I apologize for being absent from the forum over the past few days. I joined AzBushman and Justin in the 2018 Santa Slay Coyote Calling Contest here in Az, so it was a BUSY weekend hauling butt and running stands like loonies. So I wasn't able to contribute to the forum over the past few days.
I also want to thank ALL of the PM community for their help and support. I have so many people to thank that I am sure I will miss some but I want to thank Jeff, Mark, Kerry, Byron, Matt, Chris, Tony, Barry, Jim, Troy, Tom, Vic, Tim, Bob and ALL the other PM members who have shared tips and advice over the years.
I have been predator hunting now for over 14 years. I was introduced to the sport by a co-worker and have been hooked since my very first stand. It was a grind in those lean, early, learning years. The learning curve was steep. But I am ornery and stubborn and stuck with it. I also began going to the PM conventions and getting more and more involved in the forums.
So it was a very proud moment for me when Bushman, Justin and I won the 2018 Santa Slay contest this weekend in Az. It was a culmination of a lot of hard work and effort. It wasn't easy, few contests are, but this one was esepcially tough because the rules required teams to hunt only on public land. We all know how hard coyotes are when they get pressure, so to have 28 teams chasing them around on public land added to the difficulty.
image000001 (12) by Jason Mosler, on Flickr
Having two great teammates sure doesn't hurt. We all spent a lot of time at the range with our rifles and it showed. Only one coyote that we got in the crosshairs got away. Five coyotes doesn't sound like a lot, but it got it done. We even added a bobcat for good measure, even though it didn't count towards our total. We also scouted a LOT of stands before hand to minimize lost time between set up and tear down. That was the ONLY way that we could run 42 stands in a day and a half. No wasted time. This was something that we have learned in other contests, like the World's, from some of the top callers.
image000001 by Jason Mosler, on Flickr
Anyone looking for advice on hunting predators has sure come to the right place. These great predator hunters are very generous with their time and advice. So take notes and give their tips a try.
I want to thank Ross Shores of Call-in the Country, for his effort in putting on the contest. He caught a lot of flack from protesters and had to jump through a lot of hoops to bring the contest together. His wife and father also were instrumental in making such a great event.
I also want to thank all of the sponsors including FoxPro, Hornady, Onx maps, Magpul, The Sportsman's Alliance, and all the others. It really takes a community to pull these things together.
Hunting contests might not be for everyone. I know it's a LOT of hard work and it's hard on the body. But being able to look at that buckle sure makes it worth it for me. Memories that I will never forget.
Mo
I also want to thank ALL of the PM community for their help and support. I have so many people to thank that I am sure I will miss some but I want to thank Jeff, Mark, Kerry, Byron, Matt, Chris, Tony, Barry, Jim, Troy, Tom, Vic, Tim, Bob and ALL the other PM members who have shared tips and advice over the years.
I have been predator hunting now for over 14 years. I was introduced to the sport by a co-worker and have been hooked since my very first stand. It was a grind in those lean, early, learning years. The learning curve was steep. But I am ornery and stubborn and stuck with it. I also began going to the PM conventions and getting more and more involved in the forums.
So it was a very proud moment for me when Bushman, Justin and I won the 2018 Santa Slay contest this weekend in Az. It was a culmination of a lot of hard work and effort. It wasn't easy, few contests are, but this one was esepcially tough because the rules required teams to hunt only on public land. We all know how hard coyotes are when they get pressure, so to have 28 teams chasing them around on public land added to the difficulty.
image000001 (12) by Jason Mosler, on FlickrHaving two great teammates sure doesn't hurt. We all spent a lot of time at the range with our rifles and it showed. Only one coyote that we got in the crosshairs got away. Five coyotes doesn't sound like a lot, but it got it done. We even added a bobcat for good measure, even though it didn't count towards our total. We also scouted a LOT of stands before hand to minimize lost time between set up and tear down. That was the ONLY way that we could run 42 stands in a day and a half. No wasted time. This was something that we have learned in other contests, like the World's, from some of the top callers.
image000001 by Jason Mosler, on Flickr Anyone looking for advice on hunting predators has sure come to the right place. These great predator hunters are very generous with their time and advice. So take notes and give their tips a try.
I want to thank Ross Shores of Call-in the Country, for his effort in putting on the contest. He caught a lot of flack from protesters and had to jump through a lot of hoops to bring the contest together. His wife and father also were instrumental in making such a great event.
I also want to thank all of the sponsors including FoxPro, Hornady, Onx maps, Magpul, The Sportsman's Alliance, and all the others. It really takes a community to pull these things together.
Hunting contests might not be for everyone. I know it's a LOT of hard work and it's hard on the body. But being able to look at that buckle sure makes it worth it for me. Memories that I will never forget.
Mo
