Big Lou
Well-known member
Forecast showed that the wind was going to start blowing hard at some point today. When I poked my head out the door this morning, it wasn’t bad at all and figured I best make the most of things before conditions soured.
I had been contacted by a gal who lives about 6 miles from me. She had lost three sheep in the last couple of weeks. I had actually hit a coyote with my truck only two days ago, right on the borders of her property. I had agreed to come over and call so, figured it was as good a place as any to begin. Slithering in, there were coyote tracks all over and knew I’d be getting into one. After being in there now, I’d do it completely opposite of what I did today but, need an east or south wind to do it. Either way, I was there now and selected a hide that would suffice.
I opened up with a couple lone howls and waited quietly for a couple of minutes. Ripped a pair howl and almost immediately, had two or three coyotes respond. And they were close. Probably sub 300 yards. I waited a full 10min, expecting to see them pop into view but, no dice. I started with some submissive whines at about 50% volume. A couple of minutes of this and I see one, then another coyote pop into view. From where they were, they couldn’t see the caller in a swale and I figured I could suck them that much closer and maybe get a shotgun double.
Stupid me, I selected the wrong preset and they didn’t like it. Both started trotting for the trees but in opposite directions. I was furious with myself and figured I’d go pup distress and try to suck one back. Well, they both came back to the opening and I settled the crosshairs on the offering the best shot. BOOM! CHOP! The 75gr V-Max struck home and hard at 110 yards. The mate was gone in a flash and had no interest in another look. I would be content with just the bitch.
Happy landowner -
. I was off to my next spot. I’ve never called this spot before. Didn’t penetrate terribly far before I set up. Ripped a couple howls and had several groups of coyotes light up. The closest were still a ways in but, I had the whole mile to work into the wind so, gathered my things and moved in another 500 yards or so. I liked this set up better than the initial but, it did leave a lot to be desired. Regardless, I figured I was now close enough to get a response.
Caller 25 yards away, I tucked in and ripped a howl. Within seconds, a pair lit up within 400 yards of me. I stayed quiet for 5 minutes and then gave 20 seconds of rabbit at 50% volume and got ready. Maybe 2-3 minutes later, I caught movement and see a pair advancing. They were hugging the edge of the trees and I didn’t care for the course of approach.
I managed to screw this up badly. One came to 35 yards on my offhand side. When I popped up to swing on it, they both bolted. No shot. I’m mad. Hit pup distress and I see one squirt out of the trees into the open on the downwind side. It’s directly down wind but I’m quite a bit higher and my scent stream is blowing over it. I made my move to swing almost a full 180. It sees me and gets behind the hill top. Then I see its head pop into view. I look through the scope and can see the top of its back. I don’t recall exactly how I managed to miss but, sent one and did not connect. I was quite sour over the whole scene but, I’ll be better next time. There’s a better set up to be found there.
I scooted over to a spot I hadn’t called yet this year. I’d actually called this spot around a half dozen times and it’s always been mixed results. I took about 15 minutes sitting in the truck to look over previous sets and responses. Ultimately, deciding to do something different for the hide and go deeper than I ever had previously. Normally, I’d been selecting high ground for my hide. A spot on the map looked like a reasonably open low spot. Upon getting there, I really liked it. It was a big bowl. A few taller willows right on the edge of some canary grass that was throughout the slough bottom. Anything that committed at all would be in the bowl and I’d have ample shot opportunity. I deployed the caller and tucked into the base of a willow.
The wind was starting to gust pretty good at this point, but it was just gusting. I’d time my calls when it would subside. I worked through a few howls and clammed up. I was about 8 minutes in and waiting for the wind to subside again. Lighting up with Platinum Grey Fox was the plan. For whatever reason, it’s been a good sound here. I dialled up the volume and let it wail. Way louder than what I’d normally run. 45 seconds of that and got quiet again. Maybe one minute later, I see a coyote crest the top of the bowl and come ripping down the slope. For how hard it was coming, I’m confident that I could have shotgunned it but, I decided to get on the rifle instead. As it rounded the edge of the taller grass, I had it in the crosshairs and gave a lip squeak. It came to a stop and at full attention, facing me head on at 57 yards. BOOM! CHOP! A classic fold. Legs pulled right out from under it and collapsed in a heap. I called a bit more but no other gamers showed. It was a nice male coyote and I was tickled.
I went and did another set despite the wind now blowing and gusting harder. By the time I got back from that set, it had picked up yet again. Two would have to do for the day and I headed home after lining up some more permission. We’ll see what tomorrow brings. Hope you enjoy the read.
I had been contacted by a gal who lives about 6 miles from me. She had lost three sheep in the last couple of weeks. I had actually hit a coyote with my truck only two days ago, right on the borders of her property. I had agreed to come over and call so, figured it was as good a place as any to begin. Slithering in, there were coyote tracks all over and knew I’d be getting into one. After being in there now, I’d do it completely opposite of what I did today but, need an east or south wind to do it. Either way, I was there now and selected a hide that would suffice.
I opened up with a couple lone howls and waited quietly for a couple of minutes. Ripped a pair howl and almost immediately, had two or three coyotes respond. And they were close. Probably sub 300 yards. I waited a full 10min, expecting to see them pop into view but, no dice. I started with some submissive whines at about 50% volume. A couple of minutes of this and I see one, then another coyote pop into view. From where they were, they couldn’t see the caller in a swale and I figured I could suck them that much closer and maybe get a shotgun double.
Stupid me, I selected the wrong preset and they didn’t like it. Both started trotting for the trees but in opposite directions. I was furious with myself and figured I’d go pup distress and try to suck one back. Well, they both came back to the opening and I settled the crosshairs on the offering the best shot. BOOM! CHOP! The 75gr V-Max struck home and hard at 110 yards. The mate was gone in a flash and had no interest in another look. I would be content with just the bitch.
Happy landowner -
. I was off to my next spot. I’ve never called this spot before. Didn’t penetrate terribly far before I set up. Ripped a couple howls and had several groups of coyotes light up. The closest were still a ways in but, I had the whole mile to work into the wind so, gathered my things and moved in another 500 yards or so. I liked this set up better than the initial but, it did leave a lot to be desired. Regardless, I figured I was now close enough to get a response.Caller 25 yards away, I tucked in and ripped a howl. Within seconds, a pair lit up within 400 yards of me. I stayed quiet for 5 minutes and then gave 20 seconds of rabbit at 50% volume and got ready. Maybe 2-3 minutes later, I caught movement and see a pair advancing. They were hugging the edge of the trees and I didn’t care for the course of approach.
I managed to screw this up badly. One came to 35 yards on my offhand side. When I popped up to swing on it, they both bolted. No shot. I’m mad. Hit pup distress and I see one squirt out of the trees into the open on the downwind side. It’s directly down wind but I’m quite a bit higher and my scent stream is blowing over it. I made my move to swing almost a full 180. It sees me and gets behind the hill top. Then I see its head pop into view. I look through the scope and can see the top of its back. I don’t recall exactly how I managed to miss but, sent one and did not connect. I was quite sour over the whole scene but, I’ll be better next time. There’s a better set up to be found there.
I scooted over to a spot I hadn’t called yet this year. I’d actually called this spot around a half dozen times and it’s always been mixed results. I took about 15 minutes sitting in the truck to look over previous sets and responses. Ultimately, deciding to do something different for the hide and go deeper than I ever had previously. Normally, I’d been selecting high ground for my hide. A spot on the map looked like a reasonably open low spot. Upon getting there, I really liked it. It was a big bowl. A few taller willows right on the edge of some canary grass that was throughout the slough bottom. Anything that committed at all would be in the bowl and I’d have ample shot opportunity. I deployed the caller and tucked into the base of a willow.
The wind was starting to gust pretty good at this point, but it was just gusting. I’d time my calls when it would subside. I worked through a few howls and clammed up. I was about 8 minutes in and waiting for the wind to subside again. Lighting up with Platinum Grey Fox was the plan. For whatever reason, it’s been a good sound here. I dialled up the volume and let it wail. Way louder than what I’d normally run. 45 seconds of that and got quiet again. Maybe one minute later, I see a coyote crest the top of the bowl and come ripping down the slope. For how hard it was coming, I’m confident that I could have shotgunned it but, I decided to get on the rifle instead. As it rounded the edge of the taller grass, I had it in the crosshairs and gave a lip squeak. It came to a stop and at full attention, facing me head on at 57 yards. BOOM! CHOP! A classic fold. Legs pulled right out from under it and collapsed in a heap. I called a bit more but no other gamers showed. It was a nice male coyote and I was tickled.
I went and did another set despite the wind now blowing and gusting harder. By the time I got back from that set, it had picked up yet again. Two would have to do for the day and I headed home after lining up some more permission. We’ll see what tomorrow brings. Hope you enjoy the read.
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