Tricks for running shots.

Redfrog

Redfrog

Moderator
I used to take running shots until one day I tripped and fell on my face. No more shooting while running for me.
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Regardless of how tempting the shot is, I try to advise my clients not to shoot when the target is moving. even a trotting coyote is not as easy to kill as it may seem when he's in your scope and seems to just hang there. Most of those shots land where he used to be.

A famous coyote caller once said "they always stop" and they do. When the adrenalin is flowing and it looks like an easy shot, it's hard to wait. But as some of know, firing too soon can cause issues a little later.

Pics of a tailgate or pics of a tailgate with dead coyotes is just not the same impact.

Any of you math geniuses ever figure out how much to lead a running coyote? Even if you know he's traveling directly broadside at 25 mph and your bullet left the barrel at 3200 fps. You had better know his exact distance at the time of the shot, as well as the wind direction and speed. you'll also have to factor uphill/downhill.

So do you take the running shots? Any tricks to try in the field?
 
Yes, ditch the "math". Lots of shooting, preferably with your main squeeze, is a key.
Mark
Edit..Im talking rifle..a shotgun on stand for the ones that want to snuggle up close is a good thing.
 
I don't shoot at running coyotes with a rifle very often.

I would rather shoot at a standing coyote with a rifle at 250 yards than a trotting coyote at 70 yards.

If the coyote is not in a hurry I give them the opportunity to stop.
 
After missing a few running shots, I finally connected on a couple and knew where I was. At about 120 yards on a broadside run with a 3200 neighborhood round I can say with pretty good certainty that an 18 ish inch lead in front of the hair is what is needed. In other words about half a coyote length seems to work. Quartering away at that distance I have connected by basically putting it on the leading edge of the hair with my 3400 fps 22-250. At 25 yards with my swift I have killed them on a moderate run by just aiming right behind the shoulder. What really blows my mind is the number I have killed running after missing them standing still
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Seems like you gotta lead em just enough you think you will shoot just in front of them.
 
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There are no "Tricks" for shooting a moving target....It takes understanding the math involved, as well as a bunch of practice....The average Coyote running is covering approximately 110 feet per second at 25 mph (I used to use a stop watch to check speeders before radar and our course was 110 ft)...To get practice, cover a tire with cardboard and figure out a way to have it rolling down hill at that speed and work on your timing until you can hit a 4" kill zone in the center of it...Then you will be qualified to make humane kills on a running Coyote...
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Of course, now you have to work out the speed of your bullet and the distance at which you are shooting...Longer distances equates to slightly more lead distance...
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I really do not shoot runners anymore....well hardly ever.
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But when I did shoot at them, I killed just enough to convince me that I could do it, so I kept on doing it. If I had to guess I'd say I killed about one in ten with one shot and likely another one in ten with a second shot.

With standing coyotes I miss about one in ten, so it didn't take me long to figure out I need to work on stopping them.

Now some runners are easier to hit than others. The straight aways are my preference over the broadside or quartering.

I remember one day out hunting with Mike Granger and I killed every coyote that took the straight away exit. Ok there was only one but I did get him with a head shot at just over 400 yds.....with a 223.
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And if I ever see another one do that, he'll get the same treatment.lol

 
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There is something about seeing a coyote doing a sliding face plant or tumbling cartwheels that I find extremely gratifying.
 
First you need to address angle of departure, angle of the wind, velocity of the wind, average bullet velocity over the distance, add in the moon pull effect, the Coriolis effect plus a WAG and pull the trigger.
 
Made my best running shot this year.. the Dog caught me off guard by coming in from an unanticipated direction.. and she caught me moving.... she bugged out, first shot hit just behind her.. a quick lead adjustment and the second sent her spinning... shot distance 220....
Feel in love with my rock river right then.... several more movers fell this year....

But I'm relatively new to calling and become impatient and often rush things...
I am getting better... stopped the last two for one shot kills.. but dead dogs are dead Dogs either way..
 
Dont know if its a trick or not,but let them get lined out.By this i mean if you can help it let them get up to speed and direction before you pull the trigger the first time.
 
What has worked best for me is to move through or swing through the target just like you do a shot gun. I bring my cross hairs up from behind and right through the coyote until that little voice tells you you have the right lead (lots of practice) then SQUEEZ the trigger. Thats right, dont jerk the trigger or all the work you just did will be for naught, you will miss! Also you must keep the rifle moving, don't stop when the rifle goes off but continue to swing. Dont worry you will see if you hit your target. I'm not saying Im some great running target shooter, but have been working on this techneak and I have improved a whole lot. Oh I almost forgot, you really need to keep both eyes open when shooting at a moving target. Try it you might like it!
 
Originally Posted By: crittr gittrWell I usually have to shoot 1 or 2 fouler shots when Their running then it's game on!
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Just two???
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Regards,
hm
 
I used to shoot a lot of running jackrabbits when I was younger. Shooting at moving critters really hasn't anything to do with figuring math equations, it's more about recognizing a sight picture. Also having a rifle that fits you right. You should be able to shoulder your rifle on a moving critter without taking your eyes off it and be met with a full sight picture with the cross hairs pretty much on target. After jump shooting a few hundred jackrabbits it becomes second nature. Honestly, a moving coyote at 75 yards or so was usually in big trouble.
 
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If you're moving at the same rate as the target then windage is the only factor. Unless shooting distracts from driving.
 
Shoot with both eyes open, swing through the coyote get in front of his nose and press the trigger as you continue the swing. The faster the bullet the easier the shot.
 
old turtle a coyote running at 25 mph is only going about 37 fps not 110 fps.110 fps is closer to 75mph
 
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