Yotarunner
Custom Call Maker
Its great some of these hunts I missed on the other forum so it's good to see!
Big Lou’s 23/24 Calling Season
- Thread starter Big Lou
- Start date
Big Lou
Well-known member
5 Dog Day - 4 Fell to The Shotty
Morning began with coffee and finishing up cleaning a rifle. I wanted to be out early but, my daughter was home from school due to exams this week and I promised we would enjoy bacon and eggs when she rose. My days of being able to enjoy such things with her are growing less frequent by the month it would seem as she gets older so, seldom do I choose otherwise when opportunity presents. With the dishes licked up, I was off!
Set #1
This is one of my regular spots seasonally. It’s a good producer but hardly ever will it produce multiples. Still, it’s a good one to have in the pocket. Normally I set up on the side of a dugout mound where I have commanding view to the west and south. The sun was quite bright with little cloud cover, so I tucked into the north edge of an isolated clump of trees that was connected to a small slough bottom with lots of young, Red Willow. This is normally where the coyotes will appear from when calling from my normal hide. Shotgunning hopes were very high. Starting with coyote vocals, the silence was shattered. After a few minutes with no answers, I threw out some distress calls. 17 minutes in now, I was considering doing some pup distress when movement caught my eye to the left of me. I could see the head and neck of a coyote just above the young willow. I was well screened from it, so I readied the shotgun. Gave the decoy a flick and the coyote broke into kill mode. Covering the last 30’ or so quite quickly, my quarry was in front of my looking intently at the decoy. With the bead nestled on the coyotes neck at 18 yards, I gave a soft lip squeak. As soon as two yellow eyes and a black nose were in front of the barrel, 27 pellets of #4 buck found its mark. “Right on! Big male down!” I’m pretty sure I blew this coyote out a couple weeks ago leaving a stand about a mile away.
Set #2
I went back to a spot I killed a double on my 3-2-1 day. It had plenty of time to cool off from my last intrusion. Again, I’ve never been blanked here and usually it produces multiples. It just might be my favourite spot. I parked the truck and started down my normal route in. Again, with the sun being so bright, I opted for a slightly different hide so as not to be lit up like a Christmas tree and given how the coyotes came last time, this position not only provided shadows, but an excellent kill alley for the shotgun. Started once again with coyote vocals but different than the last time, I once again had no answers. Not overly concerned, I broke into a series of distress, again, different sounds than the last. 20 minutes into the set, I was starting to get concerned that this would be my first blank ever in this spot. I’m not overly familiar with what anxiety feels like, but I think I was feeling it. Movement! More movement but in a different spot. More! I’m pretty sure there are three. They are in the edge of some old willow and I still can’t confirm. I gave a couple coaxes on the caller and I’ll try to describe the next few moments in a manner it deserves. It was as if I was watching warriors on horseback, rallying in the trees before they charge onto a battlefield. It was absurd. They all did probably 3 or four circles with each other before two and then the third broke into the open. I had the caller only 20 yards away from me. Another squeak of a coax and they all started coming hard. “OH BOY!!!” At 50 yards I started lip squeaking which caused a shift in the two lead coyotes’ course of approach to DIRECTLY AT ME. There was about 30 yards of distance between them. “You guys are dead already. You just don’t know it.” This is going to be very up close. With the lead coyote only 10’ from me, death from the shadows descended upon them. In a smooth motion, I rose and shouldered the shotgun. The lead coyote got low and wheeled but my head had already found the chest of the follower. At the report of the shotgun, it crumpled at 30 yards. Finding the now fleeing lead coyote on the path it had approached from, a quick double tap stoned it only feet from the first. Seeing the third coyote now hauling for the trees, I was unable to get on it with the rifle before it made cover. Quickly firing up pup distress, I let the cadence echo through the trees and creek bottoms. What seemed like only seconds later, I caught streaking movement through the trees and the coyote materialized. It started closing on a bit of an angle and I followed it in the scope as it progressed. Coming to a stop behind a snow bank, I could clearly see its head and neck. I probably could have waited for a body shot, but, at 75 yards, it was all over but the crying. BOOM! CHOP! The 40gr Berger found its mark. “Triple Baby!”
This was how far apart the double died. Big Male and his b****.
Set #3
This spot, I bat around .500 from. It’s weird. Only once, have I ever had a coyote come really hard here. There’s some nuance to it that I just haven’t sorted out as of yet. I called it once about a month ago. No traffic had been down the road for days and abundant coyote tracks cross crossed every couple hundred feet it would seem. Hiding the truck in an old shelter belt and getting geared up, I was inbound. I wasn’t overly hot with my hide as I was blind to the south but, I needed to stay in the shadows. Placing the caller 20 yards away, I tucked into the edge of the trees and vanished. The songs I had been playing were garnishing dance partners so, more of the same. At about 11 minutes, I noticed a pair of Magpies bombing and chattering at something to the west of me. Seeing this many times before, I knew something was inbound. Watching intently in that direction, to my delight, I picked up a pointy set of ears moving just above the stubble about 200 yards away. Giving a coax, I now had a coyote standing head on about 150 yards from me. Pondering getting on the rifle and taking it there, I opted to be a pig and try to suck this one in close too. I brought my hand up and started squeaking as loud as I could muster. True to form in this spot, it started closing but, ever so slowly and I mean slow. There were a half dozen instances I almost got on the rifle but, it did continue closing the gap. At about the 50 yard mark, it looked to the south several times. I can only assume there was another coyote but I could not see that direction. At 22 yards, I couldn’t contain myself any longer and delivered another load of #4 Buck into a fuzzy face. My fourth shotgun coyote of the day.
I was really hoping to be able to share more but, my last two stands for the day were blanks. Work called and I am going in tomorrow, so I hope to be out again on Thursday but, we shall see. Anyway, hope you enjoy the read and pics once more. Happy calling.
Morning began with coffee and finishing up cleaning a rifle. I wanted to be out early but, my daughter was home from school due to exams this week and I promised we would enjoy bacon and eggs when she rose. My days of being able to enjoy such things with her are growing less frequent by the month it would seem as she gets older so, seldom do I choose otherwise when opportunity presents. With the dishes licked up, I was off!
Set #1
This is one of my regular spots seasonally. It’s a good producer but hardly ever will it produce multiples. Still, it’s a good one to have in the pocket. Normally I set up on the side of a dugout mound where I have commanding view to the west and south. The sun was quite bright with little cloud cover, so I tucked into the north edge of an isolated clump of trees that was connected to a small slough bottom with lots of young, Red Willow. This is normally where the coyotes will appear from when calling from my normal hide. Shotgunning hopes were very high. Starting with coyote vocals, the silence was shattered. After a few minutes with no answers, I threw out some distress calls. 17 minutes in now, I was considering doing some pup distress when movement caught my eye to the left of me. I could see the head and neck of a coyote just above the young willow. I was well screened from it, so I readied the shotgun. Gave the decoy a flick and the coyote broke into kill mode. Covering the last 30’ or so quite quickly, my quarry was in front of my looking intently at the decoy. With the bead nestled on the coyotes neck at 18 yards, I gave a soft lip squeak. As soon as two yellow eyes and a black nose were in front of the barrel, 27 pellets of #4 buck found its mark. “Right on! Big male down!” I’m pretty sure I blew this coyote out a couple weeks ago leaving a stand about a mile away.
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Set #2
I went back to a spot I killed a double on my 3-2-1 day. It had plenty of time to cool off from my last intrusion. Again, I’ve never been blanked here and usually it produces multiples. It just might be my favourite spot. I parked the truck and started down my normal route in. Again, with the sun being so bright, I opted for a slightly different hide so as not to be lit up like a Christmas tree and given how the coyotes came last time, this position not only provided shadows, but an excellent kill alley for the shotgun. Started once again with coyote vocals but different than the last time, I once again had no answers. Not overly concerned, I broke into a series of distress, again, different sounds than the last. 20 minutes into the set, I was starting to get concerned that this would be my first blank ever in this spot. I’m not overly familiar with what anxiety feels like, but I think I was feeling it. Movement! More movement but in a different spot. More! I’m pretty sure there are three. They are in the edge of some old willow and I still can’t confirm. I gave a couple coaxes on the caller and I’ll try to describe the next few moments in a manner it deserves. It was as if I was watching warriors on horseback, rallying in the trees before they charge onto a battlefield. It was absurd. They all did probably 3 or four circles with each other before two and then the third broke into the open. I had the caller only 20 yards away from me. Another squeak of a coax and they all started coming hard. “OH BOY!!!” At 50 yards I started lip squeaking which caused a shift in the two lead coyotes’ course of approach to DIRECTLY AT ME. There was about 30 yards of distance between them. “You guys are dead already. You just don’t know it.” This is going to be very up close. With the lead coyote only 10’ from me, death from the shadows descended upon them. In a smooth motion, I rose and shouldered the shotgun. The lead coyote got low and wheeled but my head had already found the chest of the follower. At the report of the shotgun, it crumpled at 30 yards. Finding the now fleeing lead coyote on the path it had approached from, a quick double tap stoned it only feet from the first. Seeing the third coyote now hauling for the trees, I was unable to get on it with the rifle before it made cover. Quickly firing up pup distress, I let the cadence echo through the trees and creek bottoms. What seemed like only seconds later, I caught streaking movement through the trees and the coyote materialized. It started closing on a bit of an angle and I followed it in the scope as it progressed. Coming to a stop behind a snow bank, I could clearly see its head and neck. I probably could have waited for a body shot, but, at 75 yards, it was all over but the crying. BOOM! CHOP! The 40gr Berger found its mark. “Triple Baby!”
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This was how far apart the double died. Big Male and his b****.
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Set #3
This spot, I bat around .500 from. It’s weird. Only once, have I ever had a coyote come really hard here. There’s some nuance to it that I just haven’t sorted out as of yet. I called it once about a month ago. No traffic had been down the road for days and abundant coyote tracks cross crossed every couple hundred feet it would seem. Hiding the truck in an old shelter belt and getting geared up, I was inbound. I wasn’t overly hot with my hide as I was blind to the south but, I needed to stay in the shadows. Placing the caller 20 yards away, I tucked into the edge of the trees and vanished. The songs I had been playing were garnishing dance partners so, more of the same. At about 11 minutes, I noticed a pair of Magpies bombing and chattering at something to the west of me. Seeing this many times before, I knew something was inbound. Watching intently in that direction, to my delight, I picked up a pointy set of ears moving just above the stubble about 200 yards away. Giving a coax, I now had a coyote standing head on about 150 yards from me. Pondering getting on the rifle and taking it there, I opted to be a pig and try to suck this one in close too. I brought my hand up and started squeaking as loud as I could muster. True to form in this spot, it started closing but, ever so slowly and I mean slow. There were a half dozen instances I almost got on the rifle but, it did continue closing the gap. At about the 50 yard mark, it looked to the south several times. I can only assume there was another coyote but I could not see that direction. At 22 yards, I couldn’t contain myself any longer and delivered another load of #4 Buck into a fuzzy face. My fourth shotgun coyote of the day.
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I was really hoping to be able to share more but, my last two stands for the day were blanks. Work called and I am going in tomorrow, so I hope to be out again on Thursday but, we shall see. Anyway, hope you enjoy the read and pics once more. Happy calling.
Big Lou
Well-known member
The Last Stand
Not meaning to give those boys a shameless plug but, there you go Geoff & Rick. The title is fitting.
I started today with high hopes. Post storm. Fresh snow. Calm winds. Cool but not cold. They should be on.
After getting blanked my first stand, I made a second. Completely misread the contour of the land and ended up with a big low spot directly downwind of me. I got to watch one lope away from me. It probably got sub 100 yards before winding me for crying out loud. “Right on. You’re really playing to win today hey.” I figured I’d switch it up and moved about 8 miles west. A spot I had called earlier in the season was ready for another go and the wind was perfect. I hiked the mile in and got settled.
Not enjoying any earlier success with the caller, I let wail with the mouth calls. 9-10 minutes in, I saw about 30 whitetails blow out of a slough bottom to the north of me. “Something is inbound” I thought and readied myself for the impending action. A pair of coyotes came into view about 250-275 yards away. It was at this time, the one started acting a touch nervous and I heard the loud, low drone of a big diesel. Looking east, I could see a testing crew of some sort coming up the half mile line. “You’re kidding me”!! Looking back to the pair, I saw one make the trees, then the other. They started yapping in the trees but the stand was shot. They didn’t make me, so I’ll get back to them later in the week. I was sour with the crew, but they didn’t know any better and are just out earning a buck. I hoped they were having a better day than myself. Okay, we’re switching areas again. 10miles north.
I hadn’t called this spot yet this year. Another blank. Well, let’s hit another spot. Blanked even though at least 5 coyotes answered my howls in the set. It was 4:18 when I got back to the truck. Time for one more stand. 70mph to my entry point, I hurriedly gathered my gear after parking in a hidden location and started high stepping in.
The Last Stand
After getting the caller situated and myself, atop a little mound; I let rip with a single howl. It was immediately answered by one, then another and another until I lost count. No joke, there was at least a dozen howling but it sounded like there was 50. The closest being sub 400 yards. I was set up nicely for some shotgun action so I started singing with the mouth call. Nothing. Tried again. Nothing. Again. Same result. Maybe venison as deer trails abound around my hide. Fawn distress on the caller produced nothing. Light was fading fast. “Guess we’ll try some pup distress and hope to evoke a pack response.” I got a hand on the grip of the shotgun and let fly. Maybe 30 seconds after letting loose with the sounds of a crying pup, flashes of movement in the trees caught my eyes. Lots of movement - multiples. Mute the caller.
A pair broke from the trees initially, then a single and finally another pair. There are 5. I need to play this smart. The first pair were the closest to me and I needed them to get further away from the trees so that when I shot, it wasn’t in the direction of the other three. With all 5 coyotes now within 100 yards, things were going to happen fast.
I swung into motion on one of the first pair and it came to a stop at about 45 yards. The shotgun barked and a load of 4 Buck found the head and neck of my target, folding it instantly. Getting on the second coyote of the first pair, I ripped twice and saw it roll, or so I thought. Dropping the shotgun and mounting the rifle, it was chaos in front of me. The crosshairs settled on the arse of a fleeing coyote. BOOM! CHOP! The air was filled with the cry’s of the coyote I had just struck. Cycling another round in, I was unable to get on the other two. A quick glance back towards the coyote I had just shot showed it streaking for the trees. I fell into a nice lead after a quick adjustment on the bipod. BOOM! CHOP! And I saw a big spray of snow. I quickly switched to dying coyote on the caller and saw more streaking in the trees. A silver ghost appeared in a small window through the branches and stopped. I settled the crosshairs on the base of the neck and sent the 40gr Berger. BOOM! CHOP! I watched it hunch up and fold in the scope. With the caller still wailing, movement once more caught my eye as another coyote materialized from the timber. My rifle was not in the correct position at this moment and the coyote was staring intently in my direction. Thinking I already had 4 down, “let’s risk it for the biscuit” and I made my move. The coyote wheeled immediately and made for the trees. It stopped just inside the tree line when I woofed at it. As a head, neck and shoulder appeared in the crosshairs whilst peeking back from behind a big poplar, the trigger broke once more. BOOM! CHOP! “Is that 5! Did I just get 5”? Looking back out to where the shotgunning had occurred, I saw just a single laying there. I walked out to investigate and the second one had indeed gotten up and peaced out. “Damn.” On my stroll to collect the other three, I looked over and saw tines poking up through the snow. “NO WAY! A shed too!” Thinking it was a big whitetail shed, I was slightly let down when it turned out to be a mule deer. First quad of the year and it was darn near five.
It was a bit of a tough day overall but, I’m glad I stuck with it. Really wish I would have got that 5th too but it wasn’t to be I suppose. I hope you enjoy the read and pics. It wasn’t a big numbers day like I had hoped but, that was a hell of a last stand.
Not meaning to give those boys a shameless plug but, there you go Geoff & Rick. The title is fitting.
I started today with high hopes. Post storm. Fresh snow. Calm winds. Cool but not cold. They should be on.
After getting blanked my first stand, I made a second. Completely misread the contour of the land and ended up with a big low spot directly downwind of me. I got to watch one lope away from me. It probably got sub 100 yards before winding me for crying out loud. “Right on. You’re really playing to win today hey.” I figured I’d switch it up and moved about 8 miles west. A spot I had called earlier in the season was ready for another go and the wind was perfect. I hiked the mile in and got settled.
Not enjoying any earlier success with the caller, I let wail with the mouth calls. 9-10 minutes in, I saw about 30 whitetails blow out of a slough bottom to the north of me. “Something is inbound” I thought and readied myself for the impending action. A pair of coyotes came into view about 250-275 yards away. It was at this time, the one started acting a touch nervous and I heard the loud, low drone of a big diesel. Looking east, I could see a testing crew of some sort coming up the half mile line. “You’re kidding me”!! Looking back to the pair, I saw one make the trees, then the other. They started yapping in the trees but the stand was shot. They didn’t make me, so I’ll get back to them later in the week. I was sour with the crew, but they didn’t know any better and are just out earning a buck. I hoped they were having a better day than myself. Okay, we’re switching areas again. 10miles north.
I hadn’t called this spot yet this year. Another blank. Well, let’s hit another spot. Blanked even though at least 5 coyotes answered my howls in the set. It was 4:18 when I got back to the truck. Time for one more stand. 70mph to my entry point, I hurriedly gathered my gear after parking in a hidden location and started high stepping in.
The Last Stand
After getting the caller situated and myself, atop a little mound; I let rip with a single howl. It was immediately answered by one, then another and another until I lost count. No joke, there was at least a dozen howling but it sounded like there was 50. The closest being sub 400 yards. I was set up nicely for some shotgun action so I started singing with the mouth call. Nothing. Tried again. Nothing. Again. Same result. Maybe venison as deer trails abound around my hide. Fawn distress on the caller produced nothing. Light was fading fast. “Guess we’ll try some pup distress and hope to evoke a pack response.” I got a hand on the grip of the shotgun and let fly. Maybe 30 seconds after letting loose with the sounds of a crying pup, flashes of movement in the trees caught my eyes. Lots of movement - multiples. Mute the caller.
A pair broke from the trees initially, then a single and finally another pair. There are 5. I need to play this smart. The first pair were the closest to me and I needed them to get further away from the trees so that when I shot, it wasn’t in the direction of the other three. With all 5 coyotes now within 100 yards, things were going to happen fast.
I swung into motion on one of the first pair and it came to a stop at about 45 yards. The shotgun barked and a load of 4 Buck found the head and neck of my target, folding it instantly. Getting on the second coyote of the first pair, I ripped twice and saw it roll, or so I thought. Dropping the shotgun and mounting the rifle, it was chaos in front of me. The crosshairs settled on the arse of a fleeing coyote. BOOM! CHOP! The air was filled with the cry’s of the coyote I had just struck. Cycling another round in, I was unable to get on the other two. A quick glance back towards the coyote I had just shot showed it streaking for the trees. I fell into a nice lead after a quick adjustment on the bipod. BOOM! CHOP! And I saw a big spray of snow. I quickly switched to dying coyote on the caller and saw more streaking in the trees. A silver ghost appeared in a small window through the branches and stopped. I settled the crosshairs on the base of the neck and sent the 40gr Berger. BOOM! CHOP! I watched it hunch up and fold in the scope. With the caller still wailing, movement once more caught my eye as another coyote materialized from the timber. My rifle was not in the correct position at this moment and the coyote was staring intently in my direction. Thinking I already had 4 down, “let’s risk it for the biscuit” and I made my move. The coyote wheeled immediately and made for the trees. It stopped just inside the tree line when I woofed at it. As a head, neck and shoulder appeared in the crosshairs whilst peeking back from behind a big poplar, the trigger broke once more. BOOM! CHOP! “Is that 5! Did I just get 5”? Looking back out to where the shotgunning had occurred, I saw just a single laying there. I walked out to investigate and the second one had indeed gotten up and peaced out. “Damn.” On my stroll to collect the other three, I looked over and saw tines poking up through the snow. “NO WAY! A shed too!” Thinking it was a big whitetail shed, I was slightly let down when it turned out to be a mule deer. First quad of the year and it was darn near five.
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It was a bit of a tough day overall but, I’m glad I stuck with it. Really wish I would have got that 5th too but it wasn’t to be I suppose. I hope you enjoy the read and pics. It wasn’t a big numbers day like I had hoped but, that was a hell of a last stand.
Big Lou
Well-known member
The Last Three Days
I’m torn on how to deliver the last 72 hours of hunting. I love posting the successes for people to enjoy but, it’s been tough slugging. I’ll try and condense things so it isn’t such an essay.
Wednesday,
First stand of the morning went just perfect. It was quite windy so my play was to get on the downwind side or into the trees. The former in this case. I had treated myself to a shopping spree of new sounds for the caller the night before and couldn’t wait to try some out. I was just laying on my back in the hay field in the shadows of a small hill about 60 yards from the tree line. 7 minutes in, I saw ears above the buck brush, then a face and finally a body materialized. It wasn’t in a hurry, as it had arrived during a pause in my sequence. I let it close of its own accord, raised the shotgun in a smooth motion as I brought my body up. I had timed my move as it looked back at the trees. When its eyes returned and had just met mine, I sent the load of #4 buck into its face at 28 yards. It crumpled instantly. Not even a tail wag. Another big Tom down.
My fourth set really hurts - bad. I got right in the trees. It was tight but I knew the trail any coyotes would take to come in. Figured it would be a good spot to try with my mouth howler. I wasn’t entirely situated yet. I had planned on getting the shotgun on my knee pointed in the general direction of the deer trail. I sounded off with a solitary howl. I looked down and was just about to lift me knee when directly in front of me, a coyote sounded off with a challenge. It hadn’t even been 10 seconds! I spied the Tom about 35 yards in front of me, on the very trail. His bitch, just behind him. I really didn’t know what to do. They both started to close so I let it play out. Like the pig I am, with the Tom now at 19 yards and the bitch only paces behind, I was still being stupid; wanting them both. I can only assume the wind swirled because the bitch wheeled and ran like her tail was on fire and the Tom a quarter second later. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Are you serious? You just let that, THAT happen?” I howled a few more times but they were done playing. A flash of movement to the west of me caught my attention and I spied another coyote streaking in. This one solidified to me that the wind was certainly swirling in there. He piled on the brakes at 50 yards like he had hit a wall. I ripped at him 3 times with the shotgun but, no dice. That was bad. So very bad.
Another blank set found me in a different area afterwards. I ended up pulling one to the tree line. I figured it would close but made a fool of me. I’m sure I could have gotten on it at 200 yards but wouldn’t you know it, it turns and back into the bush. Would not come out again. Another two blank stands to finish the day. That was a lot of work for one coyote.
Thursday
Fickle winds greeted my face when I walked out of the house in the dark. I looked at a couple wind maps and it was a total hodgepodge. Swirls and rolls and sweeps were everywhere on the map. I should have just stayed home but, I’m stubborn.
My second set had me after The Mensa Coyote. Why on earth I made this choice, that day, I will never know. Long story short, the wind was good when I walked in. I didn’t feel it change 225 degrees. But, it did. And wouldn’t you know it, I had that miserable Tom and his Bitch coming at long last with another younger male in tow. Again, it was like an invisible man had slammed them in the faces with a 2”x8”. They all wheeled and were gone. I knew what had happened, I just hadn’t felt it happen. Not like I’ve been trying to kill that coyote for nearly half a decade or anything. No big deal. I was some dejected.
Several dry stands later, I finally got into one again. I had deployed my coyote decoy on a hill top and was doing an entire sequence of new coyote vocals. I was about 10 minutes in when I thought I saw a set of ears above a hilltop, and then a coyote came bounding into view. It saw my coyote decoy and went about 70 yards upwind of it. Then sat down and stared at it for close to a minute. I had the shotgun on it already but wanted to see how it would play out with the decoy. It finally rose from its haunches and started trotting towards the decoy. I didn’t want it to cut my tracks and spook so I decided to let fly. I had completely misjudged the distance, thinking it at 45 yards; it was actually at 60 yards. I hit it all three times with the shotgun and my head just about exploded when it started running away. Onto the 6mmAI in a flash and made a quick running shot to finish things. I’m always amazed how tough these things are.
More blank sets to round out the day. I did find a pretty nice dead WT rack. I wasn’t dealing with getting a found dead permit with dicey phone service, so I snapped a photo and will recover when I’m in there looking for sheds come spring.
Friday
Morning had me sneaking into a field that I had been seeing coyotes mousing for a few days now. I glassed what I could before heading in but the field undulates in a way that its entirety cannot be seen from the road. Peeking over a hill top, I could see a coyote moving south. Then I spied another to the south of that coyote. I wasn’t going to be able to get where I wanted, so I figured I’d lay down and see what happens with some soft cries on the mouth call. Well, 20 seconds later, there were three sets of eyes staring my direction. I actually thought it was going to play out alright but one spooked and the other two followed suit. I ran to the next hilltop and got prone on one, now about 450 yards away. My wind call was good but my bullet missed high. That was unfortunate.
The next set had me going back to a spot I had called about a week ago. It’s where the fight broke out and three of the four peaced out. Well, in the weeks interim, they had killed a deer and I found the carcass on the way in. What a murder scene. No joke, it was like The Ghost and The Darkness when the lion kills Remington. I’ve never seen so much blood. Coyote tracks were everywhere. Let’s get to calling! Getting situated, I pounded out some distress with the hand calls. It hadn’t been much more than 4 minutes and I had a coyote streaking along the bottom of the hill in front of me. I have no idea where it came from. I gave a couple loud “WOOFS” to try and stop it but instead, it grabbed a gear. I was on it with the rifle almost immediately when it came into view and falling into a comfy lead before before breaking the trigger, a resounding BOOM! CHOP! echoed back to me. Looking to the south, I could see another coyote scathing for cover. I gave a loud, long “WOOOOOH” and it came to a stop. I figured it to be around 450 yards and touched off. Again, my wind call was perfect but I shot over once more. Getting back to calling, I switched to howls and fights. I caught movement to the west of my position and could see a coyote working towards my position through the slough grass. It got onto to open ice of the slough and then started swinging wide. I knew it wasn’t going to be getting any closer so I shifted with the rifle into a shooting position when it went behind some willows. As soon as it came into view again I gave another long “WOOOO”. It came to a halt in its travels and I nestled the crosshairs with my 350 yard hold over. “BOOOOOOM! CHOP!” I later paced it out at 347 yards. Lucky guess. I did have the previous miss to pull on for my range estimation though. Anyway, not text book but, a solid double.
I had to get my daughter to the Orthodontist so I had to put the day on pause. I was able to get out for another set after taking care of Fatherly obligations. It was all coyote vocals with my howler. I wasn’t running a timer or anything so, I’d guess it was about 15minutes into the set. I saw three or four magpies bombing at something in a little dip. I swung the rifle over immediately and waited for the coyote to pop into view on the chance that it would try to swing downwind without a shot opp. It was coming steady enough that I probably could have had a chance to shotgun it but, I had already committed. It came to a halt at 70 yards, looking around for the coyotes it had heard. The crosshair settled on its shoulder and the rifle barked once more. BOOM! CHOP! Another big Tom down and #45 in my tally.
I pounded out another 2 sets before pulling the pin. Both blanks. There was one coyote screwing around about 700 yards away on one set but it had zero interest. It was 80 yards off the road when I went by. I’ll get it another day.
Lots of work and screw ups to match. I can’t win every day. I did however, just sit and watch the sun set on Thursday. Instead of a last minute, hurried set. A cigarette really would have made that moment. Thinking about what I was thinking about when I was twelve. Lol…. Anyway, enjoy the read. I’ll be out again tomorrow. See if the coyote gods will smile upon me once more.
I’m torn on how to deliver the last 72 hours of hunting. I love posting the successes for people to enjoy but, it’s been tough slugging. I’ll try and condense things so it isn’t such an essay.
Wednesday,
First stand of the morning went just perfect. It was quite windy so my play was to get on the downwind side or into the trees. The former in this case. I had treated myself to a shopping spree of new sounds for the caller the night before and couldn’t wait to try some out. I was just laying on my back in the hay field in the shadows of a small hill about 60 yards from the tree line. 7 minutes in, I saw ears above the buck brush, then a face and finally a body materialized. It wasn’t in a hurry, as it had arrived during a pause in my sequence. I let it close of its own accord, raised the shotgun in a smooth motion as I brought my body up. I had timed my move as it looked back at the trees. When its eyes returned and had just met mine, I sent the load of #4 buck into its face at 28 yards. It crumpled instantly. Not even a tail wag. Another big Tom down.
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My fourth set really hurts - bad. I got right in the trees. It was tight but I knew the trail any coyotes would take to come in. Figured it would be a good spot to try with my mouth howler. I wasn’t entirely situated yet. I had planned on getting the shotgun on my knee pointed in the general direction of the deer trail. I sounded off with a solitary howl. I looked down and was just about to lift me knee when directly in front of me, a coyote sounded off with a challenge. It hadn’t even been 10 seconds! I spied the Tom about 35 yards in front of me, on the very trail. His bitch, just behind him. I really didn’t know what to do. They both started to close so I let it play out. Like the pig I am, with the Tom now at 19 yards and the bitch only paces behind, I was still being stupid; wanting them both. I can only assume the wind swirled because the bitch wheeled and ran like her tail was on fire and the Tom a quarter second later. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Are you serious? You just let that, THAT happen?” I howled a few more times but they were done playing. A flash of movement to the west of me caught my attention and I spied another coyote streaking in. This one solidified to me that the wind was certainly swirling in there. He piled on the brakes at 50 yards like he had hit a wall. I ripped at him 3 times with the shotgun but, no dice. That was bad. So very bad.
Another blank set found me in a different area afterwards. I ended up pulling one to the tree line. I figured it would close but made a fool of me. I’m sure I could have gotten on it at 200 yards but wouldn’t you know it, it turns and back into the bush. Would not come out again. Another two blank stands to finish the day. That was a lot of work for one coyote.
Thursday
Fickle winds greeted my face when I walked out of the house in the dark. I looked at a couple wind maps and it was a total hodgepodge. Swirls and rolls and sweeps were everywhere on the map. I should have just stayed home but, I’m stubborn.
My second set had me after The Mensa Coyote. Why on earth I made this choice, that day, I will never know. Long story short, the wind was good when I walked in. I didn’t feel it change 225 degrees. But, it did. And wouldn’t you know it, I had that miserable Tom and his Bitch coming at long last with another younger male in tow. Again, it was like an invisible man had slammed them in the faces with a 2”x8”. They all wheeled and were gone. I knew what had happened, I just hadn’t felt it happen. Not like I’ve been trying to kill that coyote for nearly half a decade or anything. No big deal. I was some dejected.
Several dry stands later, I finally got into one again. I had deployed my coyote decoy on a hill top and was doing an entire sequence of new coyote vocals. I was about 10 minutes in when I thought I saw a set of ears above a hilltop, and then a coyote came bounding into view. It saw my coyote decoy and went about 70 yards upwind of it. Then sat down and stared at it for close to a minute. I had the shotgun on it already but wanted to see how it would play out with the decoy. It finally rose from its haunches and started trotting towards the decoy. I didn’t want it to cut my tracks and spook so I decided to let fly. I had completely misjudged the distance, thinking it at 45 yards; it was actually at 60 yards. I hit it all three times with the shotgun and my head just about exploded when it started running away. Onto the 6mmAI in a flash and made a quick running shot to finish things. I’m always amazed how tough these things are.
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More blank sets to round out the day. I did find a pretty nice dead WT rack. I wasn’t dealing with getting a found dead permit with dicey phone service, so I snapped a photo and will recover when I’m in there looking for sheds come spring.
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Friday
Morning had me sneaking into a field that I had been seeing coyotes mousing for a few days now. I glassed what I could before heading in but the field undulates in a way that its entirety cannot be seen from the road. Peeking over a hill top, I could see a coyote moving south. Then I spied another to the south of that coyote. I wasn’t going to be able to get where I wanted, so I figured I’d lay down and see what happens with some soft cries on the mouth call. Well, 20 seconds later, there were three sets of eyes staring my direction. I actually thought it was going to play out alright but one spooked and the other two followed suit. I ran to the next hilltop and got prone on one, now about 450 yards away. My wind call was good but my bullet missed high. That was unfortunate.
The next set had me going back to a spot I had called about a week ago. It’s where the fight broke out and three of the four peaced out. Well, in the weeks interim, they had killed a deer and I found the carcass on the way in. What a murder scene. No joke, it was like The Ghost and The Darkness when the lion kills Remington. I’ve never seen so much blood. Coyote tracks were everywhere. Let’s get to calling! Getting situated, I pounded out some distress with the hand calls. It hadn’t been much more than 4 minutes and I had a coyote streaking along the bottom of the hill in front of me. I have no idea where it came from. I gave a couple loud “WOOFS” to try and stop it but instead, it grabbed a gear. I was on it with the rifle almost immediately when it came into view and falling into a comfy lead before before breaking the trigger, a resounding BOOM! CHOP! echoed back to me. Looking to the south, I could see another coyote scathing for cover. I gave a loud, long “WOOOOOH” and it came to a stop. I figured it to be around 450 yards and touched off. Again, my wind call was perfect but I shot over once more. Getting back to calling, I switched to howls and fights. I caught movement to the west of my position and could see a coyote working towards my position through the slough grass. It got onto to open ice of the slough and then started swinging wide. I knew it wasn’t going to be getting any closer so I shifted with the rifle into a shooting position when it went behind some willows. As soon as it came into view again I gave another long “WOOOO”. It came to a halt in its travels and I nestled the crosshairs with my 350 yard hold over. “BOOOOOOM! CHOP!” I later paced it out at 347 yards. Lucky guess. I did have the previous miss to pull on for my range estimation though. Anyway, not text book but, a solid double.
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I had to get my daughter to the Orthodontist so I had to put the day on pause. I was able to get out for another set after taking care of Fatherly obligations. It was all coyote vocals with my howler. I wasn’t running a timer or anything so, I’d guess it was about 15minutes into the set. I saw three or four magpies bombing at something in a little dip. I swung the rifle over immediately and waited for the coyote to pop into view on the chance that it would try to swing downwind without a shot opp. It was coming steady enough that I probably could have had a chance to shotgun it but, I had already committed. It came to a halt at 70 yards, looking around for the coyotes it had heard. The crosshair settled on its shoulder and the rifle barked once more. BOOM! CHOP! Another big Tom down and #45 in my tally.
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I pounded out another 2 sets before pulling the pin. Both blanks. There was one coyote screwing around about 700 yards away on one set but it had zero interest. It was 80 yards off the road when I went by. I’ll get it another day.
Lots of work and screw ups to match. I can’t win every day. I did however, just sit and watch the sun set on Thursday. Instead of a last minute, hurried set. A cigarette really would have made that moment. Thinking about what I was thinking about when I was twelve. Lol…. Anyway, enjoy the read. I’ll be out again tomorrow. See if the coyote gods will smile upon me once more.
Big Lou
Well-known member
7 Fell Today
The last week of calling has been relatively slow for me. I didn’t hunt yesterday, so I took the opportunity to do some scouting and chat with a few landowners I hadn’t asked for permission yet this year. I saw more coyotes just driving around yesterday afternoon than I’ve seen all winter. Looked like they were finally turning on again & I would be out.
Stand #1
Part of permission was on some contiguous pasture with several blocks of bush. There are six quarters, all in a block and my plan was to sort of zig zag my way to three spots. It is solid bush to the east of this pasture and from the looks of things, several coyotes were frequenting the area. I nestled myself into the shade on a hillside and got to calling. I had ran through an entire sequence using my mouth calls. I even stayed in the spot longer than I normally do. I checked my phone and saw that I had been calling for 30min. Figuring it was a bust, I started getting my gear together. I had just stood up and saw a coyote crest a ride about 60 yards away. Imagine my surprise as I dropped to my knees and my quarry did not see me, continuing to close. It dropped out of sight and I knew it would wind me soon. Had I been a little more forward thinking, an aggressive move with the shotgun would have worked marvellously. It winded me and was doing Mach Chicken when it came into view. I missed my first shot with the rifle but, connected my second; seeing it go cartwheeling into the trees downhill. Neither of those shots felt good and a sinking feeling crept over me that it could be, one of those days. Keeping with my initial intentions of clean pictures, I will not be posting this one. Suffice to say, it was a head shot and we will leave it at that.
Stand #2
Snaking and weaving my way along, I selected a brush pile about 700 yards from where I had first called. I opted to set up the caller for this situation. I opened with some woodpecker and then blue jay distress. I’d seen a set of fox prints on the way in so I fired out a series of fox distress. A minute or so after muting, I saw a coyote crest a hill about 225-250 yards away. It sat down and was surveying the scene. Letting loose with a coax, it sprang into action immediately and came running. As it dropped out of sight, I readied the shotgun for it to reappear. Its head came into view and I gave one flip of the decoy. That was all it took to sell the ruse. It closed to within mere feet of the caller in full stalk mode. The shotgun rocked in my arms and my second coyote of the morning folded.
Stand #3
This one is another hilltop set up. About a half mile from the second set. It generally plays out the same way for whatever reason and I get some shotgun action. This morning proved to be no different. One series on the mouth call had a gaggle of Magpies squawking in the tree tops of the fence line. Watching several dropping towards something unseen in the trees, I gave a soft “t’waaa t’waa t’wa”. Almost immediately, I saw a coyote and then another, about 70 yards away. Both were peering through the grass and sparse trees in my direction. With a couple soft lip squeaks, they came. One was coming on a string and the other, still closing but was out of shotgun range. With the lead coyote only 20 yards away, it was time. Raising up, the closest coyote half floored me by just standing there and receiving the load of shot to the face. Dropping the shotgun and mounting the rifle, me earlier fears were confirmed as I proceeded to whiff two running shots. “Alright. So the runners aren’t in trouble yet today.” I collected the Bitch for a photo and commenced my 1.5mile hike back to the truck.
Stand #4
Hadn’t called this spot yet this winter. I was legitimately surprised to get blanked here. Not even a Magpie showed.
A quick stop for fuel and I was off to some new permission. I’d called here many times but, that land had changed hands and I’d only recently procured the digits of the new owners. They were gracious enough to grant access without ever meeting them.
Stand #5
I’m not happy over how this went down. I selected a stand. Got all set up and then, second guessed my choice. Gathered my gear and moved another 600 yards further in. Turns out, my initial selection was where I should have stayed. I had a pair coming to pup distress and they started swinging to get downwind at approximately 175 yards. Several “WOOO”s later, they were not stopping. “Perfect. Your running shooting has been so on point this morning. This should be good.” I knew I had missed as soon as I squeezed. Trying another poke, the result was the same. “YOU SUCK TODAY”. End of story.
Stand #6
I was going to head across the road and call about a mile away from where I had just called. That pair had ran that way but I cared not. There’s a good network of willow, slough bottoms and poplar bluffs. I’ve enjoyed much success there over the years. This proved true once more. Getting tucked in my usual spot, I sent another round of fox distress into the surrounding area. Within 2 minutes, I had a pair looking my direction at about 200 yards. With the wide swings downwind becoming a more regular thing as of late, I moved myself with the rifle as they went out of sight for a moment. Reappearing at 130 yards, I thought I was placing my crosshairs on the Tom. It was such a nice, big coyote. It dwarfed its partner. A resounding BOOM! CHOP! Greeted my ears as the coyote dropped right where it stood. I never even shot at its fleeing mate. Confidence just wasn’t there. I don’t know if I’ve ever killed such a large female. Only one other comes to mind and she wasn’t even close to the same quality of fur.
Stand #7
Last week, I had a set interrupted by a work crew while I had a coyote working in. I quite like this spot. It’s a quick and easy walk through the pasture. There’s a nice little patch of buck brush to set up in and the snow always drifts into this spot in a way that, it almost creates a lounger. Anyway, I had not spooked the coyote so I wasn’t worried about a non response. Tucked into my lounger and the caller out in front, I let a soft and short series of rabbit distress echo through the bluffs and hollows. I was prepared to stay quiet for up to 10 minutes. Volume and lots of calling has never proved to be of any benefit here. At the 2.5 minute mark, I spied ears in the exact same spot that last weeks coyote had appeared. I then saw another and another. All three were out of the trees and exposed at about 120yards. One being a real toad of a coyote. My pulse quickened at the thought of taking a Tom of this stature. I started coaxing but none were really buying it. One of them had gone for a little walkabout and was now about 200 yards away. The two closer coyotes turned and walked back into the bush after our several minute stalemate. “NOOO!” Thinking this may not go my way, I opted to get the rifle on Dundee. There was a little bit of buck brush in between us but, I figured I could keep the bullet above the stems and still kill it. BOOM! I heard impact but it didn’t sound normal. The coyote disappeared. I fired up some pup distress and dying coyote. Cycling back and forth between the two rapidly. I saw a coyote emerge again from the brush. It was looking intently in the direction of where the first coyote had been. I immediately thought I had wounded it and it was moving or thrashing. I found it in my sight picture and settled the crosshair on the shoulder. BOOM! CHOP! And I watched the coyote tip over in my scope. I decided to try a fight sound. It was almost immediately answered with a challenge. “The Alpha! It’s the toad! I know it is”! I started cycling between fights and pup distress. Maybe 15-20 of one sound and then the other. I heard a very charged up challenge west of me. Fired up Pound Town and what a sight. This Herculean Cream Puff of a ticked off coyote comes tearing around the edge of the trees. He looked incredible. Leaps, piles on the brakes and launches into a frenzied challenge. I almost didn’t want to shoot and just enjoy the show but, I was there for business. BOOM! CHOP! As the V-Max tucked into the pocket. “WHAT A SET”! I collected the two in the open which were both big coyotes but the one Tom, geeze. What a specimen. I wish I had a scale. He was noticeably heavier than anything I’ve shot in some time. I walked over for the first I had shot at and found blood sprays. “Crap.” Three quarters of a mile later, I found where it had expired. It was pretty graphic to say the least. I didn’t even try to take a picture. Just glad it wasn’t suffering. I humped on it to get back and snap a photo of the other two. Numbers 52 &53.
Pretty action packed day. Really disappointed in my rifle work though. Very frustrating days when you can’t hit the runners. Regardless, it was very nice to finish the day with a show like I received, complete with a triple. Even if it wasn’t in a fashion that I’d prefer.
I might take off up north after wolves for a few days. Maybe. See how I’m feeling after tomorrow. I dunno. Hope you enjoy the read and pics and best of luck if you’re out there doing the same as myself.
The last week of calling has been relatively slow for me. I didn’t hunt yesterday, so I took the opportunity to do some scouting and chat with a few landowners I hadn’t asked for permission yet this year. I saw more coyotes just driving around yesterday afternoon than I’ve seen all winter. Looked like they were finally turning on again & I would be out.
Stand #1
Part of permission was on some contiguous pasture with several blocks of bush. There are six quarters, all in a block and my plan was to sort of zig zag my way to three spots. It is solid bush to the east of this pasture and from the looks of things, several coyotes were frequenting the area. I nestled myself into the shade on a hillside and got to calling. I had ran through an entire sequence using my mouth calls. I even stayed in the spot longer than I normally do. I checked my phone and saw that I had been calling for 30min. Figuring it was a bust, I started getting my gear together. I had just stood up and saw a coyote crest a ride about 60 yards away. Imagine my surprise as I dropped to my knees and my quarry did not see me, continuing to close. It dropped out of sight and I knew it would wind me soon. Had I been a little more forward thinking, an aggressive move with the shotgun would have worked marvellously. It winded me and was doing Mach Chicken when it came into view. I missed my first shot with the rifle but, connected my second; seeing it go cartwheeling into the trees downhill. Neither of those shots felt good and a sinking feeling crept over me that it could be, one of those days. Keeping with my initial intentions of clean pictures, I will not be posting this one. Suffice to say, it was a head shot and we will leave it at that.
Stand #2
Snaking and weaving my way along, I selected a brush pile about 700 yards from where I had first called. I opted to set up the caller for this situation. I opened with some woodpecker and then blue jay distress. I’d seen a set of fox prints on the way in so I fired out a series of fox distress. A minute or so after muting, I saw a coyote crest a hill about 225-250 yards away. It sat down and was surveying the scene. Letting loose with a coax, it sprang into action immediately and came running. As it dropped out of sight, I readied the shotgun for it to reappear. Its head came into view and I gave one flip of the decoy. That was all it took to sell the ruse. It closed to within mere feet of the caller in full stalk mode. The shotgun rocked in my arms and my second coyote of the morning folded.
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Stand #3
This one is another hilltop set up. About a half mile from the second set. It generally plays out the same way for whatever reason and I get some shotgun action. This morning proved to be no different. One series on the mouth call had a gaggle of Magpies squawking in the tree tops of the fence line. Watching several dropping towards something unseen in the trees, I gave a soft “t’waaa t’waa t’wa”. Almost immediately, I saw a coyote and then another, about 70 yards away. Both were peering through the grass and sparse trees in my direction. With a couple soft lip squeaks, they came. One was coming on a string and the other, still closing but was out of shotgun range. With the lead coyote only 20 yards away, it was time. Raising up, the closest coyote half floored me by just standing there and receiving the load of shot to the face. Dropping the shotgun and mounting the rifle, me earlier fears were confirmed as I proceeded to whiff two running shots. “Alright. So the runners aren’t in trouble yet today.” I collected the Bitch for a photo and commenced my 1.5mile hike back to the truck.
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Stand #4
Hadn’t called this spot yet this winter. I was legitimately surprised to get blanked here. Not even a Magpie showed.
A quick stop for fuel and I was off to some new permission. I’d called here many times but, that land had changed hands and I’d only recently procured the digits of the new owners. They were gracious enough to grant access without ever meeting them.
Stand #5
I’m not happy over how this went down. I selected a stand. Got all set up and then, second guessed my choice. Gathered my gear and moved another 600 yards further in. Turns out, my initial selection was where I should have stayed. I had a pair coming to pup distress and they started swinging to get downwind at approximately 175 yards. Several “WOOO”s later, they were not stopping. “Perfect. Your running shooting has been so on point this morning. This should be good.” I knew I had missed as soon as I squeezed. Trying another poke, the result was the same. “YOU SUCK TODAY”. End of story.
Stand #6
I was going to head across the road and call about a mile away from where I had just called. That pair had ran that way but I cared not. There’s a good network of willow, slough bottoms and poplar bluffs. I’ve enjoyed much success there over the years. This proved true once more. Getting tucked in my usual spot, I sent another round of fox distress into the surrounding area. Within 2 minutes, I had a pair looking my direction at about 200 yards. With the wide swings downwind becoming a more regular thing as of late, I moved myself with the rifle as they went out of sight for a moment. Reappearing at 130 yards, I thought I was placing my crosshairs on the Tom. It was such a nice, big coyote. It dwarfed its partner. A resounding BOOM! CHOP! Greeted my ears as the coyote dropped right where it stood. I never even shot at its fleeing mate. Confidence just wasn’t there. I don’t know if I’ve ever killed such a large female. Only one other comes to mind and she wasn’t even close to the same quality of fur.
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Stand #7
Last week, I had a set interrupted by a work crew while I had a coyote working in. I quite like this spot. It’s a quick and easy walk through the pasture. There’s a nice little patch of buck brush to set up in and the snow always drifts into this spot in a way that, it almost creates a lounger. Anyway, I had not spooked the coyote so I wasn’t worried about a non response. Tucked into my lounger and the caller out in front, I let a soft and short series of rabbit distress echo through the bluffs and hollows. I was prepared to stay quiet for up to 10 minutes. Volume and lots of calling has never proved to be of any benefit here. At the 2.5 minute mark, I spied ears in the exact same spot that last weeks coyote had appeared. I then saw another and another. All three were out of the trees and exposed at about 120yards. One being a real toad of a coyote. My pulse quickened at the thought of taking a Tom of this stature. I started coaxing but none were really buying it. One of them had gone for a little walkabout and was now about 200 yards away. The two closer coyotes turned and walked back into the bush after our several minute stalemate. “NOOO!” Thinking this may not go my way, I opted to get the rifle on Dundee. There was a little bit of buck brush in between us but, I figured I could keep the bullet above the stems and still kill it. BOOM! I heard impact but it didn’t sound normal. The coyote disappeared. I fired up some pup distress and dying coyote. Cycling back and forth between the two rapidly. I saw a coyote emerge again from the brush. It was looking intently in the direction of where the first coyote had been. I immediately thought I had wounded it and it was moving or thrashing. I found it in my sight picture and settled the crosshair on the shoulder. BOOM! CHOP! And I watched the coyote tip over in my scope. I decided to try a fight sound. It was almost immediately answered with a challenge. “The Alpha! It’s the toad! I know it is”! I started cycling between fights and pup distress. Maybe 15-20 of one sound and then the other. I heard a very charged up challenge west of me. Fired up Pound Town and what a sight. This Herculean Cream Puff of a ticked off coyote comes tearing around the edge of the trees. He looked incredible. Leaps, piles on the brakes and launches into a frenzied challenge. I almost didn’t want to shoot and just enjoy the show but, I was there for business. BOOM! CHOP! As the V-Max tucked into the pocket. “WHAT A SET”! I collected the two in the open which were both big coyotes but the one Tom, geeze. What a specimen. I wish I had a scale. He was noticeably heavier than anything I’ve shot in some time. I walked over for the first I had shot at and found blood sprays. “Crap.” Three quarters of a mile later, I found where it had expired. It was pretty graphic to say the least. I didn’t even try to take a picture. Just glad it wasn’t suffering. I humped on it to get back and snap a photo of the other two. Numbers 52 &53.
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Pretty action packed day. Really disappointed in my rifle work though. Very frustrating days when you can’t hit the runners. Regardless, it was very nice to finish the day with a show like I received, complete with a triple. Even if it wasn’t in a fashion that I’d prefer.
I might take off up north after wolves for a few days. Maybe. See how I’m feeling after tomorrow. I dunno. Hope you enjoy the read and pics and best of luck if you’re out there doing the same as myself.
Well, you didn't mention anything about the morning after your anniversary dinner7 Coyote Day
It’s my anniversary today. I’m on the crap list and racing home to take her out for dinner. Pictures and story to follow later this evening. I got out late and had to quit early, but I did four sets. Called in 8 and killed 7. The one that got away would have been a quad. God I love hunting coyotes. Wish me luck with my wife. I’m going to need it.
Okay. So, I did some scrambling. She’s fed and sassy. I’m still alive. Hopefully she’s too full and won’t want me to perform - as I’m also too full. Maybe morning…. Yes, morning….
Never got going until about 10:00 this morning. Was pea soup fog everywhere and it was socked in. A little bit of preface. I was down to my last six, 6mm AI rounds as I built a new loading bench and I’m waiting for my press stand from Inline to arrive before installing the press. Yes, I have other rifles, but I’m in love with this one right now. This detail will come to light later.
Stand #1
I like calling this spot. It’s rich in coyotes. Every time I have called it, it produces multiples. Although my last time calling there, was a disaster. But that, is another story. The wind was a touch different than what I normally play here, so I snuck up a treed fence line looking for a suitable hide. I ended up going further than I had intended originally but found a spot I liked. Wasn’t overly suited for the rifle, so I decided to leave the caller in the pack and run mouth calls. If it’s a shotgun situation, may as well put them in my lap. I let rip with a series of rabbit screams and hunkered in. Within about 3 minutes, I spy a set of ears moving quickly above the grass along the trees about 100 yards away. Then another set of ears as the first coyote materializes in front of me. I was tucked right into the shadows and both coyotes were now in my view. The first one started angling towards my position and I readied myself with the shotgun. Again the coyote stopped. The second coyote was still stationary behind the first and about 25 yards separated them. Ever so slowly, I raised my hand to my lips and started squeaking. Both coyotes perked their ears right up and launched towards me. Knowing I was going to have to be fast and efficient, I elected to take the rear coyote first. Coyote one was jumping up and running as it closed at about 15 yards and #2 at 40ish when I thought “I better do some shooting before this thing lands in my lap”, rose up and pounded a load of #4 buck into the chest and face of the trailing coyote. Coyote #1 wheeled and started retreating. It received 2 quick shots and died only feet from the other. I was jacked right up. Today could be good!
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Set #2
Never called before. Sign everywhere. Was a total bust. Not even a magpie. Oh well. I have permission a mile to the north. There must be coyotes somewhere close.
Set #3
I’ve never called this spot either. Had a pretty good idea where I needed to be. Using another treed fence line, I slunk in and selected a hide. I didn’t want to be tight to the trees as I don’t have permission on the other side of the fence. So a semi grassy area with a little bit of elevation about 150 yards from the trees will have do. I had a real hunch when setting up that I could shotgun one here. Caller about 30 yards away, I tucked into the grass and broke the silence. About the six minute mark, I see a coyote coming over a little rise. It’s about 120 yards away and just looking for the source of the sounds. I switched to a coaxer and gave the decoy a couple little flicks. Immediately, the coyote zones right in on the decoy and is charging hard. I let it close on the decoy to about 10’ and popped up. The coyote saw me about the time I had the gun shouldered and the look of surprise in its eyes - oh my. A quick double tap, and I’ve got my third shotgun coyote down. Seeing as things happened pretty fast, I get on the distress again. I hear a male light up with some howls. Not challenging or anything. Figured he was calling for his bitch. So I challenged him. He immediately challenges back. A back and forth commences and continues for the next 10 minutes or more. He’s getting closer and closer. I figure I’ve pulled him closer than 300 yards now. He’s in the bubble and is pretty much obligated to come and investigate if he hears pup distress. My hunch is right as he appears quickly after hearing the pup distress. He closes to about the 75 yard mark and I can only assume that he saw the dead coyote laying there. He turns to depart and I get on the rifle. One soft wwwoooo and he turns and stops, offering me a broadside shot. BOOM! THWOP! The 75gr Vmax tucks right into the pocket and he folds hard. Yes! Two doubles and three are shotgunned! I could go home now and be happy. But I’m greedy.
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Set #4
A couple weeks ago, in my 3-2-1 thread, there was a stand that I fell apart and let three get away from me. My friend, who owns the acres there had sent me a couple recordings of all the howling in the evenings since I had been there. I decided to give in and call it a week earlier than I normally give between intrusions. Selecting a different spot to call from, I begun my trek in. The wind was starting to become fickle, and a switch was at hand sooner than later. So I set up in a manner that would afford me some leniency when it did switch. I started with some coyote vocals and received no answers. At around the 9 minute mark, I saw a coyote about 400 yards west of me. With the wind still out of the SW, I wasn’t worried as it sort of angled my direction. I glanced to the south of me and saw a coyote come out of the creek, then another. They were coming my way, the first coyote had locked onto them and was coming towards them as well. I felt the kiss of wind out of the east on the back of my neck and knew I wouldn’t be able to let them close in tight. There was some serious body posturing going on between them as they moved in. I had the rifle shouldered already. Remember how I said I was down to six rounds starting the day? Well, I had 5 remaining but somehow lost one in my truck before heading in to this stand. So there’s four hot in the rifle. Fearing that they would wind me soon, I threw down and proceeded to put forth one of the finest displays of marksmanship I’m capable of. One coyote stops at about 175 yards. BOOM! THWOP! 3 rounds left. I pull into a smooth lead with both eyes open and the trigger breaks. BOOM! THWOP! And the scope is filled with an image of ears, legs and tail cartwheeling along the ground. 2 rounds left. A quick adjustment on the bipod and I fall into a comfortable lead on the third which is now crowding the 300 yard mark. BOOM! THWOP! “Oh yeah! If this isn’t redemption then I don’t know what is!” I’m really jacked up over what just went down. I want to get up but look at the timer and, I’m only 12 minutes in. I’ll call again. So I rip another series of rabbit. Something is shining to the west of me again. A Quick look confirms, it’s another coyote. After several attempts with the rabbit to entice, it’s still on its haunches. Pup distress. This gets it moving. But it’s closing quite cautiously and the wind is going to give me away at any moment. One round left. It stops and is looking at me. I can only see its head. I’ll admit, I panicked a bit at the thought of a quad escaping me and I needlessly rushed the shot. I should have waited or taken my time; actually both but, I was confident. BOOOOOOOMMMMMM! My last round. “No thwop?” And the coyote is bounding away. Then stops broadside. Runs again. Stops broadside. “My god. Why did I not look harder for the round I lost in the truck? I really need it right now!” Not to be. I watch the coyote retreat to the creek. I’m left alone, on my butt; the highest of highs, dashed by a dirty low. Three will have to do.
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Hope you enjoyed the read and pics. Pretty happy with the day and I promise, more to come. I would have killed to have made one more stand this afternoon, but keeping my testicles proved to be of higher priority. The 6mmAI is on the sidelines until I can load some ammo and the Howa 1500 .223 is in the game once again. I haven’t used it for a while, but it has been a prolific killer for me over several years. It’s actually good that I’m being forced to use it again. I’m getting spoiled with this 6mm action.
Big Lou
Well-known member
Batted .1000 Today
I was so excited for today. Post storm. Nice and crisp. Not much wind but reasonably steady. All the signs were there when I left the house before sun up. But alas, I was slightly subdued in my departure, knowing that calling exploits would be interrupted by another trip to the Orthodontist - this time, my son. Better make the best of it.
Stand #1
Returning once more to the hill top I call from here, I snuggled in to the snow drift and briefly relived my previous double here. I let rip with a howl and hushed up. To the north of me, 3 or 4 coyotes lit up. I quickly adjusted myself to that direction and got some grey fox distress going. After a couple or three series and seeing nothing from the north, I glanced back to the south west and saw a coyote making its way in, about 400 yards out. I waited until it dropped into a swale and made my turn to get positioned. Every coyote coming from that direction has gravitated to the same general spot, crossing the big slough. I was ready. At roughly 150 yards, it stopped and was looking in my general direction. It was stopped and relaxed - may as well. BOOM! CHOP! and the coyote vanished. Imagine my surprise when 20 seconds later, I see it streaking back from whence it came. “What the hell?” Getting back on it, I could see blood all over its legs and stomach and realized I had hit it low. My leads felt good and I barely missed my next two shots. “Okay seriously. Get your poop in a group and finish this poor thing.” Now quartering and what I figured was 400ish yards, I touched off again. BOOOOOOOM! CHOP! A poof of snow in the scope where it piled up and it was over. Dropped my head and raised a finger to Heaven acknowledging whomever assisted me on that one. Pressed for time, I didn’t walk out for a picture.
Stand #2
Farming friend had said they have had a lot of coyotes around as of late. Calving for them begins soon and our last phone conversation ended with me having the run of the place.
I set up in a tree line and had a fairly commanding view of the surroundings. Well, grey fox produced last time. Let’s hit it again. Only a minute in, I saw a coyote break cover about 700 yards north of me. It covered about half of that distance and then sat down. For several minutes I tried different distress sounds. Tried mouth calls. Still it sat, content to keep its perch. “Must be a bitch” I thought to myself. Maybe a breeding sound? 5 seconds after unleashing some Cornered Hottie, it was closing fast. As it moved briefly behind some tall grass, I positioned myself with the rifle. At 135 yards, it stopped and the crosshairs settled on the shoulder. BOOM! CHOP! #2 for the morning was motionless in the snow. An adult Bitch.
At this point, I had to pull the pin and do some Dad Duty. 4 hours later, I was back out in the same general area. I had been meaning to do this one stand. Why on earth I left it until we got a bunch of snow, your guess is as good as mine. 2 miles one way. There is nowhere to hide the truck and if you want to call it, that’s your only option. I made my hike in.
Stand #3
I was only about 200 yards from the edge of the bush. Wind directly out of the south. The snow had drifted up pretty high on the fence line and with the angle of the sun now, there was a lovely pocket of shadow to tuck in. With the caller straight east of me, I decided to go with the mouth call and see if anything was close by in the Red Willow. “Twaaah… Twaah… Twah… Twah… Twah” and I hunkered in. I briefly looked down at my calls and when I looked up, a coyote was ripping towards me. Already under 100 yards and closing fast. Any of my movement was hidden by the snow bank and I semi readied myself for what would be a twisting, offhand shot with the shotgun. At 15 yards I made my twist and gave a lip squeak. It stopped but still hadn’t seen me as the load of #4 Buck found its face. I fired out some grey fox again with no response. Then broke into some howls, breeding sounds and finally some fight sounds. There had been magpies around steady and I was surprised I hadn’t had anything else show. Now 20 minutes into the set, I turned my head slightly and was astonished to see a coyote, no more than 8 yards away from me. My movement did not go unnoticed this time but, it didn’t spook either. It looked at me and took a few steps and repeated. I was debating taking another offhand, awkward shot when it started acting like it wanted to cross the fence. I gave a couple coaxes and a flick of the decoy and it launched to the other side of the fence, now completely focussed on the decoy. I let it close to 25 yards, as I was now in a comfortable shooting position and the game was mine. At the report of the shot, a rather unexpected shotgun double was mine. How that second coyote did not wind me, I will never know.
Stand #4
Wanting to call a completely different area as the wind was perfect, I hauled on it to relocate for a last set. This is normally, a regular spot of mine. I’ve enjoyed success on many occasions and more often than not, it produces multiples. I opted for a different hide than I usually call from. Don’t think I’ll do it again. It worked but, I prefer my normal hide. Getting situated on the edge of the tree line, fox was once again on the menu. Immediately, several magpies lifted from a willow patch that the coyotes will regularly emerge from. After several minutes of fox, rabbit and woodpecker; all I had for responses was the gaggle of Magpies in the trees above and around me. Switching to howls, breeding noises and then fight sounds; I still had no coyote respond. With all the tracks, there was no way at least one coyote wasn’t hearing me. I let rip with a fight challenge and then started cycling between pup distress and pup screams rapidly as I had done a few days ago. Back and forth, back and forth just begging to trigger a response. 24 minutes in now, I spied something that wasn’t there before above a little rise as a coyote materialized seconds later at about 200 yards. As it continued to close at a trot, I slowly made a couple small moves to get myself in position. As the crosshairs fell upon and followed the coyote, I gave a soft “WOOOO”. Coming to a slow stop and at full attention, I broke the trigger and a resounding BOOM! CHOP! once again echoed across the countryside. My fifth of the day and another adult Bitch. “Yes! Not a blank stand today and I killed every one that showed!”
Work will be picking up for me soon here and sadly, my Coyotecation is coming to an end. Hopefully it isn’t super windy tomorrow as I’d like to get just another two to round out my season. Guess we will see. This is about the time of year that I start getting calls from people calving so, there might be another couple rounds yet. Regardless, a good day considering. Hope you enjoy the read and pics. It’s a great time of year to be out and about.
I was so excited for today. Post storm. Nice and crisp. Not much wind but reasonably steady. All the signs were there when I left the house before sun up. But alas, I was slightly subdued in my departure, knowing that calling exploits would be interrupted by another trip to the Orthodontist - this time, my son. Better make the best of it.
Stand #1
Returning once more to the hill top I call from here, I snuggled in to the snow drift and briefly relived my previous double here. I let rip with a howl and hushed up. To the north of me, 3 or 4 coyotes lit up. I quickly adjusted myself to that direction and got some grey fox distress going. After a couple or three series and seeing nothing from the north, I glanced back to the south west and saw a coyote making its way in, about 400 yards out. I waited until it dropped into a swale and made my turn to get positioned. Every coyote coming from that direction has gravitated to the same general spot, crossing the big slough. I was ready. At roughly 150 yards, it stopped and was looking in my general direction. It was stopped and relaxed - may as well. BOOM! CHOP! and the coyote vanished. Imagine my surprise when 20 seconds later, I see it streaking back from whence it came. “What the hell?” Getting back on it, I could see blood all over its legs and stomach and realized I had hit it low. My leads felt good and I barely missed my next two shots. “Okay seriously. Get your poop in a group and finish this poor thing.” Now quartering and what I figured was 400ish yards, I touched off again. BOOOOOOOM! CHOP! A poof of snow in the scope where it piled up and it was over. Dropped my head and raised a finger to Heaven acknowledging whomever assisted me on that one. Pressed for time, I didn’t walk out for a picture.
Stand #2
Farming friend had said they have had a lot of coyotes around as of late. Calving for them begins soon and our last phone conversation ended with me having the run of the place.
I set up in a tree line and had a fairly commanding view of the surroundings. Well, grey fox produced last time. Let’s hit it again. Only a minute in, I saw a coyote break cover about 700 yards north of me. It covered about half of that distance and then sat down. For several minutes I tried different distress sounds. Tried mouth calls. Still it sat, content to keep its perch. “Must be a bitch” I thought to myself. Maybe a breeding sound? 5 seconds after unleashing some Cornered Hottie, it was closing fast. As it moved briefly behind some tall grass, I positioned myself with the rifle. At 135 yards, it stopped and the crosshairs settled on the shoulder. BOOM! CHOP! #2 for the morning was motionless in the snow. An adult Bitch.
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At this point, I had to pull the pin and do some Dad Duty. 4 hours later, I was back out in the same general area. I had been meaning to do this one stand. Why on earth I left it until we got a bunch of snow, your guess is as good as mine. 2 miles one way. There is nowhere to hide the truck and if you want to call it, that’s your only option. I made my hike in.
Stand #3
I was only about 200 yards from the edge of the bush. Wind directly out of the south. The snow had drifted up pretty high on the fence line and with the angle of the sun now, there was a lovely pocket of shadow to tuck in. With the caller straight east of me, I decided to go with the mouth call and see if anything was close by in the Red Willow. “Twaaah… Twaah… Twah… Twah… Twah” and I hunkered in. I briefly looked down at my calls and when I looked up, a coyote was ripping towards me. Already under 100 yards and closing fast. Any of my movement was hidden by the snow bank and I semi readied myself for what would be a twisting, offhand shot with the shotgun. At 15 yards I made my twist and gave a lip squeak. It stopped but still hadn’t seen me as the load of #4 Buck found its face. I fired out some grey fox again with no response. Then broke into some howls, breeding sounds and finally some fight sounds. There had been magpies around steady and I was surprised I hadn’t had anything else show. Now 20 minutes into the set, I turned my head slightly and was astonished to see a coyote, no more than 8 yards away from me. My movement did not go unnoticed this time but, it didn’t spook either. It looked at me and took a few steps and repeated. I was debating taking another offhand, awkward shot when it started acting like it wanted to cross the fence. I gave a couple coaxes and a flick of the decoy and it launched to the other side of the fence, now completely focussed on the decoy. I let it close to 25 yards, as I was now in a comfortable shooting position and the game was mine. At the report of the shot, a rather unexpected shotgun double was mine. How that second coyote did not wind me, I will never know.
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Stand #4
Wanting to call a completely different area as the wind was perfect, I hauled on it to relocate for a last set. This is normally, a regular spot of mine. I’ve enjoyed success on many occasions and more often than not, it produces multiples. I opted for a different hide than I usually call from. Don’t think I’ll do it again. It worked but, I prefer my normal hide. Getting situated on the edge of the tree line, fox was once again on the menu. Immediately, several magpies lifted from a willow patch that the coyotes will regularly emerge from. After several minutes of fox, rabbit and woodpecker; all I had for responses was the gaggle of Magpies in the trees above and around me. Switching to howls, breeding noises and then fight sounds; I still had no coyote respond. With all the tracks, there was no way at least one coyote wasn’t hearing me. I let rip with a fight challenge and then started cycling between pup distress and pup screams rapidly as I had done a few days ago. Back and forth, back and forth just begging to trigger a response. 24 minutes in now, I spied something that wasn’t there before above a little rise as a coyote materialized seconds later at about 200 yards. As it continued to close at a trot, I slowly made a couple small moves to get myself in position. As the crosshairs fell upon and followed the coyote, I gave a soft “WOOOO”. Coming to a slow stop and at full attention, I broke the trigger and a resounding BOOM! CHOP! once again echoed across the countryside. My fifth of the day and another adult Bitch. “Yes! Not a blank stand today and I killed every one that showed!”
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Work will be picking up for me soon here and sadly, my Coyotecation is coming to an end. Hopefully it isn’t super windy tomorrow as I’d like to get just another two to round out my season. Guess we will see. This is about the time of year that I start getting calls from people calving so, there might be another couple rounds yet. Regardless, a good day considering. Hope you enjoy the read and pics. It’s a great time of year to be out and about.