyotes are intelligent and elusive—but sometimes, hunting them leads to something much darker. Whether it’s supernatural forces, mysterious creatures, or simply nature turning the tables, one thing is clear: when you enter the wild, you never know what’s waiting for you.
Have you ever had a hunting experience you couldn’t explain? Share your story in the comments below!