Big Lou
Active member
An early departure from work was upon me. I asked a coworker if h would like to go out and do a couple sets as he’s just getting into calling. He has a great attitude and character about him. Eager to learn and I’m happy to teach what o can. Off we went.
We had selected a spot where both of us had recently been seeing coyotes out and about. Once again, they were out and about. Completely negating any attack from their viewpoint. We decided to hit a spot that he hunts whitetails instead.
Hiking in one kilometre, we set up in the shadows of a dugout mound and got to calling. We heard some distant howls answer mine and continued with the sequence. At 21 minutes, I spied a pair break the tree line and they were coming hard to a fight sound. 100 yards out from the trees, they both veered and started swinging wide. Puzzled, I told my partner to get on the rifle and get ready for when I stopped them. I glanced behind us quickly, making sure there were no other coyotes closer. I saw a vehicle on the road doing an Austin Powers turn around. “That’s why they veered”. Back to the coyotes, “WHHHOOO”. They both came to a stop. “They’re 425ish”. “That far?” “Pretty sure. Just shoot before they get further out”. The 22-250 barked and I saw snow fly up in the coyotes feet. And they were gone.
“Sorry man”.
I just laughed. “No need to say sorry for missing out that far. That’s a long poke at a pretty small target. I should be apologizing that you had to shoot at one that far away if anything”. We had a chuckle and walked back to the truck.
The second set was a bust despite great sign. He had to go pick up his daughter so, I dropped him off and struck out on my own for a solo set.
I called and killed a double here before Christmas. Lots of tracks over the last 48 hours or so. Looks promising. It’s just a short walk in here and a snowmobile trail was a real treat to walk on. I reached my usual hide and deployed the caller only about 10 yards away. I can hide exceptionally well here and have shotgunned several. It plays really well into my hand.
I figured I’d skip howls and go right to some distress. Squeaky Squeak was the order of the day and I did a 15 sec teaser. I’d stayed quiet maybe a minute and a silver form materialized out of the trees. I slowly brought the shotgun up onto my knee and watched. It was looking for any indication of the prey it had heard. I dialled the volume way down and gave some mouse distress. With head snapped towards me and ears perked, one flick of the decoy was all it took. The coyote streaked in, covering the 125 yards in a flash. A downed tree blocked it from the decoy and as it turned broadside, I brought the shotgun into my shoulder. As the shotgun rocked and sent the payload of 4 Buck, I saw another coyote on the tree line as this one crumpled.
It wheeled back into the trees and I got on the dying coyote sounds. Moments later, I saw a coyote again on the tree line and another streaking towards me. I let the streaker get to about 30 yards as I lined up on the coyote standing in the trees. BOOM!!! CHOP!!! I watched my target tip over and swung to get on the streaker, now retreating. A smooth lead found me quickly and the trigger collapsed. BOOM!!! CHOP!!! A sliding snow plow stop.
I was just sitting there with a smile on face at what had just went down and pulled out my phone to take a video of the shotgunned coyote and the caller. I’d actually started the video and when I brought my phone up, there was a coyote standing in the background along the tree-line! “Crap! I’ve got to shoot this thing”. It took me waiting for a couple head turns but, finally got the rifle up and on it. BOOM!!! CHOP!!!
“What a fluke of a quad. I guess it’s true. It’s better to be lucky than good”.
I collected them for a photo and immediately sent an apology to my buddy for not taking him there first today. Hopefully he can make it out for a redo in the next couple of days.
We had selected a spot where both of us had recently been seeing coyotes out and about. Once again, they were out and about. Completely negating any attack from their viewpoint. We decided to hit a spot that he hunts whitetails instead.
Hiking in one kilometre, we set up in the shadows of a dugout mound and got to calling. We heard some distant howls answer mine and continued with the sequence. At 21 minutes, I spied a pair break the tree line and they were coming hard to a fight sound. 100 yards out from the trees, they both veered and started swinging wide. Puzzled, I told my partner to get on the rifle and get ready for when I stopped them. I glanced behind us quickly, making sure there were no other coyotes closer. I saw a vehicle on the road doing an Austin Powers turn around. “That’s why they veered”. Back to the coyotes, “WHHHOOO”. They both came to a stop. “They’re 425ish”. “That far?” “Pretty sure. Just shoot before they get further out”. The 22-250 barked and I saw snow fly up in the coyotes feet. And they were gone.
“Sorry man”.
I just laughed. “No need to say sorry for missing out that far. That’s a long poke at a pretty small target. I should be apologizing that you had to shoot at one that far away if anything”. We had a chuckle and walked back to the truck.
The second set was a bust despite great sign. He had to go pick up his daughter so, I dropped him off and struck out on my own for a solo set.
I called and killed a double here before Christmas. Lots of tracks over the last 48 hours or so. Looks promising. It’s just a short walk in here and a snowmobile trail was a real treat to walk on. I reached my usual hide and deployed the caller only about 10 yards away. I can hide exceptionally well here and have shotgunned several. It plays really well into my hand.
I figured I’d skip howls and go right to some distress. Squeaky Squeak was the order of the day and I did a 15 sec teaser. I’d stayed quiet maybe a minute and a silver form materialized out of the trees. I slowly brought the shotgun up onto my knee and watched. It was looking for any indication of the prey it had heard. I dialled the volume way down and gave some mouse distress. With head snapped towards me and ears perked, one flick of the decoy was all it took. The coyote streaked in, covering the 125 yards in a flash. A downed tree blocked it from the decoy and as it turned broadside, I brought the shotgun into my shoulder. As the shotgun rocked and sent the payload of 4 Buck, I saw another coyote on the tree line as this one crumpled.
It wheeled back into the trees and I got on the dying coyote sounds. Moments later, I saw a coyote again on the tree line and another streaking towards me. I let the streaker get to about 30 yards as I lined up on the coyote standing in the trees. BOOM!!! CHOP!!! I watched my target tip over and swung to get on the streaker, now retreating. A smooth lead found me quickly and the trigger collapsed. BOOM!!! CHOP!!! A sliding snow plow stop.
I was just sitting there with a smile on face at what had just went down and pulled out my phone to take a video of the shotgunned coyote and the caller. I’d actually started the video and when I brought my phone up, there was a coyote standing in the background along the tree-line! “Crap! I’ve got to shoot this thing”. It took me waiting for a couple head turns but, finally got the rifle up and on it. BOOM!!! CHOP!!!
“What a fluke of a quad. I guess it’s true. It’s better to be lucky than good”.
I collected them for a photo and immediately sent an apology to my buddy for not taking him there first today. Hopefully he can make it out for a redo in the next couple of days.
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